# Git for Beginners: Basics and Essential Commands

## **What is Git?**

Git is a version control system that maintains track of the project. It makes switching between various versions of the project. It helps in undoing errors and modifications.

## **Why We Use Git?**

Git is a version control system. If we make a mistake, we can't undo it without a version control system. We're losing track of what we changed. We can still handle these things when we're working alone, but it will be a mess when we work with other people on the same job. The other person can't see what and where we've changed, and none of us can see what and where they have changed.

* It keeps the project on track.
    
* We can revert the changes.
    
* Helps in collaboration work
    

## Core Terminologies

### Repository (repo)

A repository is a complete folder that contains the entire project as well as its Git history.

### **Commit**

Commit is basically saving the changes to the files.

### **Branch**

The branch is like a separate workspace where we can make changes and try new ideas without affecting the main project.

### Head

Head **is a special pointer that acts as a reference to the commit I am currently working on**.

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1768654563533/da109f72-56ef-40cb-b2d7-d7eb08f8404e.png align="center")

## Common Git Commands

### git init

git init creates a repository along with the .git folder, which is responsible for tracking the changes in the project files.

```bash
git init #Initialize the repository
```

### git add

git add stages the changes and prepares them for the commit.

```bash
git add filename #add only one untracked and modified file
git add . #add all untracked and modified files
```

### **git commit**

Save the changes permanently.

```bash
git commit -m"commit message" #It commits all the changes
```

### **git log**

It shows the history of commits.

```bash
git log
```

### **git status**

git status shows what is going on right now in the repo.

```bash
git status #Show the status
```

![Local](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1768655788247/0b18cd78-914d-4817-b4f8-3ad598ceee4c.png align="center")

## Frequently Used Git Commands

```bash
git status #Check the status of unstaged changes
git init #Initialize a new Git repository
git add filename or 
git add .    # Stage files for commit
git commit -m "Your message here" #Commit local with a meaningful message
git push origin main # Push changes to remote
git log #View commit history
```