Explained GitHub like I’m 5

[Igy6medz]

Hi I'm fairly new to GitHub and have been trying to understand decoding? Accessing zip files and documents, making a repository. I cannot figure it out maybe I'm just too dumb but can someone explain how to use Git and GitHub like I'm a 5 yr old? Much appreciated for any feedback

[Justagwas]

Welcome, @Igy6medz, to GitHub!

I'm also fairly new here, but I'll try to explain what GitHub is and how it works.

I'll mostly be focusing on things that are related to repositories on this guide of mine.

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What is GitHub?

GitHub is an online platform used for hosting, sharing, and collaborating on code. It's a centralized hub where developers store their projects (those are most often repositories), manage different versions of their work, and work together on the same projects.

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Repositories (Repos):

• A repository is like a folder that contains your project files.
• It can include source code, documents, images, or any other files.
• Repositories can be:
  • Private: Only you or authorized people can see them.
  • Public: Anyone can view them.

---

Commits:

• A commit is like saving your work.
• It creates a snapshot of your current files, and saves them for pushing, along with a description of what was changed (commit message).
• Example: "Fixed typos in the README file" or "Added new login functionality."

---

Push:

• When you "push" code, you're sending your local changes to the repository online (the one on GitHub) so others can access and see them.

---

Pull:

• When you "pull" code, you're downloading the latest changes from the online repository to update your local version.

Note that I say code but it can be any files, be it images or code, same goes for Pushing.

---

Branches:

• A branch is a copy of your project where you can test new ideas or features without affecting the main branch.
• The main branch is the primary version of your project.

Example:
You might create a branch called "new-feature" to experiment with adding a search bar. Once you're happy with the changes, you can merge the "new-feature" branch into the main branch.

---

Now to start yourself off I highly suggest heading HERE and finishing this "course" that GitHub themselves made for new users! Head there and read everything through.

I also suggest finding and watching tutorials online for extra guidance!

Hope this helps you out a bit! I know it can be tough starting out but progress won't happen unless you're the one who initiates it! Good Luck! :)

[queenofcorgis]

Hi @boscocp ,

We’ve clarified our stance on using generative AI tools like ChatGPT within our Community via this announcement. Please review the guidelines to ensure your post meets them as failure to adhere to those rules can result in action taken by our moderator team.  You can read our updated Code of Conduct and the announcement for more details. Thank you for helping us maintain an authentic and beneficial space for everyone.

[queenofcorgis]

Welcome to GitHub and the GitHub Community @Igy6medz 🎆 ! We're glad you're here and can't wait to see where your GitHub journey takes you. Check out our Getting Started post for learning more about the community and our check-in with links on how to choose your first project to contribute to, a blog with getting started resources, and a new user checklist.

Please note for future posts, you are more likely to get a useful response if you are posting your question in the applicable category. The Accessibility category is a place for our community to discuss and provide feedback on the digital accessibility of GitHub products. Digital accessibility means that GitHub tools, and technologies, are designed and developed so that people with disabilities can use them.

I've gone ahead and moved this to the correct category for you, New to GitHub. Good luck!

[boscocp]

According to the Code of Conduct, I can use it in moderation, as long as I review the content. And I reviewed and edited the generated content.