Git Complete Guide for Developers: Learn Git Commands from Beginner to Advanced

Git complete guide for developers

If you're learning about web development or even JavaScript, React, NodeJS, MERN stack, or just any other programming language, knowing how to use git is imperative.

Professional developers use git every day as a tool to manage their code, track their changes, and collaborate with other people.

If you're looking for a job, freelance, or remote opportunity, knowing how to use git will give you an edge over other applicants.


In this guide, you will learn:

What is git and why developers need it

Every important git command you need to know in simple terms 

A real-world example of how a developer uses git in their workflow

How knowing how to use git can assist a developer in advancing their career and monetizing their skills.


What is Git? (Simple Definition)

Git is a distributed version control system. A distributed version control system helps developers to:

  • Keep track of their changes
  • Create a historical record of their code
  • Safely continue to work on a particular piece of code without losing any data
  • Interact and work collaboratively with other developers
  • Think of git like a time machine for your code.

If you have a problem with a particular piece of code, git provides a simple, quick and easy way for you to revert back to the previous version of your code.


Why is Git Important to Developers

Using git allows developers to:

  • Work safely on larger-scale projects
  • Fix bugs without fear
  • Work collaboratively with other developers
  • Keep their code clean and maintainable
  • Gain confidence in their coding ability
  • Almost every tech company will evaluate your git knowledge during the interview process.


Interpreting Git Functionality (Workflows of Devs)

  • Every time we write code
  • We do git commits
  • We keep a history of our change history
  • We share our work with our team by sending our code to `GitHub` or `GitLab`
  • We are able to "roll back" to previous versions when we discover bugs in our code
This process is how developers at many companies are currently working on development projects.

How I Use Git Daily

When developing React / Node.js applications, I create a separate branch for every feature I'm developing. For instance, when implementing user authentication in a MERN application, I created a feature-login branch for my authentication work, allowing me to freely experiment without compromising the integrity of my main code branch. Once I felt comfortable that I had adequately tested the feature, I safely merged it into my master branch.

Commonly Used Git Command in Development
Most commonly used commands are as follows:
-  `git status`
-  `git add`
-  `git commit`
-  `git pull`
-  `git push`
-  `git branch`
-  `git merge`
Mastering these commands provides a solid foundation in understanding how to work with Git and will cover 90% of how you will actually use Git in real-world development situations.

Git Best Practices for Developers

  • Create a meaningful commit message.
  • Commit similar changes together.
  • Develop using git branches for each new feature.
  • Always perform a pull before pushing.
  • Never push a broken piece of code.
Using the following habits will keep you from being unprepared when entering into the Industry.

Career Advantages of Git

Knowing how to use git has many advantages, including:
  • Successfully passing your Developer Interview.
  • Creating your Professional GitHub profile.
  • Contributing toward Open Source projects on GitHub.
  • Finding Freelance Clients through GitHub.
  • Finding Remote job opportunities with GitHub.
  • Especially if you are earning money from your projects that are coded, many Recruiters will shortlist candidates based on their GitHub Activity.

Conclusion

Git has moved from being optional for developers to becoming a requirement that should be adopted by developers everywhere.
To grow your career as a Web Developer, MERN Stack Developer, or Software Engineer, you must implement Git from Day 1.
Mastering Git early on in your career will result in faster Career Growth.

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