Essential Git Commands for Software Development
So you want to be a software engineer? Git is one of the first tools you'll need to learn and master. Git is the back bone of version control allowing colleagues and individuals to manage code changes seamlessly. Let's explore Git's essential commands and how they help track, share, and maintain their work!
So what is Git and WHY should you use it?
Ahh Git! Git is a great control tool that helps developers manage project files and it keeps a history of all the changes you're making. It doesn't matter whether you're working by yourself or with a colleague. Git makes code management super smooth lets learn the tools needed to do so!
First steps
Lets get started: Setting up Git
1. Tell Git Who You Are:
- git config --global user.name (Your Name): This assigns your name to all future commits.
- git config --global user.email IE: (youremail@example.com): This assigns your email to future commits.
Verify your settings:
- git config --list: This is to verify your Git settings.
Starting a Repository
1. Create a new Git repository:
- git init: To initialize a new Git Repository in your project directory, this tells Git to start tracking changes.
CLONING :O
- git clone (Repository Url): This will make a local copy of a remote repository.
Making and Tracking Changes
1. Stage Changes:
- git status: Displays the state of your working directory
Adding and Saving Changes
git add (file): This stage changes to a specific file.
git add .: Is the stage all changes in the directory.
Your Commit Changes:
git commit -m "Your Message": This commit is staged changes with a message.
git commit --amend: Use this if you need to change or modify the message or to include missing files.
Commit History
Git helps you keep an exact record of every change you made to your project!
- git log: To view the commit history.
Branching and Merging
- git branch: List all branches or if you need to create a new branch.
Switch Between Branches:
git checkout (branch name): This is to switch to a branch.
git checkout -b (branch name): This is to create and switch to a new branch in ONE step!
Merge branches:
- git merge (branch name): This merges another branch into your current one.
Clean up old branches:
- git branch -d (branch name): This will delete the entire branch.
Teamwork Remote Repositories
1. Link To A Remote Repository
- git remote add (person) (url): This will link your local repo to a remote repo [This is my current link to a colleague to see who you're connected to use git remote -v]
2. Share your work:
- git push origin (branch name): This will upload the changes you made to a remote branch.
3. Lets Bring In The Updates
- git pull: This will merge changes from a colleague or any remote branch you're connected to.
4. Fetch With No Merging:
- git fetch: You can get updates from a colleague or any remote branch you're connected to without merging.
Did you mess up?
Lets undo changes!
1. Unstage changes:
Mistakes do happen but Git's undo commands will save the day!
git reset (file): This removes a file from the staging area WITHOUT deleting its changes.
2. Discard Changes Completely:
git reset --hard (commit): This rolls back to a previous commit and discarding all changes since then.
Undo a Specific Commit:
git revert (commit): Makes a new commit that undoes changes from a particular commit
Tagging and Tracking Milestones
Tags are important moments in your project!
1. Add a Simple Tag:
git tag(tag name): Tags the current commit.
2. Push Tags To Remote Repository
git push origin (tag name): Makes your tag accessible to a colleague.
Advanced Tools for Complex Workflows
Special scenarios Git can help with
1. Streamline Commit Histories:
git rebase (branch name): Moves your commits to a different base branch while keeping the same changes.
2. Pick specific commits:
git cherry-pick (commit): Makes changes from a specific commit onto your current branch.
3. Track All Repository Actions:
git reflog: Shows your history of all actions performed in your repository with resets.
Thats all Folks!
All the git commands listed above will help you navigate your role as a developer. You'll gain more control over your code and work flow whether its the simple commands or the more advanced ones! Use it to your benefit lets work smarter not harder!
Sources
https://cloudstudio.com.au/2021/06/26/git-command/
https://parade.com/947443/parade/best-friend-quotes/
https://www.cert-india.com/belbin-stack/leadership-and-teams
https://www.facebook.com/thebasics14/?locale=is_IS
https://education.github.com/git-cheat-sheet-education.pdf
https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/01/garden/01clones.html
https://www.archive360.com/blog/when-is-it-ok-to-delete-data
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Qz1GMpOtUY
https://depositphotos.com/photos/reset-button.html
https://godmetea.wordpress.com/2016/01/31/pencils-pens-and-undo-buttons/
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