At its core, GitHub is a web-based platform that serves as a central hub for software developers to host, manage, and track changes in their code. Think of it as a sophisticated cloud-based storage and collaboration tool specifically designed for coding projects. To truly grasp what GitHub is and why it’s so essential in the tech world, we need to understand two fundamental concepts:
- Version Control
- Git
Let’s break down these concepts and then delve deeper into GitHub and how it empowers developers, especially in ecosystems like WordPress and platforms like Kinsta.
Understanding Version Control
Version control is a system that meticulously records changes to a file or set of files over time so that you can recall specific versions later. In software development, this is crucial. Imagine a large project like WordPress. It’s constantly evolving, with numerous developers contributing. Directly editing the “official” source code would be chaotic and risky.
This is where version control comes to the rescue, enabling developers to work concurrently and safely through branching and merging.
Branching allows a developer to create a duplicate, or a “branch,” of a part of the main codebase, known as the repository. This isolated branch becomes a safe space for the developer to experiment and implement changes without affecting the live project or other developers’ work.
Once the developer has refined their code and ensured it functions correctly, they can then merge their branch back into the main source code. This integration makes their contributions official and part of the project’s progression.
Crucially, version control meticulously tracks every change made, offering a complete history and the ability to revert to previous states if necessary. This safety net is invaluable in collaborative and complex software development.
Delving into Git
Git is a powerful and widely-adopted open-source version control system. Created by Linus Torvalds in 2005, the mastermind behind Linux, Git has become the industry standard for version control.
Specifically, Git is a distributed version control system. This means that every developer working on a project has a complete copy of the codebase and its entire history on their local machine. This distributed nature facilitates seamless branching and merging, as developers can work independently and efficiently.
The popularity of Git is undeniable. According to the 2018 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, over 87% of developers rely on Git for version control, highlighting its dominance in the field.
What Exactly is GitHub?
GitHub, in essence, is a for-profit company that provides a cloud-based hosting service for Git repositories. It simplifies the complexities of using Git, making version control and collaboration accessible to individuals and teams alike.
GitHub provides a user-friendly interface that abstracts away much of the technical intricacies of Git, making it approachable even for coding novices. Without GitHub, leveraging Git often requires a stronger command-line proficiency and a deeper understanding of its underlying mechanisms.
However, GitHub’s intuitive design has broadened its appeal beyond software development. Some users even utilize GitHub for managing diverse projects like collaboratively writing books, showcasing its versatility.
A key aspect of GitHub’s popularity is its accessibility. Anyone can sign up for free and host public code repositories, making it the go-to platform for open-source projects. This open nature fosters collaboration and innovation within the developer community.
GitHub’s business model revolves around offering paid services, primarily hosted private code repositories and enterprise-focused plans. These paid plans cater to organizations by providing enhanced team management features, security controls, and collaboration tools. At Kinsta, for example, GitHub is extensively used for managing and developing internal projects, underscoring its value in professional software development environments.
Exploring the GitHub Interface and Workflow
To illustrate the GitHub interface, let’s look at the WordPress source code repository hosted on GitHub:
From this repository, you can navigate through different branches where developers are working on specific features or bug fixes. You can also see commits, which represent individual changes or “saves” made to the code. Depending on the repository’s settings, you might be able to create your own branch and make commits to it.
Once you’ve made changes in your branch, you can propose integrating your code back into another branch by submitting a pull request. A pull request acts as a formal request to the branch maintainer to review and incorporate your code. It also provides a clear view of the changes you’ve made, facilitating code review and collaboration.
If you intend to make more extensive or long-term modifications to the WordPress source code within your own account, you can fork the repository by clicking the “Fork” button. A fork is essentially a personal copy of the entire repository, allowing you to freely experiment and modify the code independently. It’s conceptually similar to a branch but is more permanent and resides within your own GitHub account.
Interestingly, WordPress itself has roots in forking, as it was originally forked from b2/cafelog. For a hands-on introduction to using GitHub, their Hello World guide offers a beginner-friendly tutorial.
Git and GitHub Integration at Kinsta
Kinsta provides a Git client, enabling users to leverage SSH to directly pull Git repositories from GitHub (or similar services) to their hosting environment. This integration streamlines development workflows for Kinsta users who utilize Git for version control.
For detailed instructions on using Git and GitHub with Kinsta, refer to this comprehensive help article.
Expanding Git and GitHub Usage with WordPress
Many WordPress theme and plugin developers host their project’s source code on GitHub. For instance, you can explore the code for the Elementor page builder, the Zerif Lite theme, and countless other WordPress projects on GitHub. This open hosting fosters community contributions and transparency within the WordPress ecosystem.
Furthermore, several WordPress plugins directly integrate Git functionality into WordPress itself.
VersionPress, for example, aims to bring the power of Git version control to standard WordPress actions, such as updating posts or installing plugins. VersionPress extends version control to both the WordPress database and files, providing a robust versioning system for WordPress sites.
WP Pusher is another Git-centric plugin that simplifies the deployment of themes and plugins directly from GitHub to your WordPress website. These plugins demonstrate the growing integration of Git and GitHub into the WordPress development workflow.
Getting Started with GitHub
To embark on your GitHub journey:
- Sign up for a free GitHub account at github.com.
- Explore the GitHub Learning Lab for interactive courses and guides: lab.github.com.
- Create your first repository and start managing your code with Git and GitHub.
GitHub is an indispensable tool for modern software development, fostering collaboration, efficient version control, and a thriving open-source community. Whether you are a seasoned developer or just starting to code, understanding and utilizing GitHub is a valuable skill in today’s tech landscape.
