Using GitHub for Project Management

Hosting service for software projects using Git.

GitHub is a web-based hosting service for version control using Git. It is mostly used for computer code, but it can also be used to manage and track changes to any set of files. It provides access control and several collaboration features such as bug tracking, feature requests, task management, and wikis for every project.

Creating a GitHub Account and Setting Up

To start using GitHub, you first need to create an account on the GitHub website. After creating an account, you can set up your profile, choose a subscription plan (including a free option), and start creating repositories for your projects.

Creating and Cloning Repositories

A repository (or "repo") is a location where all the files for a particular project are stored. Each project has its own repo, and you can access it with a unique URL.

To create a new repository, click the "+" icon in the upper right corner of any page, then select "New repository." Give your repository a short, memorable name. You can choose to make your repository public (visible to everyone) or private (only visible to you and people you choose).

Cloning a repository means making a copy of it on your local machine. This allows you to work on the project locally, then push your changes back to the GitHub repository when you're ready.

Understanding Branches and Pull Requests

Branches are used to develop features isolated from each other. The master branch is the "default" branch when you create a repository. Use other branches for development and merge them back to the master branch upon completion.

A pull request is a way to 'request' that your changes be included in the master branch of the original repository. When you make a pull request, project maintainers will review your changes. If they approve the changes, they will merge your branch into the master branch.

Using GitHub for Collaboration

GitHub provides several tools for collaboration:

• Issues: Use issues to track enhancements, tasks, or bugs for your work. Issues can act like a conversation thread where you and others can discuss the issue and even assign it to someone.
• Forks and Pull Requests: Forking a repository allows you to freely experiment with changes without affecting the original project. Once you've made your changes in a fork, you can open a pull request to propose your changes to the original project.
• Projects: You can manage your work by creating project boards that track issues, pull requests, and notes as cards that you can move across columns.
• Milestones, Labels, and Assignees: These are features that help you categorize and filter your work.

By understanding and utilizing these features, you can effectively manage your coding projects on GitHub, making it easier to collaborate with others and maintain your project.