What is Github?A guide

Such terms as Git, GitHub or GitLab are completely unknown to the majority and after getting acquainted with them there is a need to search for additional information, then this article is what you need. The goal is to convey information in a form that is understandable for each user. Familiarize and explain in detail where you can download the version control system (Git) and repositories (GitHub, GitLab). Basic commands, operations and working principles. 

Let’s start with eliciting some terms.

Definition of Git

Git is a system for managing and controlling versions. It is the most popular and free tool that stores the code and its change history.

The main tasks of Git include:

• saving code and history of changes;
• saving information about users who change the code;
• the ability to roll back the code to any version;
• the ability to combine different versions, version changes;
• preparation of the final code for release.

GitHub is one of various Git-based services. For easier understanding, you can imagine a social network for developers, where they review each other's codes, help in development, leave comments, etc.

GitHub allows:

• save the code;
• use tools for collaborative work;
• evaluate the works of other developers;
• create private and public repositories (a fee is charged for private repositories – use by three or more people).

GitHub is also a Git repository storage and management tool that allows its users:

• interact with repositories;
• manage access rights;
• track errors;
• automate processes and much more;
• integration with various CI systems is possible.

Let's start by registering an account and creating a repository.

This can be done completely without spending money, it is enough to go to the link https://github.com/ . Depending on the goals, you can choose both a free and a paid tariff plan.

The registration process is quick, you only need to enter username/password and e-mail. You should also expect that the site will ask for a small verification and perform a simple test. Next, you need to enter a confirmation code that will be sent to the specified e-mail.

After registration, you can create a repository (click the «+» button and then «New repository»), in other words, a place where data will be stored and maintained. Next, you need to enter a name, select the «Public» or «Private» radio button, and click the «Create Repository» button.

In general, data is stored in the form of files. They can then be distributed over the network. GitHub has the ability to create private repositories that will be accessible only to the owner and selected people.

You can also create your own branch from a repository that already exists. Working with it does not affect the central repository or other branches. Then, if desired, you can propose changes to the author of the initial repository (pull request).

In order to create a defect in GitHub, you need to select the desired repository and click the «Issues» tab, then click the «New issue» button. Next, you need to enter all the attributes and click the «Submit new issue» button. In such a ticket, the name and description can be edited separately, and the entire history of changes is public.

Let's now consider the process of downloading and installing GitHub Desktop.

GitHub Desktop is a tool that allows you to manage a Local Repository on a PC. You can download this tool from the link https://desktop.github.com/

After that, you need to sign in to GitHub Desktop to connect it to your GitHub account.

After successfully logging in to GitHub Desktop, you can see that the «Local repository» is empty. You can download it through the «File» menu, then click the «Clone repository» button and select the required one. Next, you need to select «Local Path», where the local repository will be stored, and click the «Clone» button. After these actions, a clone will be created, which will be stored in the local path chosen during copying.

Now it is possible to add a file to the repository, this can be done in the «Code» tab. After changing one or more files, everything will be reflected in GitHub Desktop.

If you need to add changes to the cloud repository, you need to enter a short description of the modifications themselves, as well as select the file that needs to be uploaded and click the «Commit to main» button.

After that, all changes are saved locally to the «main» branch. To download them and save them on the cloud, you need to click the «Publish branch» button (if the changes to the repository are happening for the first time) and the «Push origin» button (if they were made in files located and saved locally). In the cloud, it is possible to see all changes.

You can also work with the repository through the terminal, in addition to working with the local one in GitHub Desktop.

Then the Git must be installed.

It can be done by following  https://git-scm.com/.

NOTE! During installation, you need to choose a path to the directory without spaces and Cyrillic.

After that, there will be two possibilities to work with the repository:

1. Git bash here.
2. Git GUI here.

First, consider the first version of working with the repository in the console. To do this, you need to open it.

To create a repository, you need to write the git init command, after which it will be created in the root folder. Next, it is necessary to perform the initial setup in order to see the developer making changes to the cloud. This is achieved with the command git config – global user.name «your_name». This way you can provide a single username for all repositories. To do this for just one, remove the word global from the command.

Now it is necessary to configure the email thanks to the command git config – global user.email «email_address». After making the settings, you can make sure that all changes have been saved and written, thanks to the git config – list command.

Here is a list of terminal commands you need to know:

• git clone – clone repository;

git clone user.name@host:/way/to/repository

• git status – show the status of files in the working directory;

git status

• git add – add the contents of the working directory to the index (staging area) for further commit;

git add temp.txt

This command adds a file named temp.txt, which is present in the local directory, to the index.

• git commit – command for committing changes in project files;

git commit –m “Message along with the commit”

• git push – commits the changes to the master branch of the remote repository that is linked to the working directory.

git push origin master

And also:

• git init is a command to create a GIT repository;

git init

• git branch – command to display, create, or delete branches. To display all branches in the repository, type:

git branch

In order to delete the branch, one needs

git branch –d <branch_name>

• git merge is a command to merge the branch into the active one 

git merge <branch_name>

• git checkout is used for creating branches and switching between them.

You can create a new branch and switch to it with the following command:

command git checkout -b <branch_name>

In order to switch between branches, one must use:

git checkout <branch_name>

Example: with the help of commands in the «New folder» folder one of the old files was deleted, another folder named «New folder» and the «New file.txt» file were created and the  «Second new file.txt» file was added to the «New folder» folder.

Now we can consider the second way of working with Github, namely using Git GUI Here.

To get started, you need to create a repository or use an existing one and copy the link for remote access. After opening, it is possible to get three options for working with repositories:

1. Create a new repository.
2. Clone an existing one.
3. Open the one that already exists.

You need to enter the name of the new repository and click the «Create» button. Then, a window where you can commit changes and upload them to the cloud on Github will open for further work. In order to do this, you must first configure remote access. First, you need to open the «Remote» tab, then select the «Add» item. In the «Name» line, enter any name, and in the «Location» field, you must specify the link to the repository that was previously copied. Next, click the «Add» button.

After setting up remote access, a corresponding message will be displayed.

Now after implementing changes on the local machine, they will be displayed in the «Unstaged Changes» section after clicking the «Rescan» button.

In order to view the changes, just click on the file name. If you need to commit them, you need to transfer the file to the «Staged Changes (Will Commit)» section – click on the icon in front of the file name. Then it remains only to write what this commit is needed for in the «Commit message» field (required) and press the «Commit» button to save local changes. Then click the «Push» button to upload the changes to GitHub. The «Push Branches» window will open, where you can select the branch to which you need to push the changes and press the «Push» button. This will start the process of downloading them. On Github, you can make sure that the result is successful.

This article discussed concepts such as Git, GitHub, and GitLab. Working with this tool is quite difficult for a beginner, but in the case of a logical and correct understanding, the system opens up from another simple side.