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@ plebdevs.com
2025-03-01 23:23:36Setting Up Git and GitHub: A Developer's Foundation
Lesson Overview
In this lesson, we'll establish one of the most important foundations of your development journey: version control with Git and GitHub. This knowledge will enable you to track your code, back it up in the cloud, and start building your developer portfolio.
Prerequisites
- Visual Studio Code installed
- Terminal/Command Line basics
- GitHub account (we'll create one in this lesson)
Key Learning Objectives
- Understand what Git and GitHub are and why they're essential
- Set up Git locally and connect it to GitHub
- Learn basic Git commands and workflow
- Create your first repository and commit
- Establish good Git habits for your developer journey
What is Git and GitHub?
Git: Your Local Version Control
- A version control system that tracks code changes over time
- Prevents accidental overwrites of your work
- Enables multiple developers to work on the same project safely
- Runs locally on your machine
GitHub: Your Code in the Cloud
- A web-based platform that extends Git
- Cloud storage for your code repositories
- Enables code sharing and collaboration
- Includes features like:
- Issue tracking
- Pull requests
- Project management tools
- Code review capabilities
Why Use GitHub?
1. Portfolio Building
- Acts as your "proof of work" as a developer
- Shows your coding activity through contribution graphs
- Demonstrates your consistency and dedication
- Serves as a public showcase of your projects
2. Collaboration and Learning
- Access millions of open-source projects
- Learn from other developers' code
- Contribute to real-world projects
- Get feedback on your code
- Work effectively in teams
3. Code Safety and Access
- All your code is safely stored in the cloud
- Access your projects from anywhere
- Never lose your work due to computer issues
Essential GitHub Terminology
| Term | Definition | |------|------------| | Repository (Repo) | A folder containing your project files and version history | | Commit | A saved change or addition to your code | | Staging | Marking changes to be included in your next commit | | Push | Sending your local commits to GitHub | | Branch | A separate version of your code for new features or experiments | | Pull Request (PR) | A request to merge changes from one branch to another | | Clone | Creating a local copy of a remote repository | | Fork | Creating your own copy of someone else's repository |
Hands-on Practice
Setting Up Git
- Install Git from https://git-scm.com/downloads
- Configure your identity:
bash git config --global user.name "Your Name" git config --global user.email "your.email@example.com"
Your First Repository
- Create a new repository on GitHub named "hello-world"
- Initialize Git locally:
bash git init git add . git commit -m "My first commit" git remote add origin <your-repository-url> git push -u origin main
Basic Git Workflow Quick Reference
Pushing Code to GitHub
```bash
1. Stage your changes
git add .
2. Commit your changes with a message
git commit -m "Describe your changes here"
3. Push to GitHub
git push ```
Getting Code from GitHub
```bash
If you already have the repository locally:
git pull
If you need to download a repository:
git clone https://github.com/username/repository.git ```
Building Good Habits
Daily Git Practice
- Make it a goal to push code every day
- Even small changes count
- Use your GitHub contribution graph as motivation
- Track your progress over time
Best Practices
- Commit often with clear messages
- Pull before you start working
- Push your changes when you finish
- Keep each project in its own repository
- Include README files to explain your projects
Common Issues and Solutions
"No upstream branch" Error
If you see this error when pushing:
bash git push --set-upstream origin mainChanges Not Showing Up
- Check if changes are staged:
bash git status - Make sure you've committed:
bash git commit -m "Your message" - Verify you've pushed:
bash git push
Exercise: Start Your Journey
- Create your GitHub account if you haven't already
- Set up Git locally using the commands we covered
- Create your first repository named "hello-world"
- Make your first commit
- Push your code to GitHub
- Make a habit of pushing code daily
Additional Resources
- GitHub Documentation
- Git Documentation
- Practice with GitHub Learning Lab
Next Steps
- Start tracking all your code projects with Git
- Begin building your portfolio on GitHub
- Join the open-source community
- Collaborate with other developers
Remember: Every developer started where you are now. The key is consistency and persistence. Make pushing code to GitHub a daily habit, and you'll be amazed at your progress over time.
Happy coding! 🚀