Step 2: What is GitHub?
GitHub is a website where developers store and share their code. Think of it like Google Drive or Dropbox, but specifically designed for code projects.
Why Use GitHub?
- •Backup your code safely — Never lose your work, even if your computer crashes.
- •Collaborate with others — Multiple people can work on the same project without confusion.
- •Show your work — Employers love to see your GitHub profile. It's like a portfolio for developers.
Git vs GitHub — What's the Difference?
Git
A tool that runs on your computer. It tracks changes to your files.
GitHub
A website where you upload your Git projects to share them online.
Simple analogy: Git is like Microsoft Word (helps you create documents). GitHub is like Google Drive (stores those documents online).
Try It Yourself
Visit github.com and create a free account. It takes just 2 minutes! You'll need this account for later lessons.
Go to GitHub →Your First Command
Let's check if Git is installed on your computer. Open your terminal (or Command Prompt on Windows) and type:
git --versionThis checks if Git is installed. You should see something like git version 2.x.x
Common Mistakes
Don't worry if you see an error! If the command doesn't work, it usually means Git isn't installed yet. We'll fix that in the next lesson. Seeing errors is completely normal when learning — it doesn't mean you did something wrong!
Quick Summary
- GitHub is a website for storing and sharing code
- Git is the tool; GitHub is the website
- You need a free GitHub account to follow along