20 Feb 2025 2 min read

Your Git Survival Kit

If you’re new to software development, you’ve probably heard the word "Git" thrown around a lot. At first, it might seem intimidating—commands, branches, commits, merges... it’s a lot! But trust me, Git is one of the most powerful tools you’ll use as a developer, and once you get comfortable with it, you’ll wonder how you ever worked without it.

Let’s break it down and go over some essential commands that will help you get started without fear.

Why Use Git?

Git is a version control system that helps developers track changes in their code, collaborate with others, and avoid disasters like losing work or overwriting important files. It allows you to:

Keep track of changes in your code over time
Collaborate seamlessly with other developers
Experiment with new features without breaking existing code
Roll back to a previous version if something goes wrong

Now, let's go over some must-know Git commands.

Essential Git Commands for Beginners

git init – This initializes a new Git repository in your project folder. Run this once at the start of a new project.
git clone <repository-url> – If you want to work on an existing project, this command copies (clones) the repository to your local machine.
git status – Shows the current state of your repository, including which files have been modified or staged.
git add <file> – Stages a file for commit (preparing it to be saved). Use git add . to stage all changes at once.
git commit -m "your message" – Saves the staged changes with a meaningful message describing what you did.
git push – Uploads your committed changes to a remote repository (like GitHub or GitLab).
git pull – Fetches the latest changes from the remote repository and merges them into your local branch.
git branch – Lists all the branches in your project.
git checkout -b new-branch – Creates and switches to a new branch where you can work without affecting the main code.
git merge <branch> – Merges another branch into your current branch, combining the changes.
git log – Shows the commit history so you can track changes over time.
git reset --hard <commit-hash> – Resets your code to a previous commit (use with caution!).

Don’t Be Afraid of Git!

A lot of beginners fear using Git because they think they might "mess something up." But the beauty of Git is that it protects you from making irreversible mistakes. If something goes wrong, you can always undo changes, go back to a previous version, or check your history to see what happened.

If you’re just getting started, try these tips:

Use git status often – It helps you see what’s happening in your repo.
Make small, frequent commits – It’s easier to track changes and roll back if needed.
Use branches – Keep your work separate from the main code until it’s ready.
Push your code to a remote repository – So you never lose your work.

Final Thoughts

Git is not just a tool; it’s a skill that every developer should master. The more you use it, the more comfortable you'll become. So don't worry about breaking things—Git's got your back!

Give these commands a try and let me know how it goes. If you have any questions, I’d love to help!