Installing and setup of GitHub Desktop Application
What is Git?
"It is a version control system used for software development." -Wikipedia-
What is GitHub?
It is a company that hosts Git repositories. Developers use it store different projects they are working on.
Installing GitHub Desktop
- Make sure you have created a GitHub account, if not click here to use that tutorial and set up an account.
- Download GitHub Desktop by clicking the following link.
- Next, we need to authenticate your GitHub account. Click here and follow instructions.
- While still in Preferences, click the gear icon titled "Advanced"
- Review the fields labeled "Git Config". It should have your name and email address used to register.
- If correct, then close "Preferences" or change the information.
Note: Instructions are available for Mac and Windows
Note: Ignore any steps stating GitHub Enterprise.
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Has your team created a repository for your project?
Create a Repository for Your Project
- In the top left-hand corner of the GitHub Desktop, click the plus icon.
- Choose Create
- In the name field type your projects name.
- On the right of Local Path, click "Choose" and pick where you want your local copy to be saved.
- Click "Create Repository". This saves a local copy to your computer.
- Next, we will publish your local copy to Github.com. Click the button on the right-hand side that says "Publish".
- Review pop-up and make sure the project name is correct and click "Publish Repository".
- On the right-hand column, your new project title displays under Github.
Note: Only one team member needs to create a repository for your team project. The team will clone a copy throught their own GitHub Desktop.
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Note: I recommend creating a directory to store all your repositories for future projects. I recommend a directory named GitHub.
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Adding your Team Members to the Project
- On the right-hand column, right-click your project's name and select "View on GitHub".
- This will launch the project in Github.com.
- Under the name of the project, click the "Settings" tab.
- On the left-hand side of Settings, click the button "Collaborators".
- Add all your team members to the project. Either type their username or email and click "Add Collaborator".
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Uploading your First File
- Create a test HTML page with your favorite text editor
- Save the file
- Once saved, launch GitHub Desktop application.
- In the summary input field, type "Test Commit"
- In the description input field, type "This is my initial commit."
- Click "Commit to Master"
- On the upper right-hand side, click Publish.
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Note: Notice the file saved is now showing in our GitHub application. This doesn't mean it is uploaded to the repository yet. It is waiting to be commited to the site.
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Note: Once published the file created is stored on GitHub's repository.
Cloning your Team Project
- In the top left-hand corner of the GitHub Desktop, click the plus icon.
- Select "Clone"
- Type the name of your project.
- Click "Clone Repository"
- A pop-up appears asking where to save project locally.
- Now a copy of your team project is saved locally to your desktop.
Note: Make sure someone on your team has created a repository for your project before continuing.
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Note: Since another team member created the repository, there username will show in from of the project name.
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Note: I recommend making a directory called GitHub to store your project. That way you can store of projects in one directory.
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