Git for Beginners

Source: Dev.to

What is Git?

Git is a tool that helps you save, track, and manage changes in your code.

In simple words: Git remembers every version of your project so you can move forward or go back anytime.

Think of Git like:

• a save button with history
• a backup for your code
• a tool that lets many people work together safely

Why Git is Used?

Git makes a developer’s life easier.

• You can undo mistakes
• You can see who changed what
• You can work on new features without breaking existing code
• You can collaborate with a team smoothly

That’s why almost every company uses Git.

Core Git Concepts (Very Simple)

Repository (Repo)

A repository is just your project folder that Git is tracking. Inside it, Git stores all change history.

Commit

A commit is a saved version of your code. Think of it as: “I like the current state of my project. Save it.”

Example commit message:

Added homepage UI

Branch

A branch is a separate copy of your code to work safely.

• main → stable code
• feature-login → new work

Branches let you experiment without fear.

HEAD

HEAD tells Git where you are right now. It points to the current commit you are working on.

Git’s 3 Important Areas

Working Directory → Staging Area → Repository

• Working Directory: where you edit files
• Staging Area: where you prepare files
• Repository: where commits are stored

Common Git Commands (You’ll Use These Daily)

Start Git in a Project

git init

Check What’s Changed

git status

Add Files to Git

git add index.html
git add .

Save Your Changes

git commit -m "Initial setup"

See Past Saves

git log --oneline

A Real Developer Workflow (From Scratch)

mkdir my-project
cd my-project
git init

Create a file → edit it → then:

git add .
git commit -m "Add first version"

Make changes → repeat the same steps. This is exactly how developers use Git daily.

How Git History Looks

Linear history

Commit A → Commit B → Commit C (HEAD)

With branches

main ── A ── B
          \
           C ── D (feature)

Project Structure (Simple View)

Project Folder
 ├── Your files (working directory)
 └── .git (Git history)

Final Thoughts

Git is not hard — it’s just new. If you understand:

• what a commit is
• how to add and save changes
• the basic workflow

you already know 80 % of Git. Practice a little every day, and Git will feel natural very quickly.

Happy coding 🚀