Introduction to Version Control using Git (Part 1 of 2)

This is Part 1 of a double workshop that meets on two days. When you register for this event, you will automatically be registered for Part 2 on 1/14/22 from 10:00 AM-12:30 PM.

A Version Control System (VCS) records changes to files automatically to allow for easy recall of different versions. Git is a leading modern VCS that allows users to manage and navigate the history of their files across time, across collaborators, and even across parallel versions, all in a comprehensive and consistent manner. It is easy to set up, is used across research and industry, and has grown an expansive community thanks in part to services such as Github, Bitbucket, and Gitlab. And Git is not just for code –" it can track any type of plain-text file (including documents) on any computer. This workshop introduces the fundamentals of Git in an exercise-driven, hands-on format. Even though the emphasis will be on using Git (and Github) for a solo workflow, the material covered will equip users with the necessary background to start using Git collaboratively as well. It is geared toward anyone looking to learn the basics of using Git to organize their work (and, conversely, how to make their workflows Git-friendly).

Learning objectives:

Participants will leave with a solid understanding of Git foundations and a grasp on useful Git workflows. They will learn to use Git locally on their own computers, as well as in tandem with Github. This workshop will mainly focus on using Git individually and will only touch briefly on team workflows.

Knowledge prerequisites:

Basic facility with the bash command-line is required. Access to a text editor that can edit simple plain text files is also required (e.g. nano, vim, emacs, Atom, Sublime, etc). No prior experience with Git or any other VCS is assumed. However, in order to prime their brains with some exposure to lingo and concepts before the workshop, participants should read the following sections from “Pro Git” (https://git-scm.com/book/en/v2), a free online book available in both PDF and HTML formats (about 1–"1.5 hours of reading):
-Required: Chapters 1, 2.1–"2.5, 3.1, 3.2, 3.5, 6, 7.7
-Suggested: Chapters 2.7, 2.8, 3.3, 3.4, 3.6, 3.7, 6.7
Of course, motivated participants are encouraged to read the entire book (about 3 hours of reading), an excellent Git reference.

Hardware/software prerequisites:

Overarching requirements for all PICSciE workshops are listed on the advance setup guide for PICSciE workshops (https://researchcomputing.princeton.edu/learn/workshops-live-training/hardware-and-software-requirements-picscie-workshops). Participants should ensure they have met these requirements in advance, as there will be no technical troubleshooting during the workshop itself.

Ideally, participants should install Git on their local machines in advance (Chapter 1.5 of “Pro Git” describes installation). In addition, because this workshop is conducted on the command line, participants will also need to access a Linux/Unix-like command line and be able to run Git from there. A description of how to access a command line for your operating system can be found on the advance setup guide for PICSciE workshops https://researchcomputing.princeton.edu/learn/workshops-live-training/requirements-picscie-virtual-workshops.

Participants who do not have Git installed on their laptops or do not have access to a command line on their laptops (or both) may instead prefer to run the workshop on the Adroit cluster (which gives access both to a command line and to Git). Steps for registering for an account on and then accessing Adroit via SSH or the myadroit web portal are described in the advance setup guide for PICSciE virtual workshops. (https://researchcomputing.princeton.edu/learn/workshops-live-training/requirements-picscie-virtual-workshops). THERE WILL BE LITTLE TO NO TROUBLESHOOTING DURING THE SESSION ITSELF!


Session format:

Presentation, demo, and hands-on

What to expect:
Double workshop (meets twice a week for 2-hour sessions = 4 total hours of meeting time)

Meet the facilitator:
Dev Dabke (he / him) is a Ph.D. student in the Program in Applied and Computational Mathematics (PACM) at Princeton; he graduated from Duke in 2018 having studied mathematics and computer science as an Angier B. Duke Scholar. He is also the Chief Director and Founder of AG350, Inc., an educational technology company focused on course logistics and student metrics (and that uses git and Github as core technologies); previously, he has worked at Airtable, BlackRock, and has served as the CTO for two previous ventures. Dev has given several workshops on git, including at HackDuke, where he won the Grand Prize, and continued on to mentor and judge for the annual competition. He hopes to one day version control his life.

To request accommodations for this event, please contact the workshop or event facilitator at least 3 working days prior to the event.

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Co-hosted with: PICSciE/Research Computing

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