A Beginners' Guide to GitHub Basic Commands

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An easy guide for GitHub Basic Commands? Ready to dance with data, jive with JavaScript, or maybe twirl with Python? Then it’s time to make some rhythm with version control and GitHub! Just as a dancer moves to the beat, a developer navigates the world of code using GitHub. Let’s make this fun, engaging, and as smooth as gliding across a polished dance floor.

Buckle up your dancing shoes; we’re about to master the elegant art of the GitHub dance!

What is GitHub, the Ballroom of Coding?

GitHub is a platform where code does the salsa! It’s a site where developers store their projects and network with like minded folks. But the real magic is in its version control – it’s like a safety net when you’re performing those daring leaps. Made a mistake? Fall back to where you started with ease. Perfect for team performances, GitHub dances let multiple coders modify and develop projects simultaneously.

GitHub 101: Basic Commands to Know

Command 1: git clone <url>

git clone github.com/a-belda/yoursitelinkwhatever

Imagine this as the start of a practice session. ‘Cloning’ allows you to grab a repository (a code storage room) from GitHub and duplicate it onto your local machine. It’s like preparing your dance studio with all the necessary equipments before you start practicing your routines.

Command 2: git status

git status

Like checking your moves in the mirror, ‘git status’ gives you an overview of the changes you’ve made. It’s excellent for tracking which files are staged, unstaged, and unmodified.

Command 3: git add <filename> or git add .

git add filenamehere1.py

It’s time to execute your first dance sequence! ‘git add’ is your spotlight, it stages your changes, readying them for a commit. Git add . stages all file changes, but if you want to stage a specific file then use ‘git add <filename>’.

Command 4: git commit -m “message”

git commit -m "update on readme file"

Once you’ve added your changes, think of ‘git commit’ as completing a perfect dance move. It’s about finalizing the sequence, with a clear message describing the move or changes you’ve made. Include a significant message to keep track of your changes.

-git commit uses ‘-m’ as a flag for a message to set the commits with the content where the full description is included, and a message is written in an imperative sentence up to 50 characters long and defining “what was changed”, and “why was the change made”.

Command 5: git push origin master

git push 'remote_name' 'branch_name'

Imagine you’ve performed your dance routines flawlessly, and it’s time to take center stage. ‘git push origin master’ is your grand finale, pushing your committed changes onto the GitHub repository for all to see.

git push -u origin master

-git push -u origin master is used for pushing local content to GitHub.
-In the code, the origin is your default remote repository name and ‘-u’ flag is upstream, which is equivalent to ‘-set-upstream.’ and the master is the branch, name.upstream is the repository that we have cloned the project.
-Fill in your GitHub username and password.

Command 6: git pull

git pull 'remote_name' 'branch_name'

Spread those arms wide and gather your team in; ‘git pull’ keeps everyone in sync by updating your local directory with the latest changes from your GitHub repository.

What an exhilarating dance session, taking us right through the fundamental steps of GitHub commands! As with any sophisticated dance, practice makes perfect. So dive into this virtual ballroom, move to the rhythm of coding, and let the World Wide Web be your stage!

Remember, the GitHub dance is more of a marathon than a sprint. Keep practicing, keep exploring, and soon you will be the coding maestro trancing through the delightful and poised GitHub dance!