Git Fundamentals

Git is a version control system that tracks changes to your files. Think of it as an unlimited "undo" system for your project.

Key concepts:

• Working Directory — your files as they are right now
• Staging Area — files you've marked to include in the next commit
• Repository — the saved history of all your commits

Try these commands in order in the terminal below:

1. git status — see what files have changed
2. git add index.html — stage a file
3. git status — see it's now staged
4. git commit -m "Add homepage" — save the snapshot

Branches let you work on features without affecting the main code.

main:      A ── B ── C
                     \
feature:              D ── E

Common branch commands:

• git branch feature — create a new branch
• git checkout feature — switch to it
• git checkout -b feature — create + switch (shortcut)
• git merge feature — merge feature into current branch

The typical workflow:

1. Create a branch for your feature
2. Make commits on that branch
3. Switch back to main
4. Merge the feature branch in

1. What does git add do?

2. What is the correct order of operations?

3. git checkout -b feature is a shortcut for what?