Getting Started with Git: A Beginner’s Guide for Full-Stack Developers

The demand for full-stack developers who can work on all layers of websites, including the look and business logic layers, is increasing as technology advances. This article will focus on Git, a DevOps tool for managing source code.

What is Git?

Git is a powerful DevOps tool used to manage source code by tracking changes made to files and programs over time. It’s designed to efficiently work on projects of any size, making it an essential tool for development teams. One of its key benefits is its ability to enable non-linear development by allowing multiple engineers to collaborate on source code changes. The tool was developed in 2005 by Linus Torvalds for Linux kernel development, and it has become widely used in the software development industry.

However, it’s important to note that Git is often confused with GitHub. Although GitHub is a Git server application hosted on websites like GitHub, GitLab, and BitBucket, Git itself is a software tool that lets you track changes made to your files and work with your peers on code or files.

Getting Started with Git

Install

To begin, click here to install Git. This process is straightforward and quick.

Verify and Set Up

After installing Git, verify that it’s installed correctly with the command “git –version.” Once you’ve confirmed installation, set up your environment using the “git config” tool. This tool lets you obtain and change Git’s configuration settings, controlling every aspect of how Git functions and appears.

Fork and Clone a Repository

It’s essential to understand what a “fork” is and how it differs from downloading a file from the internet. When you “fork” a project, you take the code and create your version. Once you’ve forked the repository, you can access all its changes. After forking, clone the repository onto your computer. This step is critical because you need to create your local copy of the warehouse to know where everything is stored on your computer.

Find and Fetch a Commit

The next step in any Git workflow is to use “git fetch” to find files that have been committed to the repository but are not yet local. This command updates your local copy of those files with their current state. Your working directory now contains both your changes and theirs, making it easy for you to compare them. If you want to see all the changes since a certain point in history, use “git log -1.”

Check Out the Current Branch and Start Developing

With Git, you can branch between commits, which is excellent for working on an idea without worrying about losing progress. Once you’ve completed your commitment, you’re ready to push. Congratulations! However, keep in mind that these steps are just the beginning. To become a Git developer, you’ll need to:

Get Training: Explore various tutorials, videos, and interactive learning environments to learn more about Git.
Get Certified: Earn the technical certification known as GitLab Certified Git Associate provided by GitLab Professional Services, which will demonstrate your competence in using GitLab in your regular DevOps work.
Work on Projects with Other Developers: Practice editing files and simulating a collaborative effort using a shared repository. The team can learn how to utilize the pull and push commands and modify files they did not generate.

Expected Git Developer Salary Range

Aspiring Git Developers can expect to earn between $80,000 and $120,000 annually if they pursue a career as a freelance developer on freelancing websites. This translates to an hourly rate of $40 to $60, assuming a 2000-hour workload

Conclusion

Learning Git can be a challenging experience for programmers, as it requires understanding the complexities of its powerful toolset. While day-to-day commands may seem straightforward, diving deeper into Git’s functionality can lead to frustration and confusion. It is essential to differentiate between Git and GitHub, as they are two distinct products that are often conflated. Additionally, grasping the Git object model is crucial for building confidence in using Git effectively. Understanding this model allows programmers to better comprehend Git’s capabilities and acquire new knowledge from the official documentation. Ultimately, taking the time to learn Git can lead to more efficient and effective programming practices.