by Eric M. Baumel

Putting your project under source control with GitHub

This is the first of a series of mini-posts of various computer housekeeping tips, initially for my own use. Hopefully these may also be some some benefit for others.

Source control with git serves several functions:

  • It provides a method of keeping track of changes made to your code, so you can roll back to a previous save if needed.
  • If used with a remote hosting service such as GitHub, gives a convenient back up of your code in the cloud.
  • Allows easy collaboration with other developers.
  • Can be used by many providers for managing deployment.

Let’s Get Started

  • Install git on your system, if not alread done: Git Install

  • Make directory to hold project

For iOS development: Create Xcode Project - start with appropriate project type

  • Navigate to your project folder using the command line.

  • In Terminal, put project under source control.

      git init

  • Create a .gitignore file.

A .gitignore file lists the files and directories you do not want under source control, such as hidden files (.DS_Store on MacOS) , environment files (.env), secure credentials, venv and test directories, etc.

  • Once you have files ready to be placed under source control, view the files that have been created or changed.

      git status

  • Track these files so they can be commited.

      git add .

  • Commit the waiting files.

      git commit -m “Project setup”

Only push commits that will build and run.

  • Now that you have a local git repo on your system, get ready to save it on GitHub:

  • Create new repository on GitHub. GitHub: Create a repo

  • Push your local repo to the remote main branch.

      git remote add origin <URL>
  git push origin main

  • Continue your work in a dev branch. This becomes your HEAD branch.

      git checkout -b <new-branch>

Other Useful Git Commands

  • git log Shows all commits.

  • git branch -av Lists all local branches.

  • git remote -v List all remote branches.

  • git checkout <branch> Switches your HEAD branch.

  • git branch -m <new-branch> Rename your HEAD branch.

  • git branch -d <local-branch> Delete local branch.

  • git push origin --delete <remote-branch-name> Delete remote branch.