What Is GitHub and Why Should You Use It?

As a cloud-based platform, GitHub is useful for software developers and others interested in coding to develop code and share open-source projects with each other. With GitHub, you can easily track changes and navigate revisions. That explains its popularity with so many users. Learn how to use GitHub, its benefits, and where you might encounter it professionally, as well as how to use it personally.

Read more: Information Technology (IT) Terms: A to Z Glossary

What is GitHub used for?

GitHub allows you to create, store, change, merge, and collaborate on files or code. Any member of a team can access the GitHub repository (think of this as a folder for files) and see the most recent version in real-time. Then, they can make edits or changes that the other collaborators also see. GitHub also lets users make requests of one another and internally discuss the iterations along the way. It’s even called “a social coding platform” because it invites people to coordinate, share, and collaborate code across distributed and asynchronous environments [1].  

What’s the difference between Git and GitHub?

Git is the version control system GitHub uses. Git is open source and free to use for small and large projects. It is the system that keeps track of every change you make in GitHub. GitHub, meanwhile, is where people can share and collaborate on the files they have created. GitHub lets you use Git without having to first learn the command codes.

Who uses GitHub?

Developers use GitHub to work together on a single project with the benefit of version control. This helps them reduce duplicating work. Plus, GitHub allows developers to try new things. If the changes aren’t positive, they can easily revert back to the previous version.

You’ll also find others using GitHub, such as:

• Scientific researchers

• Website content creators

• Computer programmers

• Software engineers

• Students

Does GitHub teach you to code for free?

GitHub offers a free tier that gives you to access unlimited public and private repositories that you can use as resources when you're learning to code. In GitHub Codespaces, you can practice using concepts you learn in coding tutorials and courses. Note that GitHub also provides paid plans that include advanced tools and insights in private repositories. 

Why is version control important?

Version control is important as it makes collaboration more transparent and reproducible. By visibly tracking iterative changes, you and your collaborators can experiment with new approaches knowing that you can revert to the original as needed. 

Version control, also known as source or revision control, supports code management throughout development. The team can code concurrently to address problem areas with the safety of knowing there will also be a single source of truth tracking the experimentation. The developers can resolve conflicting code with easy visibility into the different iterations. Plus, no one can do permanent damage to a product in development because teams can always look back at the previous versions of the code to see what changed and reverse it if necessary.

What makes GitHub so popular?

GitHub claims that over four million organizations and more than 100 million developers use the platform [2]. Learn about the characteristics that contribute to its popularity.

Easy to use

With a free account, GitHub lets you access over 180 million public repositories of code [3]. Even non-programmers can benefit from having unlimited collaborators with version control supported throughout. It’s simple to start, and once your files are in GitHub, it’s easy to share the repository with others. 

You can also take advantage of other people’s available, open-source code to expedite your own project or come up with fresh approaches. Additionally, GitHub can support quality control by letting users automate some of the more mundane tasks, such as unit testing. 

Robust documentation and support

GitHub’s popularity means it’s easy to find support documentation to help you learn what you need or answer any questions. You’ll also find GitHub can be useful even if you have more advanced skills. 

Encourages collaboration

GitHub encourages collaboration by allowing you to track changes with the benefit of version control. You’ll always have access to your complete history. You can also work with unlimited collaborators on big and small projects and leave messages telling contributors what you did and why. 

Alternatives to GitHub

GitHub may be the largest code host available, but it isn’t the only option. You might also try:

• GitLab: This repository is like GitHub but focuses more on DevOps and continuous integration.  It only allows its team of web developers to collaborate on code.

• SourceForge: This web service welcomes GitHub migrants by letting you transfer your repositories to its open-source code hosting platform.

• Google Cloud Source Repositories: This is an option for private repositories that limits the number of users on the free tier (only available to current customers as of June 2024).

Read more: GitLab vs. GitHub: Which to Choose?

How to use GitHub as a portfolio 

Using GitHub for your e-portfolio demonstrates a technological savvy, which can help you stand out in this digital world. Follow these steps to use GitHub for your portfolio:

1. Sign up for a free GitHub account.

2. Create your content first in a separate platform (e.g., Google Docs or Word) to ensure you have a master copy.

3. Add your work to a GitHub project board by creating a new repository. Keep in mind that GitHub repositories are publicly visible by default. You may want to set it to private if it’s a work in progress.

4. Share with others and ask for input.

5. Edit and revise in the collaborative interface.

6. Publish your work to a GitHub page open to the public.

7. Share your final portfolio with your network of potential employers. You could also put it on your resume and LinkedIn profile.

Learn more about GitHub on Coursera 

GitHub facilitates collaboration and version control, making it popular among developers, researchers, and content creators for managing code, projects, and documentation. The platform claims Shopify, Mercedes-Benz, Philips, Spotify, and Buzzfeed among its customers. Knowing how to use GitHub can help aspiring developers expand their career opportunities. Learn Git and GitHub and other in-demand skills in Google's Introduction to Git and GitHub, or pursue the Google IT Automation With Python Professional Certificate on Coursera.