Questa è una versione PDF del contenuto. Per la versione completa e aggiornata, visita:
https://blog.tuttosemplice.com/en/git-and-github-a-basic-guide-for-successful-web-developers/
Verrai reindirizzato automaticamente...
In the world of web development, where collaboration and efficiency are crucial, tools like Git and GitHub have become indispensable. This isn’t just about software, but a methodological approach that has revolutionized how teams create, manage, and share code. Understanding the difference between Git, a version control system, and GitHub, a hosting platform for Git projects, is the first step for anyone looking to enter the software development industry. Git allows you to track every single change to the code, while GitHub provides the infrastructure to collaborate on those projects.
This guide is designed for developers and aspiring developers in Italy and Europe, a context where artisanal tradition meets technological innovation. Adopting Git and GitHub means embracing a workflow that ensures order, traceability, and quality—values deeply rooted in Mediterranean production culture. Learning to use these tools is not just a technical requirement, but a fundamental step toward building a solid and competitive career in the global digital market, which increasingly demands flexibility and adaptability.
Git is a distributed version control system (DVCS) created by Linus Torvalds, the same mind behind Linux. Its main purpose is to manage and track changes made to a project’s files over time. Imagine working on a website: every change, from fixing a small bug to adding a new section, is recorded as a “snapshot” of the project, called a commit. This allows you to revert to a previous version at any time without risking the loss of completed work. Its distributed nature means that every developer has a complete copy of the project’s history, allowing them to work independently and offline, and then sync their changes later.
GitHub, on the other hand, is a web-based hosting platform for Git repositories. If Git is the tool, GitHub is the place where projects come to life collaboratively. Founded in 2008, it has become the world’s largest code host, used by millions of developers and over 90% of Fortune 100 companies. GitHub does more than just host code; it adds social features like the ability to follow other developers, comment on code, and contribute to open-source projects through pull requests, a mechanism for proposing changes in a structured way. Together, Git and GitHub form a powerful ecosystem that supports the entire software development lifecycle.
To start working with Git and GitHub, it’s essential to understand some basic commands and concepts. The starting point is the repository, or “repo,” which is the folder containing all the project files and their version history. A project can begin in two ways: by creating a new local repository with the git init command or by cloning an existing repository from GitHub with git clone. The latter operation creates a local copy of the project, complete with its entire history.
Once you’ve made changes to the files, the typical workflow involves three steps. First, you select the changes to be saved with the git add command, moving them to the so-called staging area. Next, you create a permanent snapshot of these changes with git commit -m "descriptive message", where the message explains what was done. Finally, to share your work with the rest of the team, you send the commits to the remote repository on GitHub using the git push command. To receive updates made by others, you use the git pull command instead.
One of Git’s most powerful features is branching. A branch is an independent line of development, a sort of copy of the project where you can work without affecting the main version, usually called main or master. This approach is crucial for innovation: it allows you to experiment with new features, fix bugs, or simply try out ideas in a safe, isolated environment. If the new feature is ready and tested, the branch can be merged into the main branch. Otherwise, it can simply be discarded with no consequences.
Creating a new branch is simple: you use the command git checkout -b branch-name. This command creates the new branch and immediately switches you to it. From that moment on, every commit will be recorded only on that specific branch. This working method is the foundation of modern collaboration on GitHub. It allows multiple developers to work simultaneously on different parts of the same project, reducing conflicts and keeping the main codebase stable and functional. Such a structured work organization is fundamental for complex projects, like creating an e-commerce site or a detailed web portal.
The pull request (PR) is the heart of collaboration on GitHub. It is a formal request to merge changes from one branch into another, usually from your working branch to the project’s main branch. When a developer opens a pull request, they are not just asking to integrate their code; they are starting a discussion. Team members can review the changes, leave comments, suggest improvements, and even add more commits before the merge is approved. This code review process is fundamental for ensuring software quality and promoting knowledge sharing within the team.
The “Fork & Pull” model is particularly popular in open-source projects. It involves creating your own personal copy (fork) of a public repository. You then make changes on your fork and open a pull request to the original repository. This workflow allows anyone to contribute to a project without needing direct write permissions, breaking down barriers to entry and fostering a culture of open collaboration. It’s a perfect example of how innovation can arise from collective contribution, a principle that is becoming increasingly important in the European corporate context as well.
In the IT job market, both in Italy and the rest of Europe, knowledge of Git and GitHub is now a given for any web developer. Many job listings state it as an explicit requirement or a significant “plus.” Having an active and well-maintained GitHub profile, with contributions to personal or open-source projects, serves as a true technical portfolio. It demonstrates not only technical competence but also passion, collaborative skills, and familiarity with modern workflows—qualities highly sought after by employers.
This is especially true in an economy that blends tradition and innovation. Consider an Italian company that wants to digitize its catalog of artisanal products, perhaps by creating a website for artists or a portal to promote “Made in Italy” goods. A development team using Git and GitHub can work in an agile and structured manner, ensuring the final product is robust and high-quality, just like the craftsmanship it represents. The ability to track every change and collaborate transparently is an added value that aligns perfectly with the attention to detail typical of Mediterranean culture.
Furthermore, familiarity with these tools is essential for anyone aspiring to work remotely or as a freelancer, an increasingly common model. Platforms like GitHub are vital for professionals collaborating from a distance, allowing them to manage complex projects efficiently regardless of their geographical location. For those just starting, it’s important not only to learn the basics of HTML and CSS but also to integrate the use of Git into their learning path from the very beginning to be ready for the challenges of the global market.
In conclusion, Git and GitHub are not just technical tools, but fundamental pillars of modern software development culture. For web developers in Italy and Europe, mastering this ecosystem means not only acquiring an essential job skill but also adopting a mindset geared toward collaboration, quality, and continuous innovation. The ability to manage code in a structured way, collaborate effectively in distributed teams, and contribute to larger projects is what distinguishes a prepared and competitive professional. In a market that values both solid tradition and the drive for the future, Git and GitHub represent the perfect bridge between these two worlds, offering the order and discipline needed to build excellent and lasting digital products.
It’s a very common question. Think of Git as a car’s engine and GitHub as the car itself, with the body, dashboard, and seats. **Git** is the software, a distributed version control system that you install on your computer. It allows you to save “snapshots” (called *commits*) of your project over time, keeping track of every change. **GitHub**, on the other hand, is a web platform (a service) that hosts projects managed with Git. In addition to storing the code, it adds collaborative features like team management, issue tracking, and code review, making it a social tool for developers.
Absolutely. While Git is famous for collaboration, it also offers huge advantages for those who work alone. It gives you a complete history of your project, providing the security of being able to revert to a previous version at any time if something goes wrong. It’s like having a time machine for your code. Additionally, it helps you keep your work organized, eliminating the need to create folders like `project_v1`, `project_v2`, `project_final`. Lastly, using Git is a fundamental skill required in the developer job market, so learning it is an investment in your professional future.
Git’s learning curve can seem steep at first because it introduces new concepts like *repository*, *branch*, and *commit*. Many beginners feel confused initially, which is a normal feeling. However, you don’t need to know every command to start being productive. By learning about ten basic commands (like `git add`, `git commit`, `git push`, `git pull`), you’ll already be able to manage your projects and collaborate with others. With consistent practice, these commands will become a natural part of your workflow.
Getting started is easier than you think. The first step is to install Git on your computer from the official website. Next, create a free account on GitHub.com. At this point, the typical workflow is: 1) Create a folder for your project and initialize it with the `git init` command. 2) Create a new *repository* on GitHub. 3) Link your local folder to the remote repository on GitHub and upload your files. There are countless online guides, including for beginners, that show you how to perform these steps.
Yes, GitHub offers a very generous free plan that includes all core features and unlimited private repositories, perfect for both individual developers and small teams. There are also paid plans for businesses that need advanced features. As for ownership, there’s an important distinction: **Git** is open-source software created by Linus Torvalds (the creator of Linux) and maintained by the community. **GitHub**, on the other hand, is a company founded in 2008 that provides the hosting service and has been owned by Microsoft since 2018.