Terminology
When working with Git and GitHub, you'll come across some important terms that you need to know. Let's break down these terms in a way that’s easy to understand.
Repository
A repository, often called a "repo," is like a special folder where all your project files, history, and different versions are stored. It keeps everything organized and makes it easy to work with others on the same project.
You can have a repo on your own computer, or you can store it online using sites like GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket.
Commit
A commit is like taking a picture of your project at a certain point in time. It saves all the changes you've made, so you can look back at them later or undo them if needed.
Every commit has its own unique ID, called an "SHA" which helps you find that specific version again.
Branch
A branch is like a separate path where you can work on new features or fix problems without changing the main project.
Imagine you’re writing a story - you can create a new branch to try out a different ending without messing up the original story. When you're happy with the changes, you can merge the branch back into the main project.
Merge
Merging is when you take changes from one branch and add them to another. It’s like taking the new ending you wrote and adding it to the main story.
Git helps combine everything smoothly, even if different people are working on the project at the same time.
Pull
Pulling is when you get the latest updates from an online repo and add them to your local project on your computer. It’s like grabbing the newest version of a shared document from the cloud to make sure you’re working with the most up-to-date information.
Push
Pushing is when you send your changes from your computer to the online repo, so everyone else can see what you’ve done. It’s like uploading your homework to a shared folder so your classmates can check it out or work on it together.
Fork
Forking is when you make a personal copy of someone else’s project repo, usually on a site like GitHub. It’s like making a copy of a shared document so you can experiment with it on your own without affecting the original.
Pull Request
A pull request (PR) is like asking permission to add your changes to the main project. You send a pull request to the project’s owner or team, and they review your changes. If they agree, they’ll merge your changes into the main project. It’s a way to collaborate and make sure everyone’s on the same page.
Conclusion
These terms might seem new, but with a bit of practice, they’ll start to make sense. This section covers the basics like repository, commit, branch, merge, pull, push, fork, and pull request. Once you understand these, you'll be ready to use Git to work on projects and collaborate with others.
Happy coding! 💻⌨️