Welcome to another episode of data digest. In this episode, we will be discussing Version Control with Git and GitHub for data analysts. Why don't you sit down and get a warm cup of tea as we discuss what this topic entails?

Instructor: Obinna Iheanachor (LinkedIn)

What is Version Control?

Version Control, also known as source control, is the practice of tracking and managing changes to software code.

Benefits of a version control

The following are the advantages offered by version control

1. Complete the long-term change history of every file
2. Branching and merging
3. Traceability
4. Insight, measurement, and accountability

What is Git?

Git is a free and open-source distributed version control system designed to track the changes in your code over time. Git is a desktop software for version control management.

Why Git?

Below are some of the reasons for adopting Git:

1. Branching and merging
2. Free and open-source
3. Staging area
4. Small and fast
5. Distributed
6. Data assurance

Some common Git commands

Let’s take a look at some commands that are used in Git and what they signify.

1. clone: Bring a repository that is hosted somewhere like Github into a local folder on your machine
2. add: Track your files and changes in Git
3. commit: Save your files in Git
4. push: Upload Git commands to a remote repository like GitHub.
5. pull: Download changes from the remote repo to your local machine, which contradicts the effect of push
6. branch: A version of your repository, or in other words, an independent line of development

How Git works

The following image illustrates how Git operations are carried out.

What is GitHub?

GitHub is an online software development platform used for storing, tracking, and collaborating on software projects.

GitHub also serves as a social networking site in which developers can openly network, collaborate, and pitch their work.

Why GitHub?

Thanks to GitHub the following benefits can be achieved:

1. Enhanced collaboration
2. Easy file management
3. Social networking
4. Private repositories
5. Open-source projects

Some common Terms in GitHub

Just as we discussed the common terms used in Git, here are also some of the terms that are commonly used in GitHub.

1. Directory/ Folder
2. terminal/Command Line Interface
3. Code Editors
4. Repository

How Git + GitHub work

Getting started

• Install the latest version of Git on your device.
• After installing Git, go to GitHub's website and create an account with your email address.
• Install a code editor (VS code and Atom are good recommendations)
• To start your first repository, click Create repository on your dashboard.
• Enter your repository name, (optional) description, and add a README.md file.
• Clone your repository (Create a local copy)
• Make changes to your local copy
• Push these changes back to GitHub

Git Branching

Resources

The following are some of the resources that can help you improve the usage of Git.

• Udacity's free Git course
• Official Git Documentation
• Git Tower
• Learn Git Branching
• Pro Git Book
• Markdown Tutorial
• Shell Workshop
• Learn the Linux Command Line - Basic

GitHub Workflow

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