Git for Absolute Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide

Git is an indispensable tool for modern software development, enabling efficient version control and collaboration. This guide will walk you through the fundamental Git commands every beginner should know, from installation to basic workflow.

Getting Started with Git

Installation and Setup

Before diving into Git commands, you need to install Git on your system:

Download Git from the official website: git-scm.com
After installation, verify the installed version:
Terminal
```
git --version
```
or
Terminal
```
git -v
```

Initial Configuration

Configure your Git identity with these global settings:

Terminal

git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "You@Email.com"
git config --global init.defaultBranch main

These commands set up your name, email, and default branch name for all your Git repositories.

Essential Git Commands for Beginners

Creating and Cloning Repositories

Initialize a new repository:
Terminal
```
git init
```
Use this command in an existing project directory to start tracking it with Git.
Clone an existing repository:
Terminal
```
git clone <url-from-github>
```
Example:
Terminal
```
git clone https://github.com/Edward-126/template-next.git
```
This command creates a local copy of a remote repository.

Checking Repository Status

To see the current state of your repository:

Terminal

git status

For a more concise status overview:

Terminal

git status -s

Adding and Committing Changes

Add files to the staging area:
Terminal
```
git add <filename>
```
Example:
Terminal
```
git add index.html
```
To add all changed files:
Terminal
```
git add .
```
Commit staged changes:
Terminal
```
git commit -m "Short message"
```
This creates a new commit with the staged changes and a descriptive message.
Combine adding and committing:
Terminal
```
git commit -a -m "Short message"
```
This command stages all modified files and creates a new commit in one step.

Managing Changes

Discard changes in a file:
Terminal
```
git restore <filename>
```
Unstage a newly added file:
Terminal
```
git rm --cached <filename>
```
Unstage a previously modified file:
Terminal
```
git restore --staged <filename>
```

Connecting to GitHub

To link your local repository to GitHub:

Terminal

git remote add origin <gh-url>
git branch -M main
git push -u origin main

Replace <gh-url> with your GitHub repository URL.

Understanding File Statuses

Git tracks the status of your files:

Untracked: New files not yet added to the repository (U in VS Code)
Unmodified: Tracked files without changes
Modified: Tracked files with changes (M in VS Code)
Staged: Files added to the staging area, ready for commit (A in VS Code)
Ignored: Files matching patterns in .gitignore (grayed out in VS Code)

Basic Git Workflow

Create new files or make changes to existing files.

Stage and commit changes:

Terminal

git commit -a -m "Short detail message about changes"

Push changes to the remote repository:
Terminal
```
git push
```

Pro Tip: Avoiding Repeated Credential Requests

To prevent Git from asking for credentials with every push:

Terminal

git config --global credential.helper 'cache --timeout=3600'

This caches your credentials for an hour (3600 seconds).

Conclusion

This guide covers the essential Git commands for beginners. As you become more comfortable with these basics, you can explore more advanced Git features to enhance your development workflow. Remember, practice is key to mastering Git, so don't hesitate to experiment in your projects!

Happy coding, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further clarification on any Git concepts!