Git and GitHub
Version control fundamentals and collaborative workflows every developer needs.
Git is version control: an undo system for your entire project. Every meaningful change is saved as a “commit” (a snapshot). You can go back to any snapshot, create parallel versions (“branches”) to experiment safely, and merge changes from different developers without overwriting each other’s work. GitHub is a cloud platform that hosts Git repositories online, adds collaboration features (pull requests, code review, issues), and connects to deployment platforms.
| Concept | What It Is | Analogy |
|---|---|---|
| Repository | Your project folder, tracked by Git | A filing cabinet for one project |
| Commit | A saved snapshot with a description | A save point in a video game |
| Branch | A parallel version for isolated work | A separate draft of a document |
| Pull Request | A proposal to merge changes | Submitting your draft for review |
| Push / Pull | Upload to / download from the cloud | Syncing with a shared drive |
🔑 For Vibe Coders
Even if AI writes all your code, you need Git. Most deployment platforms (Vercel, Netlify) connect to GitHub: push code, and they auto-deploy. Understanding commit, push, and pull is essential.
Additional Learning Resources
- GitHub Skills: GitHub’s free, interactive courses to learn Git and GitHub.
- Git Official Documentation: The authoritative reference for all Git commands.