Git Basics

Learn the fundamental concepts of version control with Git - the foundation of modern software development.

What is Git?

Git is a distributed version control system that tracks changes in your code over time. It allows multiple developers to work on the same project without conflicts.

Key Concepts

Repository

A Git repository is a directory that contains your project files and the complete history of changes.

Commits

A commit is a snapshot of your project at a specific point in time. Each commit has a unique identifier and a message describing the changes.

Branches

Branches allow you to work on different features or experiments in isolation from the main codebase.

Basic Commands

bash

Initialize a new repository
git init
Clone an existing repository
git clone 
Check status of files
git status
Add files to staging area
git add 
git add .  # Add all files
Commit changes
git commit -m "Your commit message"
Push changes to remote repository
git push origin main

Best Practices

Write meaningful commit messages - Describe what and why, not how

Commit frequently - Small, focused commits are easier to understand

Use branches - Keep your main branch stable

Review before committing - Use git status and git diff to check changes

Next Steps

Once you're comfortable with basic Git operations, explore:

• Branching and merging strategies
• Collaborative workflows (GitFlow, GitHub Flow)
• Advanced Git commands and techniques