Git Tutorial

Git Tutorial

Git tutorial Overview: Git was created by Linus Torvalds in 2005. Today, Git is a Microsoft-owned company after the approval of the CEO of the EU.

In this tutorial, we will understand the distributed version control system Git with the help of some examples as well as Github. These examples can be performed on various operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux (Ubuntu).

What is Git?

Git is a Version Control System primarily written in C, Perl, Python, and TCL. A Version Control System is a system that records modifications made in the file or set of files over a time so that you can recall specific versions later.

These days, Git is closely associated with an online Version Control System called Github, developed and owned by Microsoft. It is widely used for accessing, hosting, and contributing to projects. It is open-source distributed software. Git software can also handle everything from very small to large projects with appropriate speed and efficiency. It is easy to learn and has a tiny footprint with lightning-fast performance. The version control system allows us to monitor and work together when a team has undertaken any project that requires coordination. Git also allows us to manage codes or repositories at the same workplace.

Repository:

A repository is a container that contains data. It is more likely a file in the repository, to be precise. A repository can also be assumed as a warehouse of projects where we can easily store and manages different types of files present in it. It is a folder that may contain codes or documentation related to any project that is being taken into account. A repository can be easily modified if it personal or individual provided it comes with an MIT Licence or GPL license which is a kind of a security feature that may grant or revoke control of accessibility. Also, a repository can be made private or open-source depending on the nature or objective of the project.

Let us now look at some of the features of Git:

Open Source: It is an open-source distributed version control system released under the General Public Licence (GPL).

Decentralized and Distributed: Git enables multiple users from any part of the world to manage the work at the same workplace irrespective of the distance or technology.

Scalable: Scalability is the property of Git by the virtue of which a programmer using Git as VCS can extend its size, versions, or reduce it.

Shareable: Since it is an open-source VCS, it can easily handle multiple users at the same time i.e. whenever a member in the team needs to access the code or file of another user, Git can allow him/her to do that conveniently.

Security: Git is a safe ground to play. It comes with SHA1( Secure Hash Function) which identifies names and objects in the repository. The changes made at any point of time are checked and retrieved by checksum at the time of checkout. It also manages the history of changes made within the repository by any user who can access it. Once the changes are published, no one can revert to the previous version.

Parallel Development Environment: Git enables its users to seamlessly merge and branch repositories. By merging and branching we mean to state that whenever two members are working on the same aspect of the project repository, it can individually manage changes made by both the users on the same repository by branching or merging the changes that have to be combined in the same file or code module.

Data Integrity: The Git data model uses the SHA algorithm which is widely known to provide cryptographic integrity and safety to every unit of the project. It provides a unique ID to every change made in a repository.

Staging Area: It is the unique feature of Git that enables the users to preview the next commits. Commits are the changes that one makes within a repository. Therefore, the staging area acts as an intermediate where commits are formatted and reviewed before pushing or merging. Whenever any changes are made, Git takes these changes to the staging area where and terms it a new commit. It also allows us to add and remove changes in the staging area.

Advanced History Management: Git enables its users to manage history through Git Rebase. It is one of the most important features of Git which allows to fetch the latest changes made from the master branch and puts the code on top of that thereby maintaining a clean history of the commits.

Prerequisites

Since Git is not a programming language, so the prior knowledge of basic commands just like the CLI commands is good to go. Although, Linux users may find Git a bit more comfortable to use since the knowledge and experience of Linux adds an advantage of being familiar with the interface Git uses.

Audience

This tutorial gives the sole idea for beginners and professional to get started with Git. This tutorial is solely intended for those individuals who are quite new to Git or Github and want to learn it from scratch. It is also suitable for professionals who are quite familiar to use this tutorial for their reference.

Problem

The tutorial covers Git related topics with friendly explanations; therefore you needn’t worry about the difficulties. If you find anything problem, please let us know in the comment section below.