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Git Basics for Beginners

July 10, 20255 min read
Git Basics for Beginners

Git is a distributed version control system that has revolutionized how developers manage code. If you`re new to Git, this guide will help you understand the fundamentals and get started with version control.

Want to try Git without installing anything? Check out our Git Commit Downloader tool on our homepage to explore Git repositories easily.

What is Git?

Git is a free and open-source distributed version control system designed to handle everything from small to very large projects with speed and efficiency. Git allows multiple developers to work on the same codebase simultaneously without stepping on each other`s toes.

Key Concepts

Repository

A Git repository (or repo) is a storage location for your project. It contains all of your project`s files and the entire revision history. You can create a new repository or clone an existing one.

$ git init

# or

$ git clone https://github.com/username/repository.git

Commits

A commit is a snapshot of your repository at a specific point in time. It`s like saving your progress in a video game. Each commit has a unique identifier and includes information about what changes were made, when, and by whom. Learn more about working with commits in our guide on downloading file changes for specific commits.

$ git add .

$ git commit -m "Add new feature"

Branches

Branches allow you to develop features, fix bugs, or experiment with new ideas in a contained area of your repository. The main branch is usually called "main" or "master".

$ git branch feature-branch

$ git checkout feature-branch

# or in one command

$ git checkout -b feature-branch

Basic Git Workflow

  1. Make changes to your files
  2. Stage your changes with git add
  3. Commit your changes with git commit
  4. Push your changes to a remote repository with git push

This is just the beginning of what Git can do. As you become more comfortable with these basics, you can explore more advanced features like merging, rebasing, and resolving conflicts.

Stay tuned for more Git tutorials on our blog! If you're ready to dive deeper, check out our article on Advanced Git Workflows.

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