Git Cheatsheet: Understanding Git Configuration and Basics

Git is an incredibly powerful version control system that allows you to keep track of changes made to your code, collaborate with others, and even revert back to previous versions if needed. To get started, it's essential to understand some of the basic configuration options and terminology used in Git.

Configuring Git

When you first set up Git, you'll need to configure a few basic settings. These include setting your user name and email address, which are used to identify you when making changes to the codebase. You can do this using the following commands:

* `$ git config --get `: This command allows you to get the value of a single key.

* `$ git config --list`: This command lists all key-value configurations.

* `$ git config --system user.email`: This command sets the email address for all users on the current machine.

* `$ git config --global user.email`: This command sets the email address for all Git projects under the current user.

Understanding Git Tags

Git uses tags to determine the scope of the information you're using during setup. The most common tag is 'local directory, single project,' which means that Git is set up to track changes made in a specific directory.

* `$ git config user.name`: This command sets your basic information.

* `$ git config user.email`: This command sets your email address.

Understanding Git Branches and Commits

When working with Git, you'll often come across terms like 'branch,' 'commit,' and 'merge.' Here's what they mean:

* Branch: A copy of the project used for working in an isolated environment without affecting the main project.

* Commit: A snapshot of the project you can come back to.

* Git merge: The process of combining two branches together.

Understanding Git Stashing and Staging Areas

When making changes to your code, you may need to stash away unwanted changes or stage them for later commit. Here's how:

* Git stash: Another type of cache that holds unwanted changes you may want to come back later.

* Staging area: A cache that holds changes you want to commit next.

Understanding Git Ignore Files

If you have large data folders, private info, or local files that shouldn't be seen by the public, you'll want to add them to your `.gitignore` file. This tells Git not to track these files.

* Git ignore file: A file that lists other files you want Git not to track.

Understanding Remote and Local Repositories

When working with Git, you may come across terms like 'remote repository' and 'local repository.' Here's what they mean:

* Remote repository: An online version of the local repository hosted on services like GitHub, GitLab, and BitBucket.

* Local repo or repository: A local directory containing code and files for the project.

Cloning a Repository

When you want to make a copy of a repository in a new directory, you can use the `git clone` command. This creates a local copy of the remote repository.

By understanding these basic concepts and terminology, you'll be well on your way to becoming proficient with Git. With this cheat sheet as a reference, you can focus on mastering more advanced Git features and taking your coding skills to the next level.

Git cheatsheet