Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Mastering Git and GitHub with Cheat Sheet

What is Git?

Git is an open-source distributed version control system that helps developers track changes in their code over time. It allows:

• Version tracking: Save and access previous versions of your code.

• Collaboration: Work seamlessly with others on the same project.

• Branching and merging: Experiment with new features without affecting the main codebase.

Installing Git

1. Download Git: Visit git-scm.com and download the version for your OS.

2. Install Git: Follow the installation wizard.

3. Verify Installation: Open your terminal or command prompt and type:

    git --version
   

Basic Git Commands

1. Set up Git: Configure your username and email.

    git config --global user.name "Your Name"
    git config --global user.email "youremail@example.com"
   

2. Initialize a repository: Start version control for a project.

    git init
   

3. Check repository status: View changes in your project.

    git status
   

4. Stage changes: Add changes to be committed.

    git add <file_name>
    git add .  # Add all changes
   

5. Commit changes: Save your changes with a message.

    git commit -m "Your commit message"
   

6. View history: Check the history of commits.

    git log
   

7. Undo changes:

   • Unstage files: git reset <file_name>

Discard changes: git checkout -- <file_name>

Step-by-Step Workflow in Chart

What is GitHub?

GitHub is a cloud-based platform that hosts Git repositories. It makes sharing and collaboration on projects easier by providing tools for:

• Remote repositories: Store code online for access from anywhere.

• Collaboration: Manage pull requests, issues, and contributions.

• Showcasing work: Share your projects with the world.

Getting Started with GitHub

1. Create an account: Sign up at github.com.

   

2. Create a repository:

   • Go to the GitHub dashboard.

   • Click on New Repository and fill in the details.

3. Clone a repository: Download a GitHub repository to your local machine.

    git clone <repository_url>
   

4. Push changes: Upload local changes to GitHub.

    git remote add origin <repository_url>
    git branch -M main
    git push -u origin main
   

5. Pull changes: Sync your local repository with the remote.

    git pull
   

Essential GitHub Features

1. Fork and Pull Requests:

   • Fork a repository to create your copy.

   • Make changes and submit a pull request to contribute to the original repository.

2. Issues: Report bugs or request features.

3. GitHub Pages: Host static websites directly from your repositories.

Git and GitHub Cheat Sheet

Common Git Commands

• Set up Git:

    git config --global user.name "Your Name"
    git config --global user.email "youremail@example.com"
  

• Initialize Repository:

    git init
  

• Check Status:

    git status
  

• Add Changes:

    git add <file_name>
    git add .
  

• Commit Changes:

    git commit -m "Your message"
  

• View Log:

    git log
  

• Undo Changes:

    git reset <file_name>
    git checkout -- <file_name>
  

• Push Changes:

    git push -u origin main
  

• Pull Updates:

    git pull
  

Essential GitHub Actions

• Clone Repository:

    git clone <repository_url>
  

• Create Branch:

    git branch <branch_name>
    git checkout <branch_name>
  

• Merge Branch:

    git merge <branch_name>
  

• Create Pull Request: Use the GitHub interface.

• Manage Issues: Track bugs or feature requests directly on GitHub.

Tips for Beginners

1. Use descriptive commit messages: They help others understand your changes.

2. Learn branching: Create separate branches for features or fixes.

    git branch <branch_name>
    git checkout <branch_name>
   

3. Use .gitignore: Exclude unnecessary files from version control.

4. Explore GitHub Docs: GitHub’s documentation is an excellent resource.