GitHub is a platform that allows developers to create and manage their codes in a unified repository. It is widely used for version control, bug tracking, and continuous integration, among other tasks, making it easier for developers to collaborate on different projects.
As mentioned earlier, GitHub is used as a version control tool which uses Git software for the same. This facilitates better collaboration and management, and developers can protect their code from permanent damage by rolling back to previous versions. GitHub is not just a version control tool; it also provides other features like finding and fixing vulnerabilities in the code, automating workflows, managing code changes, AI assistance for coding, etc.
How to set up a GitHub account
GitHub is an easy-to-use tool that is free for personal accounts, with additional functionalities requiring some cost. However, almost all the needs of an individual are covered in the free tier of the same.
To create a GitHub account, go to https://github.com/signup, enter your email, and follow the simple steps like setting a password and username, etc., after which a new account will be created.
What is a GitHub repository?
A repository is simply a central place for storing files, codes, and each file's revision history. Each project should have its own repository for keeping all the project-related information in one place. Moreover, a repository can be private or public and can have multiple collaborators. All the changes made by different people are visible in the repository along with the person's identifier, which makes it easy to collaborate with other developers.
How to create a new repository?
- Click on the "Create new..." button (which looks like a plus symbol) at the top pane of the website, and click on "New Repository."
- Update the name and description of the repository and then choose its privacy settings - whether to keep it public or private. In the former, all the files in the repository are visible to everyone, whereas in the latter case, only a certain group of people with whom the repository is shared can access the files.
- You can also add a README file (a long description of your project) and choose a license that tells other developers what they can and can't do with your code.
After completing these steps, you can start adding the desired files to the repository and track their changes.
