Git & GitLab Day 1

Day 1 of my full stack development in java ....
Here I am mentioned my doubts and my learnings on my first day....

1. Version Control: Centralized vs. Decentralized

Centralized Version Control (CVCS):

  • Example: Subversion (SVN), Perforce.
  • How it works: There’s a central repository where all the version-controlled files are stored. Developers check out files, make changes, and then check them back into the central repository.
  • Advantages:
    • Easier to manage and control since all the code is in one central place.
    • Simpler for smaller teams or organizations.
  • Disadvantages:
    • The central repository is a single point of failure. If it's down, no one can commit or access the repository.
    • Limited offline access.

Decentralized Version Control (DVCS):

  • Example: Git, Mercurial.
  • How it works: Each developer has a full copy of the repository (including its history). Changes are made locally and then pushed to remote repositories like GitLab or GitHub.
  • Advantages:
    • No single point of failure, and developers can work offline and still access the entire history of the project.
    • Branching and merging are more powerful and flexible.
  • Disadvantages:
    • More complex workflows due to the decentralized nature.
    • Requires discipline to keep local repositories synchronized with the main project.

2. Why Linux over Windows for Development?

  • Open Source: Linux is open-source, allowing developers to modify and customize the OS to fit their needs. This is great for programmers who want more control.
  • Better Command-Line Tools: Linux has powerful built-in command-line utilities, which makes tasks like managing code, installing software, and configuring systems more efficient.
  • Package Management: Linux has package managers (like APT for Ubuntu or YUM for Fedora), making it easy to install and manage development tools.
  • Stability and Performance: Linux is known for its stability and performance, especially for server-side applications.
  • Security: Linux is more secure by design, which is important when managing code and servers.
  • Development Tools: Many programming languages and tools (like Git, Docker, Node.js, etc.) are developed first for Linux, and it often provides better compatibility.

3. Why GitLab over GitHub?

  • Self-Hosting: GitLab allows you to host your own GitLab instance, giving you full control over your repositories and privacy.
  • Integrated DevOps: GitLab provides an integrated CI/CD pipeline, issue tracking, and project management in a single interface, unlike GitHub, which often requires third-party integrations for some of these features.
  • More Features in the Free Plan: GitLab has more built-in features for free, such as private repositories, CI/CD pipelines, and project management tools.
  • Enterprise Support: GitLab offers a robust enterprise version, which is ideal for organizations that need additional support, features, and security.
  • Better for Team Collaboration: GitLab’s features like built-in CI/CD, code reviews, and issue tracking make it excellent for collaborative team environments.
  • Security and Compliance: GitLab provides tools for managing secure software development, compliance, and monitoring.

4. Why Git over Other Version Control Systems?

  • Distributed Nature: Git allows developers to work offline and still have access to the full history of the project, unlike centralized systems like SVN.
  • Speed and Efficiency: Git is optimized for performance, especially for large projects, thanks to its efficient handling of branches and commits.
  • Flexibility in Branching and Merging: Git makes branching and merging much easier and more flexible than other VCS systems.
  • Popularity and Community: Git is the most widely used version control system, meaning there’s a large community, plenty of documentation, and lots of third-party tools and integrations.
  • Integration with Platforms: Git integrates seamlessly with platforms like GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, making it an easy choice for developers looking for cloud-based collaboration.

5. Other Version Control Systems (VCS):

  • Subversion (SVN): Centralized version control. It’s good for large teams with central server access but lacks the flexibility of Git.
  • Mercurial (Hg): Another decentralized version control system similar to Git but with a simpler interface.
  • Perforce: Used for large codebases, especially in gaming and enterprise applications. It’s centralized and handles binary files well.
  • Bazaar (Bzr): A version control system that supports both centralized and decentralized models.
  • CVS (Concurrent Versions System): One of the oldest version control systems, but now considered outdated and replaced by newer systems like Git and SVN.

6. Windows Applications vs. Web Applications:

  • Windows Applications: These are software programs designed to run on the Windows operating system. They typically need to be installed on your machine and are often optimized for the Windows environment.

    • Example: Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, etc.
    • Pros: Can offer high performance and more control over the system.
    • Cons: Can be less portable (requires installation on each machine) and are limited to the Windows platform unless you use something like Wine (for Linux).

  • Web Applications: These are apps that run in a web browser and are platform-independent.

    • Example: Google Docs, Trello, GitHub, GitLab.
    • Pros: Accessible from any device with a browser, no installation required, updates happen automatically.
    • Cons: Performance may depend on internet speed, and some features may not be as powerful as desktop apps.

7. Why Linux Mint?

  • Beginner-Friendly: Linux Mint is known for being user-friendly, especially for those transitioning from Windows. It has a familiar desktop interface (Cinnamon) and is easier to set up than some other Linux distributions.
  • Great for Developers: Mint is based on Ubuntu, which has excellent support for developers, making it easy to install development tools and software.
  • Stable and Reliable: Linux Mint is known for its stability and reliability, which is why it’s a great choice for both beginners and advanced users.
  • Lightweight: It doesn’t require high system resources, which makes it a good option for older hardware or for developers who want a fast, responsive system.

**Introduction to day 2:

  • Briefly introduce Git and GitLab:
    • Git: A distributed version control system.
    • GitLab: A web-based platform for Git repositories that also supports continuous integration and DevOps.

1. How to Install Git on Linux:

  • Step 1: Update Package Index 
`sudo apt update`

  • Step 2: Install Git

    • For Ubuntu/mint: 
    sudo apt install git
    • Step 3: Verify Installation
    • Check the installed version of Git: 
    git --version

2. Create a GitLab Account:

  • Step 1: Visit GitLab (https://gitlab.com) and click on "Register" if you don’t have an account already.
  • Step 2: Fill in your details (name, email, password) to create an account.
  • Step 3: Verify your email address.
  • Step 4: Log in to GitLab.

3. Create a Group on GitLab:

  • Step 1: After logging in, click on the "Groups" option in the left menu.
  • Step 2: Click on "New Group" to create a group.
  • Step 3: Fill out the group name, description, and select the visibility (Private, Internal, or Public).
  • Step 4: Click "Create Group."

4. Create a Project in GitLab:

  • Step 1: Go to your newly created group.
  • Step 2: Click on "New Project."
  • Step 3: Choose whether it’s a blank project, importing from another repository, or using a template.
  • Step 4: Fill in the project name, description, and select the visibility (Public, Private, or Internal).
  • Step 5: Click "Create Project."

5. Privacy Settings:

  • Changing Privacy of Project:

    • You can change the visibility of your project at any time by going to the project’s Settings > General > Visibility, project features, permissions.
    • Visibility options:
    • Private: Only members can see and contribute.
    • Internal: Any signed-in user can view but not contribute.
    • Public: Anyone can see and contribute.

  • What if you can't change the privacy settings?

    • This could be due to your role within the project (you may need owner permissions) or limitations set by the admin.

6. Basic Git Commands (Overview):

  • Clone a Repository: 
git clone
  • Check the Status of Your Repository: 
git status
  • Stage Changes: 
git add
  • Or add all changes: 
git add .
  • Commit Changes: 
git commit -m "Your commit message"
  • Push Changes to GitLab: 
git push origin
  • Check Git Log (Commit History): 
git log
  • Switch Branches: 
git checkout

7. History of Git and GitLab:

  • Who invented Git?
    • Git was created by Linus Torvalds in 2005 to support the development of the Linux kernel.- Who invented GitLab?
    • GitLab was created by Dmitriy Zaporozhets and **Valery Sizov in 2011 as an open-source alternative to GitHub.

happy learning....