Starting with Git

Git is a distributed revision control system. This means that git will track the changes in any directory you tell it to. Starting out with git you will only need a handful of commands. I will try to explain each of these to the best of my knowledge.

Git quick steps. (here we go)

Step one - move to the directory(folder) that you would like to start using git in.

Step two - type in the command git init . This will set the origin (starting point) for the tracking of your directory.

Step three - This is the step that you do your work. Like creating files or directories.

Step four - Now we check that git noticed any changes you have made since step two. At this step we type in the command git status. This will show us that git noticed the changes.

Step five - This step we will add our changed files to the staging area. We do this by typing the command git add [your filename]. This stages your changes to get ready for the last step.

Step six - In this final step we will use the following command to update the file we changed: git commit -m 'description of what was done'

Now we have started git to track any changes and completed one cycle of the git work flow of modify files > stage files > commit files.

Quick Recap of commands used:
Step one - change to directory that git is needed.
Step two - git init
Step three - make your changes
Step four - git status to see changed files
Step five - git add [filename] to stage changes
Step six - git commit -m 'description'
Step seven - rinse and repeat.

Next post I will explain how to set up a repo on GitHub and how to link it up with your work.

Keep coding friends,
Ryan Smyth

Focus

I have been teaching myself to code on and off over the last year. I have followed many tutorials only to get hung up on one little part and then go searching for the next one that promises to teach you everything you need to know. I have come to realize that the only constant variable in all these tutorials is me. Truthfully that is the best thing. I have learned that we are all capable of changing ourselves and have the ability to learn any skill that we truly desire.

 I started my working career as wide eyed electrical apprentice 17 years ago. I remember the feeling back then being overwhelmed with all the things I didn't understand and know about being an electrician. Back then I would have never thought that I could become a real electrician. Even after I became a master electrician I still never thought that I was truly qualified of the title. Recently I have been guiding a lot of new people on their quest to become an electrician and it really helps me see how far I've come from the days of not understanding how to wire for a simple light switch.

 I have noticed that my current path to becoming a software developer is a lot like the old tried and true path I learned becoming an electrician. It starts with learning a whole lot of things you do not think are connected and then the switch is flipped and it all comes together. Just like when I was first learning the ins and outs of becoming an electrician, i have come to see that only hard work and focus will get you through it to the end.

 I have learned a lot over the last year in my self studies but now it is time to commit and turn my focus to becoming a true coder. I am now starting my first week at DaVinci Coders. This is a 14 week immersive course teaching the foundations of a junior Ruby on Rails Developer. After a lot of research I truly believe that this will be the beginning of flipping on the switch in programming that I have been searching for. This blog will be updated weekly with all the things I am learning at DaVinci Coders. I know I will miss some items, but I will do my best to document the skills it takes to become a junior Ruby on Rails developer.

Keep Coding My Friends,

Ryan Smyth