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Comprehensive Git Workflow Guide

1. Set Up Git Configuration

Before you start using Git, you need to configure your name and email, as they will be associated with your commits.

1.1 Specify Your Name

This sets the global username for your Git configuration.

git config --global user.name "Stelios Sotiriadis"

1.2 Specify Your Email

Set your global email address associated with your commits.

git config --global user.email "[email protected]"

1.3 Specify the Default Branch

This specifies that new repositories will use main as the default branch (instead of master).

git config --global init.defaultBranch main

1.4 Get Information About git config

This command provides information on how to use git config.

git config -h

1.5 Get Help for git config

This opens the official Git documentation for configuration.

git help config

Tip: Press Ctrl + Z to exit.

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2. Initialize a Git Repository

Now let’s create a new project and initialize a Git repository.

2.1 Create a Directory and a File

Create a new directory called git-ninja, and inside it, create a Python file test.py:

# test.py

print("Hello world!")

2.2 Open the Folder in Terminal

Navigate to the folder in the terminal:

cd ../../git-ninja

2.3 Initialize the Git Repository

Initialize a new Git repository in the current directory:

git init

Tip for Mac/Windows: To see hidden files, use Cmd + Shift + . (Mac) or enable Show Hidden Items (Windows).

2.4 Rename Default Branch (If Using Older Version)

Older Git versions may use master as the default branch. Rename it to main:

git branch -m master main

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3. Tracking Files and Making Commits

3.1 Check the Status

Check the status of your repository, which shows tracked, untracked, and modified files.

git status

3.2 Track a File

To start tracking a file (i.e., add it to the staging area):

git add test.py

3.3 Create Another File ninja.py

Create a new file ninja.py:

touch ninja.py

3.4 Check Status Again

Check the status to see the untracked file:

git status

3.5 Untrack a File

If you want to remove a file from tracking (keep it locally):

git rm --cached test.py

3.6 Create a .gitignore File

Create a .gitignore file to ignore specific file types or files:

# .gitignore
*.txt

You can find useful .gitignore templates at GitHub’s gitignore repository.

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4. Staging and Committing Changes

4.1 Track All Files (Except Ignored)

You can add all untracked files, except those in .gitignore, to the staging area using one of these commands:

git add --all

or

git add -A

or

git add .

4.2 Commit Changes

Take a snapshot of your files (commit the changes):

git commit -m "First commit - committing all files into repository"

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5. Modify and Commit Changes

5.1 Make Changes to test.py

Add new code to test.py:

print("Hello world!")
print("My name is Stelios!")

5.2 Check the Status Again

Check if test.py is modified:

git status

5.3 See the Diff (Changes)

View the differences between the working directory and the last commit:

git diff

Red shows removed lines, and Green shows added lines.

5.4 Stage the Changes

Add the modified file to the staging area:

git add test.py

5.5 Commit the Changes

Now, commit these changes to the repository:

git commit -m "Added new print statement to test.py"

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6. Working with Different Git Environments

Git has three main environments:

• Working Directory: Files you are currently editing.
• Staging Area: Files that are staged and ready to be committed.
• Repository (Commit History): The history of all committed files.

6.1 Move a File from Staging to Working Directory

If you change your mind and want to unstage a file:

git restore --staged test.py

6.2 Skip Staging and Commit Directly

You can skip the staging area and commit changes directly with:

git commit -a -m "Updated text to free range"

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7. Renaming, Deleting, and Restoring Files

7.1 Rename a File

To rename a file:

git mv mysecret.py mysecret_NEW.py

7.2 Delete a File

To delete a file and remove it from Git tracking:

git rm mysecret.py

7.3 Restore a Deleted File

If a file was deleted by mistake, you can restore it:

git restore mysecret.py

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8. Viewing Commit History

8.1 View Commit History

To view the complete commit log:

git log

8.2 View Commit History in a Shortened Format

To see the commit history in a more concise format:

git log --oneline

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9. Modify Previous Commits

9.1 Amend the Last Commit

You can modify the message of the last commit:

git commit --amend -m "Changing the file name"

9.2 View Commit Changes (Patches)

View changes introduced by each commit:

git log -p

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10. Working with Branches

10.1 Create a New Branch

Create a new branch to work on a separate feature:

git branch FixFunction

10.2 List All Branches

To view all branches:

git branch

10.3 Switch to a Branch

Switch to a branch:

git switch FixFunction

10.4 Create and Switch to a New Branch

You can create and switch to a new branch in one step:

git switch -c UpdateText

10.5 Merge Branches

After making changes on a feature branch, you can merge it back into the main branch:

git switch main
git merge FixFunction

10.6 Delete a Branch

Once the branch is merged, you can delete it:

git branch -d FixFunction

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11. Resolve Merge Conflicts

11.1 Try Merging Changes

If there are conflicts between branches:

git merge UpdateText

Conflict: There are differences between the main branch and UpdateText branch that need to be resolved manually.

11.2 Manually Resolve Conflicts

In the file, remove the conflict markers (<<<<<<<, =======, >>>>>>>) and decide which changes to keep.

11.3 Commit the Resolved Changes

Once conflicts are resolved, commit the changes:

git commit -a -m "Resolved merge conflict"

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12. Working with GitHub

12.1 Create a New Repository on GitHub

Create a new repository on GitHub, e.g., ninja1.

12.2 Add Remote Repository

Link your local repository with the GitHub repository:

git remote add origin https://github.com/steliosot/ninja1.git

12.3 Set the Branch

Set the default branch for your remote repository:

git branch -M main

12.4 Push to Remote Repository

Push your local repository to GitHub:

git push -u origin main

12.5 Push All Branches

Push all branches to GitHub:

git push --all

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13. Collaborating on GitHub

13.1 Create an Issue

On GitHub, create a new issue, assign a label, and assign it to a team member.

13.2 Pull Requests

Make changes in a new branch, create a pull request (PR), and then review and merge it.

13.3 Fetch and Merge from GitHub

Fetch all the latest changes from the remote repository and merge them into your local branch:

git fetch
git merge

Or, use git pull to do both in one step:

git pull

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Exercises

1. Create and Commit Changes
   • Create a new repository, add a file, commit, and push it to GitHub.
2. Branching Exercise
   • Create a new branch, make changes, and merge it into main. Resolve conflicts if necessary.
3. Undo Changes
   • Make changes to a file, unstage it, and commit it again.
4. Git Ignore Files
   • Create a .gitignore file to ignore all .txt files, and track only Python files. Commit the changes.

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