Practicing Git!

Ready to learn about version control through git? You can follow along here.

Version control is...

...a system that records changes to a file or set of files over time so that you can recall specific versions later.

Cloning a repository...

...If you want to get a copy of an existing Git repository - for example, a project you'd like to contribute to - the command you need is $ git clone.

"Adding", "committing" and "pushing" changes...

$ git add = This command updates the index using the current content found in the working tree, to prepare the content staged for the next commit.

$ git commit = Stores the current contents of the index in a new commit along with a log message from the user describing the changes.

$ git push = Updates remote refs using local refs, while sending objects necessary to complete the given refs.

You need to fork when...

... you're out of spoons.

An interactive poem about version control:

(Click to advance.)

More about open source

Free, open source software is software that is shared freely and available to build upon. It is a great way to apply your skills to work on projects and social causes. You can participate by writing or reviewing code, answering users' questions, translating the interface, making video tutorials to help new users, and myriad of other ways. Open source software is often produced by lots of people collaborating, and is welcoming to everyone, including newcomers.

Open source participation is one way to gain programming skills and make connections that will last you through your career. Volunteer staff will include professionals and academics who use open source daily.

Who we are

This tutorial was put together by Shauna Gordon-McKeon and Asheesh Laroia of OpenHatch. We're a non-profit that helps people get involved in open source. We especially like running events on college campuses. You can learn more.

Get in touch

If you want to get in touch with us, the best thing to do is to email us. Try this: hello@openhatch.org
You can also find us on IRC at #openhatch on FreeNode. Click here for web chat.

Further resources

Try Git
The official git book
Git Immersion