A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO GIT

Source: Dev.to

Introduction

Git is a free, open‑source version control system that developers and analysts use for tracking changes, collaborating, and managing project history efficiently. It allows you to work offline and merge your work seamlessly.

Before getting started with Git, configure your identity:

git config --global user.name "nashipae"
git config --global user.email "nashipaentungani@gmail.com"

Git Workflow

A file goes through three stages in Git:

1. Working directory – where you edit files.
2. Staging area – a loading dock for changes you want to save (almost final).
3. Repository – the permanent storage area for your project.

Essential Commands

Starting a Project

• Initialize a new repository

  git init

• Clone an existing repository

  git clone 

Checking Status and Tracking Changes

• Show the current status

  git status

• View detailed changes

  git diff

• Stage specific files

  git add 

• Stage all changes

  git add .

• Unstage a file

  git restore --staged 

• Commit staged changes

  git commit -m "Your commit message"

• View commit history

  git log

Working with Remotes

• Add a remote repository

  git remote add origin 

• Push to the remote (first time)

  git push -u origin main

• Push subsequent changes

  git push origin main

• Pull changes from the remote

  git pull origin main

History, Comparison, and Resetting

• Compact log view

  git log --oneline

• Show who last modified each line of a file

  git blame 

• Compare two commits

  git diff  

• Reset the current HEAD

  # Soft reset (keeps changes staged)
  git reset --soft HEAD~1
  
  # Mixed reset (unstages changes but keeps them in working directory)
  git reset --mixed HEAD~1
  
  # Hard reset (discards all changes)
  git reset --hard HEAD~1