How to Use GitHub

GitHub is an online platform that allows developers to collaboratively work on projects. It offers features like version control, issue tracking, and the ability to host both public and private repositories. Whether you’re just getting started with GitHub or looking to brush up on your skills, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

Creating a GitHub Account

The first step to using GitHub is to create an account. Go to github.com and click on the “Sign up” button in the top right corner. You’ll need to provide your name, a username, an email address, and a password. Once you’ve filled out the required fields, click on the “Create account” button.

Creating a Repository

A repository is where you store your project’s code and any associated files. To create a new repository, go to your GitHub homepage and click on the “New” button. You’ll be prompted to name your repository and provide a description. You can also choose whether to make it public or private. Once you’ve filled out the required fields, click on the “Create repository” button.

Cloning a Repository

If you want to work on a repository that someone else has already created, you’ll need to clone it to your own computer. To do this, go to the repository’s page on GitHub and click on the “<> Code” button. You’ll be given a URL that you can use to clone the repository using Git. Open up your terminal and navigate to the directory where you want to store the repository. Then, enter the following command:

git clone [repository URL]

Adding Files to a Repository

Once you’ve cloned a repository, you can start adding files to it. If you’re starting a new project, you’ll need to create a new file. To do this, navigate to the repository directory on your computer and create a new file using your text editor of choice. If you’re working on an existing project, you can simply edit existing files.

Once you’ve made changes to a file, you’ll need to stage and commit the changes. Staging a file is like putting it in a holding area before you commit it. To stage a file, use the following command:

git add [file name]

Once you’ve staged all the files you want to commit, use the following command to commit the changes:

git commit -m "commit message"

Pushing Changes to GitHub

Once you’ve committed your changes, they’re still only stored on your local computer. To push the changes to GitHub, use the following command:

git push

This will upload all the changes you’ve made to your repository on GitHub.

Branching and Merging

Branching allows you to create multiple versions of your code and work on them independently. To create a new branch, use the following command:

git branch [new branch name]

Once you’ve created a new branch, you can switch to it using the following command:

git checkout [new branch name]

You can now make changes to your code on this new branch without affecting the original code on the master branch. Once you’re done making changes, you can merge your new branch back into the master branch using the following command:

git merge [new branch name]

Pull Requests

If you’re working on a repository with other people, you may need to submit pull requests to have your changes reviewed and merged into the main codebase. To submit a pull request, go to the repository’s “Pull requests” tab on GitHub and click on the “New pull request” button. You’ll be prompted to choose the branch you want to merge into and the branch you want to merge from. You can also provide a description of the changes you’ve made. Once you’re ready, click on the “Create pull request” button.

Wrapping Up

GitHub is a powerful tool for developers that allows for collaborative work on projects of all shapes and sizes. With this guide, you should now have a good understanding of how to create and use GitHub, as well as some of the key concepts involved in working with repositories and branches. So get out there and start coding!