Version Control with Git

Part 1: Create Your First Git Repository

Purpose: Learn how Git tracks changes locally — the first step in version control.

Steps

1. Create a folder

   

   You created a project directory to store your code.

2. Initialize Git

   git init

   

   
   

   This turns your folder into a Git repository (Git starts tracking changes here).

3. Create a file

   echo "Hello Git" > hello.txt

   
   

   You made your first file to track.

4. Check the status

   git status

   
   

   Git shows that hello.txt is untracked.

5. Add the file to staging

   git add hello.txt

   

   
   

   This prepares the file for commit (snapshot).

6. Commit your changes

   
   

   git commit -m "Initial commit: added hello.txt"

   

   
   

   Congratulations!!! You’ve saved your first version — a snapshot of the file.

Git records your work in small “commits” that you can track or roll back later.

Part 2: Track File Changes and View History

Purpose: Understand how Git saves different versions of your files.

Steps

1. Edit the file

   echo "This is my second line." >> hello.txt

   
   

2. Check the difference

   git diff

   

   
   

   Shows what changed since the last commit.

3. Stage and commit again

   git add hello.txt

   
   

   git commit -m "Added a second line to hello.txt"

   

4. View commit history

   git log --oneline

   

   See the list of all versions you’ve saved.

   
   

Lesson Learned:Git keeps a complete timeline of your work — you can see, compare, or restore any version anytime.

Part 3: Work with Branches

Purpose: Learn how to work on new features safely without disturbing the main code.

Steps

1. Create and switch to a new branch

   
   

   git checkout -b feature-update

1. Edit the file

   echo "New feature: Git branching!" >> hello.txt

   
   

2. Commit the change

   git add hello.txt

   git commit -m "Added feature update message"

   

   
   

3. Switch back to main branch

   git checkout master

   

   
   

4. Compare branches

   git diff feature-update

Lesson Learned:Branches let you experiment or develop features independently — and merge them later when ready.

Part 4: Merge Changes

Purpose: Understand how to combine your work from multiple branches.

Steps

1. Merge feature branch into main

   git merge feature-update

   Git combines the feature branch changes into main.

   

   
   

2. Check the merged file

   type hello.txt

   

   
   

Part 5: Connect with GitHub and Push Code

Purpose: Learn to upload your local project to GitHub and collaborate online.

Steps

1. Create a new repo on GitHub

   Go to GitHub → “New Repository” → Name it git-demo

   Don’t add README yet.

   
   

2. Connect local Git to GitHub

   git remote add origin https://github.com/<your-username>/git-demo.git

3. Push your code

   git branch -M master

   git push -u origin master

1. Check your GitHub accountYour code is now visible online.

   

   
   

   Lesson Learned:Git + GitHub = version control + cloud collaboration.You can now share your code, work with teams, and track contributions.