Understanding Git
A Comprehensive Guide
This article provides a comprehensive introduction to Git, covering key concepts and best practices.
Understanding Git
Introduction to Git
Do You Know: Git is a distributed version control system, meaning every developer has a full copy of the repository.
Version control: Centralized vs. distributed
Centralized version control systems (like SVN) have a single central repository. Distributed systems (like Git) allow every developer to have a local copy of the entire repository.
Important Note: Understanding the difference between centralized and distributed version control is crucial for effective collaboration.
Key concepts: Repository, commits, branches, and merges
A repository is a storage location for your project's files and their history. A commit is a snapshot of your changes at a specific point in time. Branches allow you to work on new features or bug fixes in isolation. Merging combines changes from different branches.
# Create a new branch
git checkout -b new-feature
# Make changes and commit
git add .
git commit -m "Added new feature"
# Switch to main branch
git checkout main
# Merge new-feature into main
git merge new-feature
Avoid This: Forgetting to commit your changes before switching branches can lead to data loss.
Summary
- Git is a powerful distributed version control system.
- Understanding commits, branches, and merges is essential for effective Git usage.
- Always commit your changes regularly to avoid data loss.