Git Documentation

Introduction

Git is a distributed version control system (DVCS) that allows multiple developers to collaborate on a project efficiently. It tracks changes to files and enables seamless collaboration by providing tools for branching, merging, and version control. This documentation serves as a guide to understanding and using Git effectively.

Table of Contents

1. Installation
2. Configuration
3. Basic Usage
   • Creating a Repository
   • Committing Changes
   • Branching
   • Merging
   • Working with Remotes
4. Advanced Topics
   • Git Workflow
   • Resolving Conflicts
   • Git Hooks
   • Git Submodules
5. Additional Resources

1. Installation <a name="installation"></a>

To install Git, follow these steps:

1. Visit the official Git website: https://git-scm.com.
2. Download the appropriate installer for your operating system.
3. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
4. After the installation is complete, open a terminal or command prompt and verify the installation by running the following command:

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git --version

If Git is properly installed, the installed version will be displayed.

2. Configuration <a name="configuration"></a>

Before using Git, it is recommended to configure your username and email address. This information will be associated with your commits.

Use the following commands to configure your Git username and email:

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git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "your.email@example.com"

You can also set configuration options specific to a project by omitting the --global flag and running the commands inside the project's directory.

3. Basic Usage <a name="basic-usage"></a>

Creating a Repository <a name="creating-a-repository"></a>

To create a new Git repository, navigate to the desired directory and run the following command:

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git init

This will initialize an empty Git repository in the current directory.

Committing Changes <a name="committing-changes"></a>

To commit changes to a Git repository, follow these steps:

1. Add the files you want to include in the commit using the git add command:

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   git add file1.txt file2.txt
   

2. Commit the changes with a descriptive message:

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   git commit -m "Add new features"
   

Branching <a name="branching"></a>

Git allows you to create branches to work on separate features or bug fixes. To create a new branch, use the following command:

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git branch branch-name

Switch to the new branch with:

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git checkout branch-name

You can also create and switch to a new branch in a single command:

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git checkout -b branch-name

Merging <a name="merging"></a>

To merge changes from one branch into another, use the git merge command:

1. Switch to the target branch:

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   git checkout target-branch
   

2. Merge the changes from the source branch:

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   git merge source-branch
   

Working with Remotes <a name="working-with-remotes"></a>

Git allows you to work with remote repositories. To collaborate with others, you can clone an existing repository, push changes to a remote repository, and pull changes from a remote repository.

Here are some common commands for working with remotes:

• Cloning a repository:

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  git clone <repository-url>
  

• Pushing changes to a remote repository:

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  git push <remote> <branch>
  

• Pulling changes from a remote repository:

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  git pull <remote> <branch>
  

4. Advanced Topics <a name="advanced-topics"></a>

Git Workflow <a name="git-workflow"></a>

Git supports various workflows to organize collaboration among developers. Some popular workflows include the Centralized Workflow, Feature Branch Workflow, and Forking Workflow. Research and choose a workflow that best suits your project requirements.

Resolving Conflicts <a name="resolving-conflicts"></a>

Conflicts can occur when merging branches or pulling changes. Git provides tools to help resolve conflicts manually. When a conflict arises, Git marks the conflicting sections in the affected files. Open the files and choose the desired changes, then commit the resolved files.

Git Hooks <a name="git-hooks"></a>

Git hooks are scripts that Git can execute before or after certain actions, such as committing changes or pushing to a remote repository. Hooks allow you to automate tasks or enforce specific rules. Hooks reside in the .git/hooks directory of your repository.

Git Submodules <a name="git-submodules"></a>

Git submodules enable you to include other Git repositories as subdirectories within your own repository. This feature is useful when you want to include external dependencies while keeping them separate from your main project. Submodules allow you to track specific versions of external code.

5. Additional Resources <a name="additional-resources"></a>

• Git Documentation: Official Git documentation with comprehensive guides and references.
• Git Cheat Sheet: A handy cheat sheet with frequently used Git commands.
• Pro Git Book: A free online book covering Git concepts and workflows in detail.
• GitHub Guides: Guides provided by GitHub, covering various Git and GitHub-related topics.

Refer to these resources for further information and to deepen your understanding of Git and its capabilities.