Let's now talk about adding and committing files. Since this can get wildly abstract and confusing, refer to the figure below!
As any other well-mannered developer would, let's start by creating a README file. This will be to keep track of any notes that you make along the way that we want any users to know.
$ touch README $ git status
On branch master Initial commit Untracked files: (use "git add <file>..." to include in what will be committed) README nothing added to commit but untracked files present (use "git add" to track)
Upon checking the status, you'll see that your README file is untracked. This means that any modifications made to this file won't be noticed by Git. Additionally, untracked files are not in the staging area, so are not ready to be snapshotted by Git. To move the file to the staging area, simply use the add
subcommand.
$ git add README $ git status
On branch master Initial commit Changes to be committed: (use "git rm --cached <file>..." to unstage) new file: README
The README file has now gone from its untracked state to the staging area, ready to be snapshotted. Remember that the fancy word for Git taking a snapshot is committed. We'll use this term henceforth.
Note that if we edit our files in the staging area, its edited version will move out of the staging area; the original version that was placed when running add
will still be in the staging area, but the newly updated copy will not. To place the most updated copy, we have to run the add
subcommand again. For example, let's try adding some text in our README.
$ echo 'Hello world! This is my fun project!' > README $ git status
On branch master Initial commit Changes to be committed: (use "git rm --cached <file>..." to unstage) new file: README Changes not staged for commit: (use "git add <file>..." to update what will be committed) (use "git checkout -- <file>..." to discard changes in working directory) modified: README
Notice that the new edits made to the README file are not staged for the commit. We see that we must re-add the README file to place the most recent copy into the staging area. So if you have run add
on your files, but decided to make some more edits, make sure to run add
(if you'd like to stage the most recent copy)!
$ git add README $ git status
On branch master Initial commit Changes to be committed: (use "git rm --cached <file>..." to unstage) new file: README
The next step is to commit
our file to our Git repository. By committing, Git will take a snapshot of the files in our staging area.
When committing, it's mandatory to add the -m
option, followed by a comment. This comment serves as a brief summary the updates you made to the code. Although you may see it as an inconvenience, a good commit message will pay off when you're trying to rollback changes in the future.
$ git commit -m 'First commit. Including a README file.'
[master (root-commit) df292d0] First commit. Including a README file. 1 file changed, 0 insertions(+), 0 deletions(-) create mode 100644 README
Great! Now you've committed for the first time. You may now access this specific point in time with the checksum df292d0.
One more thing - we can use the -a
option with the commit
subcommand to automatically stage all the files that were modified and deleted. However, new files that are added that you have not told Git about with not be affected.
$ git commit -a -m "Commit message here."
Try making your own edits, and use the status
subcommand to continually check up on your files. Ask yourself where they are in the diagram above and try modifying the states for practice.
Ever feel achy from sitting crunched up on your computer table? Try lying down with these optical glasses that allow you to work on your laptop while lying flat on your back. This is the perfect solution with those with limited mobility or those who wish to prevent neck cramps and back strains.
$ Check priceIf you're looking to learn the elements of Agile development and Scrum, this is the book for you. This book has been reviewed by many, and sought after as a must-read for anyone who works in agile. The book is brief, with no anecdotes nor reiterations. Just pure content to help you graph what Scrum is in no time.
$ Check priceAd