Welcome to your first Git tutorial for beginners! As you probably know, Git is a software used for version control. Systems such as Git dedicated to version control, allow managing changes of information in various documents - websites, programs and other files and forms of gathered information. Git commands are easy to use, and that is one of the reasons for Git's popularity among developers. Git can be used for your work, but it is also a very convenient tool for collaboration, especially for the remote one.
Git is a system that works on a distributed version control principle. Unlike centralized version control systems, it does not need to rely on a central server to store different versions of a project. Instead, all the contributors - people who are working on the project - have the locally stored copies of the main repository.
This Git tutorial for beginners introduces the very basics of Git as a version control system, what is GIt, its working and interaction principles. You will see that it is a good idea to learn to operate the Git command line as it is a more powerful way to execute Git commands. You will learn what is Git Bash commands and Git shell and how they help run the commands.
Let's start with Git commands!
Contents
Git As a Version Control: Main Tips
- Git is one of the most popular choices among developers to track version changes made over time
- There is a number of additional tools to use with Git and its already pre-built GUI .
- Even though Git comes with GUI, it's a good idea to master its command line as it helps fully use all the functions of Git.
Git Benefits As A VCS
Why should you use Git and what are its main differences from the other Version Control Systems (VCS)?
All the companies use one or other type of version control system. For example, Local Version Control tool saves changes to the database on the local computer. Centralized Version Control tools use a shared server to store files, while the Distributed Version Control system distributes copies of the files to the clients who use it. This version is preferred by many because:
- It allows easier file sharing than the Local Version Control.
- It can eliminate issues that could occur if a server connection is lost under the Centralized Version Control system.
- All changes are recorded and difficult to lose.
The following tutorials will go into detail about how to get started with Git for keeping track of the applications you develop.
Getting Started - Git Tools
There are many ways to use Git and what is more, it has a number of different dedicated tools to use. For example, it might be a good idea to download some third-party Git GUI tools. On the other hand, Git comes with an already-built-in GUI, as well as other different tools. This tutorial will focus mainly on the command line.
Git CMD
As its name suggests, this is a command line prompt interpreter. If you currently use or have used Windows, you probably have seen one. If you have installed Git on Windows and are used to using CMD, you can use it for Git commands.
Git Bash
Bash in Git is an emulation of a Unix shell for Linux and Mac OS, so you can use it on Windows as well if you are used to Linux. Git Bash commands are run in Linux, while Windows have Git Shell command line.
Git GUI
Graphical User Interface (GUI) facilitates the usage of Git. You might not need to touch Git Bash, CMD or use command lines at all.
On the other hand, the built-in GUI has its own limitations. At first sight, it might look quite minimalistic. What is more, different GUI despite their capabilities can support only partial Git functionality. That is why this tutorial focuses on mastering Git command lines.
Git As a Version Control: Summary
- Developers often choose Git when they need to track and control version changes.
- Git has a number of third parties tools that can be implemented to and used in the system.
- Git has itw own GUi but it's not recommended to rely solely on it.