If you are learning to programme, you may already know that programmers rarely code in isolation. Knowing how to effectively use collaboration tools such as Git and Github helps you move from a hobbyist to a professional.

Why learn Git?

• 42.9% of professional software developers use Git as their primary source control system
• 23.58% of UK permanent software development job openings cite Git (itjobswatch.co.uk, December 2014)

What is Git?

Git is not just for developers. Project managers, tech writers, and other people who help build software can use Git to work with developers and with each other. If you are new to development, this course is still relevant to you. When you are starting to code, you may develop your assets locally on your computer. Every now and again, you probably upload your changes to your server. But when you begin to work with other people on the same project, you need a way to track your changes separately from your colleagues. This process is known as version control.

Git is a version control system. Git allows multiple people to safely work on the same project without interfering with one another. Git also allows you to backtrack if necessary and undo changes. Multiple developers can make changes, but only your changes are linked to you. When you are ready, you commit your changes to Github for others to see.

Why learn Github?

• Github is the largest code host in the world and the de facto social networking site for programmers
• GitHub has 11+ million users and approximately 30 million repositories

What is Github?

Github is a remote server, a community of developers, and graphical web interface. If you see an open source project, you can 'fork', or take someone else's code and adapt it to your needs. Forking saves you a lot of time and effort as you do not have to create code you need from scratch. Once you fork, or copy the original source code, your copy becomes a master copy.

The master copy is then copied again. Each copy of the master is called a branch. Team members update their respective branches of the master code. When you are ready, you can merge your changes into the master. In this way, your contribution becomes part of the main body of work.

What you will learn how to:

• Initialize a Git repository
• Check the status, add updates, commit changes, add changes
• Push our local repo to the GitHub server, push/pull remotely and more
• Collaborate effectively with your project team on GitHub
• Communicate with Issues and Pull Requests
• Maximize the version control capabilities of GitHub
• and more!