Common vocabulary when working with GitHub and Git. For more vocabulary, see the GitHub Glossary
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Branch - According to the Glossary, it is "a parallel version of a repository...but does not affect the primary or master branch allowing you to work freely without disrupting the "live" version." One branch can be merged into another using a pull request.
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Clone - Creates a local (saved to machine) copy of a project (see Repository).
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Commit - Similar to saving an edit in a file. Commits have unique IDs that allow users or collaborators to see who changed a file, when they changed it, and what they changed. According to the Glossary, "Commits usually contain a commit message which is a brief description of what changes were made."
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Fetch - Once a repository is cloned, fetching is the process of copying over changes from the remote repository to your local one without merging the information.
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Fork - To copy of another user's repository. Forked repositories can be edited without affecting the original repository. Changes can be submitted to the original repository through use of a pull request.
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Git - A distributed version control system (DVCS).
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Git Bash - Microsoft Windows application that allows Windows users to utilize Git in the command line.
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Git Large File Storage (LFS) - An extension that allows users to store references to large files in their repository.
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gitignore - A file (typically located in the root directory) that informs Git of which files or folders Git should ignore in a project.
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Markdown - A plain-text syntax that allows users to style text for the web. README files (like this one) are typically written in markdown. GitHub has its own version of markdown.
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Master branch - The primary branch in a repository.
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Merge - Takes the changes from one branch and combines them with another.
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Pull request - Asking the owner of a repository to merge two repository branches to combine edits. Collaborators are able to comment on and review the potential changes.
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Push - If a clone was created and then edited, you are able to push commits to the remote repository. Pushing essentially updates the remote repository (GitHub) with any commits that were made locally.
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README - A plain-text file and form of documentation that contains information about other files or software. Many open-source software pr projects contain a README, which oftentimes provides installation instructions, software specs, copyright, troubleshooting, or file information.
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Repository - The collection of files and folders (as well as their versions) associated with a specific project.
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Root directory - The top-most directory in a heirarchy. University of Waterloo created helpful diagrams to explain directory structures.
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Version control - The process by which different drafts (versions) of a recorded element are managed.