Optimising Git Usage: Essential Tips for Efficient Code Management from Local to Global

Hello aspiring developers!

Embarking on your software development journey means embracing tools like GitHub, a powerful platform that fosters collaboration and version control. This article is designed to guide beginners in the art of using GitHub commands effectively, ensuring smoother collaboration and better code management.

1. Creating a New Branch for Development:

When starting a new feature or addressing an issue, creating a new branch helps keep your work isolated from the main codebase. Use the following commands:

# Create a new branch and switch to it
git checkout -b new-feature

# Push the new branch to the remote repository
git push origin new-feature

2. Always Pull from Origin:

Before starting any development, ensure you're working with the latest code. Pulling from the remote repository prevents conflicts down the line:

# Switch to your development branch
git checkout new-feature

# Pull the latest changes from the remote repository
git pull origin new-feature

3. Committing Only Necessary Files:

Keep your commits focused and concise by only including relevant changes. Use git status to see modified files and git add to stage them:

# Stage specific files for commit
git add file1.js file2.css

# Commit the staged changes
git commit -m "Implemented feature X and updated styling"

4. Adding a Proper Commit Message:

Writing informative commit messages helps you and your collaborators understand the purpose of each change. Follow this format:

git commit -m "Short description of your changes

More detailed explanation, if needed.
Issue #123"

5. Resolving Merge Conflicts via Terminal:

Conflicts can arise when merging branches. To resolve them:

# Fetch the latest changes from the remote repository
git fetch origin

# Switch to your development branch
git checkout new-feature

# Merge the changes from the main branch
git merge origin/main

# Resolve any conflicts in your code files

# After resolving, commit the changes
git commit -m "Resolved merge conflicts"

# Push the resolved changes to the remote repository
git push origin new-feature

Remember, practice makes perfect. Embrace these GitHub commands in your workflow to streamline collaboration and manage your codebase effectively. As you become more comfortable, you'll find yourself contributing seamlessly to projects and collaborating with confidence.

Happy coding! 🚀👩‍💻👨‍💻