“What is GitHub?”is a question people commonly ask. That search made on Google has generated almost 600+ million results. It is a well-known name in the computer world, even if you are not a programmer.
If you have never used GitHub, It can be a little confusing task. People normally ask for question like, does it offer online storage? A website for developers to socialize? A place for third-party apps? The answer is yes, and here we will explain it all to you.
To better solve the queries like “What is GitHub used for?” and “How does GitHub work?” we came up with complete guide. Let’s explore the truth about GitHub and how it can benefit new programmers.
What is GitHub?
Source: medium.com
GitHub is a platform for online application development. Developers and professionals use this when they want to archive and monitor while working together. With these simple solutions, professionals from different regions can work together by exchanging source codes and working on this open-source applications.
GitHub is a go-to place for collaborative software development projects where others can consider in on different aspects and help solve the core issues in the code or application. Since it was made in 2008, there are now millions of subscribers and profiles on GitHub.
The main reason for this is that people worked together on it. This free service offers many beneficial features for working in real-time when exchanging code and collaborating with other developers.
GitHub invites users to create a personal/professional profile. They can use this to create their brand for promotional purposes and its code-related features. You can look at different profiles and see which projects they are working on or have collaborated on, just like how LinkedIn profile shows work experience with different companies.
GitHub functions as a special kind of social network for programmers and encourages teamwork in creating websites and software. This is the most important reason for any budding software developer to search online for GitHub, asking, “What is GitHub?”.
What is GitHub Used for and Its Features
Source: simplilearn.com
Following is a few of the most prominent features thanks to the open-source nature of GitHub.
- Project Management Made Easy – Professionals from all walks of life can collaborate on projects using GitHub. Updates can be made to collaborative projects as they are planned and tracked.
- Improved Package Safety: Packages can be shared with the public, kept secret from the team, or both. If shared with others, they can download the package files and repurpose them for their use and the features they want to employ.
- Streamlined Team Management – GitHub allows its users to stay coordinated and keep working on the same level having access to most tools and codes. When coding, features like locking Issues and Pull Requests can be used as moderating tools to help people work on one thing at a time.
- Improved Written Codes – Just as in streamlined collaboration, organizations can also use Pull requests to facilitate examining and creating new programs. The collaborative effort helps to discuss modifications and actual implementations in the source code.
- Secure Code – GitHub uses AI and other specialized tools to help users find flaws and errors in their codes and suggest best practices from years of experience. This collaboration also safeguards the integrity of the distribution of source codes. Any changes are clear due to the proper functioning of these tools.
- With Simple Hosting Code, you can find all the information and code in one place and have access to millions of Repos, each of which is built into the platform with its own set of tools. These tools make hosting and disseminating code a lot more natural and user-friendly. This dissemination helps answer their query of “What is GitHub used for?”.
A GitHub Use Case Scenario
Source: medium.com
Let’s look at the situation with Decathlon, the world’s most significant athletic products retailer. With more than 87,000 people, the corporation operates more than 1600 outlets throughout 57 locations.
No matter how big or small a firm is, problems and hurdles will always arise. The issues Decathlon is facing can best be summed up as follows:
- How will the business prevent redundancy amongst all these sizable teams and retain operational accessibility?
- How will the business find programmers for a wide range of locations?
GitHub is here to help! In addition to being an inexpensive tool, GitHub has a fantastic open-source ecosystem. As a cloud-based solution, the code is easily accessible to the customer, supporting participation from all users.
Git’s version control system, or VCS, is the most effective component for solving Decathlon’s two issues. So, if you want to know more about how GitHub work and its uses does, let’s deepen our understanding of GitHub by learning more about Git and then the Git version control systems and discovering why they are such game-changers.
What is Git?
Source: medium.com
Now that you know the answer to “What is GitHub?” and how it works let’s see what works behind it to give it full support. Git is popular tool developers use for managing and tracking file modifications.
It is an open-source version management system and may handle any large project. Git is most frequently utilized by professionals in monitoring the available code files within different Repos.
What is Version Control in Git?
Source: medium.com
Consider version control as the “Version History” functionality in most cloud-based tools and platforms. For example, in Google Docs and its other apps in Google Workspace, you can see different collaborators making changes clearly shown in the history panel. Microsoft Office also has a function called the “Track Changes” tool in different documents and platforms.
The Git version-control system, as its names imply, is a system that maintains track of all the changes made to a file or set of data so that, if one is required later, you may retrieve a particular version.
Why is Version Control Helpful for Coding?
Source: github.blog
It is typical for developers to make amendments routinely and continuously to their code during the software development cycle. These changes can either add features or address different errors and bugs.
It’s not a good idea to make changes in real time because it will affect other people who are using the tools. Instead, developers can download their copy of the code on a local machine and make changes after extensively testing different scenarios.
That is the purpose of Git. When a programmer wishes to alter a piece of software, they:
- Download their version of the programming language and source code from the Repo, where it is kept centrally, to their own computer.
- Make secure alterations to their version.
- Reconcile their updated version to the Repo’s program code.
- Include notes outlining the modifications.
It is simpler to notice when developers make modifications rather than just certain, more minor modifications, thanks to GitHub.
How to Start Using GitHub – How Does GitHub Work Flawlessly?
Source: medium.com
Are you familiar with how does GitHub work? Here is a starting point. Just a brief reminder: Since Git uses the terminal as its user interface, you should become familiar with the command prompt before dealing with GitHub.
1. Install GIT
Download Git’s most recent edition on your computer. To work with your Repo, you must have Git loaded. Follow the instructions on the Git website to accomplish this in one of the many possible methods. Git is a free program.
2. Make a GitHub Account
Go to the GitHub homepage after running Git and create a profile using your email id.
3. Start the Repo
Once you’ve created your profile on GitHub, you’ll be brought to the main control panel. Click Create Repo to launch your first repository. This enables you to maintain all of the code for your new GitHub project in a single location.
4. Make a New Project
Provide your repo name and an additional descriptor on the Create a new repository box (It is possible to change both later).
Source: hubspot.com
5. Enter More Details
Include a README document, a .gitignore document, and the license for your program within the same panel. A README file is a text document that defines your program and is a best development practice.
These specifics make it simpler for team members to comprehend your project and any instructions you want them to follow.
6. Repo Creation
The following step is to create a repository by clicking “Create repository.” Once the Repo is created, the tool will direct you to the repository’s main page, where you may view and access your files.
7. Make Local Repo Copy
To modify your records and push your modifications, you’ll now make a local copy of your GitHub repository (or, in GitHub jargon, “clone” your Repo). Copy the HTTPS URL of your Repo after clicking the green Code icon on the homepage of your Repo.
Why do you need to replicate your source when you already have your project’s copy on your computer? These professional standards make it simple to see when someone added or removed files. Additionally, it makes resolving merge disputes simpler.
Source: hubspot.com
8. Choose a Directory to Incorporate the URL
Open your terminal and go to the location where you want your repo clone to be stored. Do git clone when you have already opened the terminal. Paste the source URL you already copied afterward. Your command body should appear as follows:
9. Check Your Repo After Cloning to Create a New File for Pushing
To clone the Repo, you should press Enter and access your files. Your local filesystem will now have a new file bearing the name of your project/Repo. You can see the files in your GitHub repository if you view this folder. You can edit these copies of the files in your Repo, edit them, and then push them back into your collection.
Add a new document to your replicated Repo and submit it to GitHub. Make a new text file called hello.txt in your local clone. Add the words “Hello, world!” to it, then save the document.
Browse to your replicated Repo using the terminal. Then enter after typing git add. When you do this, you can push every file in your cloned repository.
Also Read: Top 11 Metaverse Trends 2023 That Everyone Should Know
10. Committing Changelog Modifications and Pushing Cloned Repo Files
Enter the command git commit -m “added hello.txt” into the terminal. This adds your modifications to the changelog. The text included in quotation marks is a statement that quickly summarizes the commit’s goal.
In the terminal, type git, push origin main, and hit Enter.
Your file name will be present in your GitHub repository after you return. You are now ready to work on your new project and work with others on it.
Source: blog.hubspot.com
Ending Comments
Sometimes it’s simple to put the entire blame for technical advancements on one individual; consider Steve Jobs or Bill Gates. Software is, obviously, the result of several ideas coming together.
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