Git is a distributed version control system that tracks changes to files over time. It allows developers to maintain a complete history of their project, collaborate with others, and manage different versions of their code efficiently.
The basic Git workflow involves three main stages. First, you modify files in your working directory. Then you use git add to stage changes, preparing them for commit. Finally, git commit creates a permanent snapshot in your repository. You can also use git push to upload changes to a remote repository and git pull to download updates from others.
Git branches enable parallel development by creating isolated lines of work. You can create a new branch with git branch, switch to it with git checkout, and later merge changes back to the main branch. This allows multiple developers to work on different features simultaneously without interfering with each other's code.
GitHub is a cloud platform that hosts Git repositories remotely. You can clone repositories to download them locally, push your changes to share with others, and pull updates from collaborators. GitHub also provides Pull Requests, which allow you to propose changes and review code before merging it into the main branch.
To use Git effectively, follow these best practices: make small, logical commits with clear messages, always pull before pushing to avoid conflicts, use branches for new features, and never commit sensitive data like passwords. Remember the basic workflow: add, commit, push, and pull. With these fundamentals, you're ready to start using Git and GitHub for version control and collaboration.