Git for Distributed Software Development from edX

As the Linux kernel has thousands of developers spread worldwide, working on many different time zones and on various complex projects, it became imperative to coordinate and keep track of all that work in a rational way. Git was designed for that purpose, and it has since grown to be used by literally millions of other development projects; it is the underpinning of most open source software work that is being done today.

This course is designed for computer users who have limited or no experience working in a collaborative development environment; and/or for those who already have done some work on Linux and other open source projects and are looking to gain a good grasp of how to use Git.

In this course, you will learn what Git is and how to install it. You will see how to initialize a repository, make changes in it, make it available to others, and acquire and use the changes made by other individuals. The course will teach you how to find errors in your and others' work, and how to go back to a working copy to quickly identify the change that produced the error. You will also become familiar with some essential Git procedures, such as cloning, branching, making commits, getting diffs, doing merges, and rebasing. The course will touch on complicated workflows so you understand how to approach them when problems arise.

The purpose of this course is to get you up and running so you will be able to contribute and use Git in a relatively short amount of time. Upon course completion you should be able to understand what tools are needed to successfully handle many complex issues and workflows that arise during the collaborative development process.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Use git to create new repositories or clone existing ones
Commit new changes, review revision histories, and examine differences with older versions.

Work with different branches, merge repositories, and work with a distributed development team.

Use git to create new repositories or clone existing ones
Commit new changes, review revision histories, and examine differences with older versions.
Work with different branches, merge repositories, and work with a distributed development team.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores a widely used version control system in open-source software development

Develops core Git skills that can be applied to collaborative development workflows

Provides a structured and accessible introduction to Git for beginners

Taught by an experienced instructor with a proven track record in Linux kernel development

Offered through a reputable provider known for its online education platform

Provides hands-on practice through exercises and interactive materials

Reviews summary

Valuable technology course

Learners say that this course is an excellent opportunity to learn more about technology. Students have gained valuable knowledge and experience working with the people presenting the content.

Learners have gained valuable knowledge from this course.

"This was an excellent opportunity for me to learn more about technology."

"I have gained valuable knowledge and experience working with the people presenting the content."

Students have gained valuable experience from this course.

"I have gained valuable knowledge and experience working with the people presenting the content."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Git for Distributed Software Development with these activities:

Review Linux fundamentals

Show steps

Review basic Linux concepts such as file systems, permissions, and command-line navigation to strengthen your foundation for Git.

Browse courses on Linux Fundamentals

Show steps

Revisit file management commands like cd, ls, mkdir, and rm.
Practice using text editors like nano or vim for basic file manipulation.
Explore Linux directories and file structures using the file manager.

Follow interactive Git tutorials

Show steps

Enhance your understanding of Git by following interactive tutorials that provide step-by-step guidance and hands-on practice.

Show steps

Explore tutorials on platforms like GitHub, Codecademy, or Coursera.
Complete interactive exercises and quizzes to test your comprehension.
Review and practice the concepts covered in the tutorials.

Practice Git commands in a sandbox

Show steps

Reinforce your understanding of Git commands by practicing them in a safe and isolated environment.

Show steps

Set up a sandbox environment using a virtual machine or online platform.
Execute basic Git commands like init, add, commit, and push.
Experiment with branching, merging, and resolving conflicts.

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Create a Git cheat sheet

Show steps

Solidify your understanding of Git commands by creating a comprehensive cheat sheet for quick reference.

Show steps

Compile a list of essential Git commands and their functions.
Organize the commands into logical categories or workflows.
Use a tool like Google Docs or Notion to create a visually appealing cheat sheet.

Join a Git study group

Show steps

Collaborate with peers to discuss Git concepts, troubleshoot issues, and share best practices.

Show steps

Find or create a study group with fellow students or colleagues.
Establish regular meeting times and discuss specific Git topics.
Work together on Git projects and provide feedback to each other.

Compile a collection of Git resources

Show steps

Enhance your access to Git resources by compiling a curated list of tutorials, articles, and cheat sheets.

Show steps

Search for high-quality Git resources from reputable sources.
Organize the resources into a logical structure, such as categories or chronological order.
Share your compilation with fellow students or online communities.

Attend a Git workshop

Show steps

Deepen your knowledge of Git by attending workshops led by experienced practitioners.

Show steps

Research and identify relevant Git workshops in your area or online.
Register and participate in the workshop, actively engaging in discussions and exercises.
Apply the knowledge and skills gained from the workshop to your own Git projects.

Contribute to an open-source Git project

Show steps

Enhance your practical experience by contributing to an open-source Git project, understanding real-world Git workflows.

Show steps

Identify an open-source Git project that aligns with your interests.
Review the project's contribution guidelines and codebase.
Make a pull request with your code changes or documentation improvements.

Career center

Learners who complete Git for Distributed Software Development will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. They work on a variety of projects, from small personal apps to large enterprise systems. This course provides a foundation in Git, a version control system that is essential for collaborative software development. By learning Git, you will be able to effectively contribute to software projects and work with other developers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineers work to bridge the gap between development and operations teams. They are responsible for ensuring that software is deployed and maintained reliably and efficiently. This course provides a foundation in Git, a version control system that is essential for DevOps. By learning Git, you will be able to effectively manage code changes and work with other team members.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

System Administrator

System Administrators are responsible for maintaining and managing computer systems. They ensure that systems are running smoothly and that data is secure. This course provides a foundation in Git, a version control system that is essential for system administration. By learning Git, you will be able to effectively track changes to system configurations and work with other administrators.

See salaries and explore the career path for System Administrator

Database Administrator

Database Administrators are responsible for managing and maintaining databases. They ensure that databases are running smoothly and that data is secure. This course provides a foundation in Git, a version control system that is essential for database administration. By learning Git, you will be able to effectively track changes to database schemas and work with other administrators.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning and managing software development projects. They work with stakeholders to define project requirements and ensure that projects are delivered on time and within budget. This course provides a foundation in Git, a version control system that is essential for project management. By learning Git, you will be able to effectively track project progress and work with other team members.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Software Architect

Software Architects design and develop the architecture of software systems. They work on large-scale projects and are responsible for ensuring that systems are scalable, reliable, and secure. This course provides a foundation in Git, a version control system that is essential for software architecture. By learning Git, you will be able to effectively manage code changes and work with other architects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Architect

Technical Writer

Technical Writers create documentation for software and other technical products. They work with developers and other stakeholders to gather information and write clear and concise documentation. This course provides a foundation in Git, a version control system that is essential for technical writing. By learning Git, you will be able to effectively track changes to documentation and work with other writers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality Assurance Analysts test software to ensure that it meets requirements and is free of defects. They work with developers to identify and fix bugs. This course provides a foundation in Git, a version control system that is essential for quality assurance. By learning Git, you will be able to effectively track changes to software and work with other testers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve business problems. They work with data from a variety of sources to identify trends and patterns. This course provides a foundation in Git, a version control system that is essential for data science. By learning Git, you will be able to effectively track changes to data and models and work with other data scientists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Machine Learning Engineer

Machine Learning Engineers develop and deploy machine learning models. They work with data scientists to identify and solve business problems. This course provides a foundation in Git, a version control system that is essential for machine learning. By learning Git, you will be able to effectively track changes to models and work with other engineers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, clean, and analyze data to identify trends and patterns. They work with stakeholders to communicate insights and make recommendations. This course provides a foundation in Git, a version control system that is essential for data analysis. By learning Git, you will be able to effectively track changes to data and work with other analysts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Business Analyst

Business Analysts identify and solve business problems. They work with stakeholders to gather requirements and develop solutions. This course provides a foundation in Git, a version control system that is essential for business analysis. By learning Git, you will be able to effectively track changes to requirements and work with other analysts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products. They work with stakeholders to define product requirements and ensure that products are delivered on time and within budget. This course provides a foundation in Git, a version control system that is essential for product management. By learning Git, you will be able to effectively track product progress and work with other team members.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

UX Designer

UX Designers design user interfaces for websites and other products. They work with stakeholders to gather requirements and create user-friendly designs. This course provides a foundation in Git, a version control system that is essential for UX design. By learning Git, you will be able to effectively track changes to designs and work with other designers.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

Web Developer

Web Developers develop and maintain websites. They work with designers and other stakeholders to create websites that are both functional and visually appealing. This course provides a foundation in Git, a version control system that is essential for web development. By learning Git, you will be able to effectively track changes to code and work with other developers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer