What is Git, and why is it important to learn about?

Git is an open-source version control system (VCS) that allows software developers to track changes to code over time, including changes made by multiple users. This capability is important because coding typically requires a lot of trial and error as well as collaboration, and Git simplifies the process of merging changes from different developers, creating branching versions, comparing different versions of a program, and reverting changes when necessary. Git is by far the most popular VCS today, making familiarity with this program an essential skill for careers in software development. Professional developers and software engineers often use GitHub, which is a cloud-based Git repository that helps teams collaborate remotely. Unlike Git, GitHub is not a free, open-source program, but it is so valuable to facilitating distributed software development that Microsoft purchased it for $7.5 billion in 2018.

What kinds of careers can I have with a background in Git?

Because Git is such a widely-used developer tool, a background in its use is assumed knowledge for many programming and IT jobs. Moreover, since development at major tech and software companies is increasingly conducted in parallel by multiple programmers - especially with teams working remotely full-time during the current pandemic - a familiarity with GitHub is also expected for professionals in this field. Indeed, for aspiring developers and software engineers, a GitHub portfolio is an essential part of your resume. Along with mastery of programming skills like Python, skills in working with Git and GitHub can thus be a big part of your gateway to a high-paying job as a software developer. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , software developers earned a median annual salary of $107,510 in 2019. Moreover, with jobs in this field projected to grow 22% from 2019 and 2029, this is one of the fastest growing careers today.

Can I learn about Git by taking online courses on Coursera?

Yes, absolutely. Coursera offers a tremendous variety of courses and Specializations for computer science students and mid-career professionals of all levels, and learning online is a great way to hone your skills in Git as well as GitHub. You can learn and even get professional certifications from leading companies like Atlassian and Google, or even the non-profit Linux Foundation. You can also learn about Git and GitHub by completing step-by-step tutorials alongside experienced instructors as part of Coursera’s Project Network.

How do I know if learning Git is right for me?

Learning Git is well suited for developers looking to advance their programming skills and knowledge. It may be right for you if you want to understand the code that's behind a lot of the tools you likely use, learn more about C, which Git is written in, work with a codebase that's functional and minimalist, or work with code that doesn't take a long time to learn, then learning Git is probably a good fit for you.

What skills or experience do I need to already have, before starting to learn Git?

Before starting to learn Git, you should have experience using C and have an understanding of its basic programming concepts. In particular, it'll be helpful for you to understand C header files, C function prototypes, C macros, C struts, and C pointers. As an alternative, having a familiarity with Python or Java may help you have a foundation that will make it easier to learn Git.

What topics can I study that are related to Git?

You can certainly study C, C#, C++, or similar managed or unmanaged languages if you want to learn more about topics related to Git. Bash/UNIX shell scripting is also related to Git, as is GitHub, of course, the internet hosting provider for software and version control that use Git. Additional topics related to Git that you can study include version control, open-source software development, webpage creation, and project management.

What kind of people are best suited for roles in Git?

The kind of people well suited for roles in Git are excited about programming and coding. They have strong communication skills, both written and verbal, including with remote teams. People that are successful in roles in Git are independent thinkers who are curious, and they may need the ability to understand and empathize with customers, depending on their role.

What are the benefits of taking an online Git course?

Online Git courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Git skills. Choose from a wide range of Git courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Git courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Git, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Git Courses - Learn Git Online

Explore the Git Course Catalog

Status: Free
Coursera Instructor Network
GitLab AI: Mastering AI Pair Programming with GitLab Duo
Skills you'll gain: GitLab, Continuous Integration, Software Development Tools, Git (Version Control System), Code Review, Development Environment, Debugging, Software Development, Artificial Intelligence
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Meta
Android App Capstone
Skills you'll gain: Git (Version Control System), Android Jetpack, Version Control, Android Development, Android Studio, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Mobile Development, User Interface (UI), UI/UX Strategy, Kotlin, User Flows
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
37 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Packt
DevOps Project - 2022: CI/CD with Jenkins Ansible Kubernetes
Skills you'll gain: CI/CD, Jenkins, Ansible, Docker (Software), Continuous Integration, DevOps, Kubernetes, Containerization, Apache Tomcat, Continuous Deployment, Apache Maven, Amazon Web Services, Application Deployment, Git (Version Control System), GitHub
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Meta
Ingeniero en base de datos de Meta
Skills you'll gain: MySQL, Relational Databases, Data Modeling, SQL, Database Design, Version Control, Data Warehousing, Database Management Systems, Database Theory, Unix Commands, Extract, Transform, Load, Databases, MySQL Workbench, Git (Version Control System), Django (Web Framework), Algorithms, Test Driven Development (TDD), Unit Testing, Pseudocode, Database Management
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
270 reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Packt
Craft an AutoGPT Gen AI Instrument with Rust & GPT-4
Skills you'll gain: Rust (Programming Language), Command-Line Interface, Back-End Web Development, ChatGPT, Web Servers, OpenAI, Databases, Application Servers, Authentications, Development Environment, Generative AI, Web Development, Key Management, Application Programming Interface (API), User Accounts, Secure Coding, Automation, Software Development Tools, Artificial Intelligence, Program Development
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Microsoft
Foundations of Coding Full-Stack
Skills you'll gain: Programming Principles, Full-Stack Web Development, GitHub, Version Control, Debugging, Computational Thinking, Pseudocode, Git (Version Control System), Computer Programming, Algorithms, Web Development, C# (Programming Language), Back-End Web Development, Front-End Web Development
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
43 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Johns Hopkins University
Building R Packages
Skills you'll gain: Open Source Technology, Package and Software Management, GitHub, Version Control, Rmarkdown, Cross Platform Development, Software Documentation, Maintainability, Testability, R Programming, Knitr, Continuous Integration, Git (Version Control System), Development Testing, Technical Documentation
4.1
Rating, 4.1 out of 5 stars
223 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Packt
Vim Masterclass
Skills you'll gain: Command-Line Interface, Integrated Development Environments, Graphical Tools, Software Development Tools, Computer Programming Tools, File Management, Development Environment, Configuration Management
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of California San Diego
Internet of Things V2: DragonBoard™ bring up and community ecosystem
Skills you'll gain: Integrated Development Environments, GitHub, Git (Version Control System), Internet Of Things, Development Environment, Embedded Software, Software Development Tools, Embedded Systems, Prototyping, Linux, Operating Systems, Peripheral Devices, Command-Line Interface, Computer Hardware, Hardware Architecture, System Configuration
3.8
Rating, 3.8 out of 5 stars
35 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Clean and analyze social media usage data with Python
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization, Matplotlib, Web Scraping, Social Media Marketing, Python Programming, Social Media, Pandas (Python Package), Text Mining, Trend Analysis, Data Analysis, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Cleansing, Data Manipulation, Jupyter
4.1
Rating, 4.1 out of 5 stars
32 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Packt
Getting Started with Scrum
Skills you'll gain: Sprint Planning, Azure DevOps, Sprint Retrospectives, Agile Software Development, Agile Methodology, Agile Project Management, Backlogs, Project Coordination, Team Building, Continuous Improvement Process, Agile Product Development, Team Management, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Prioritization
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Amazon
Data Structures and Algorithms
Skills you'll gain: JUnit, Test Driven Development (TDD), Version Control, Git (Version Control System), GitHub, Performance Tuning, Unit Testing, Data Structures, Algorithms, Software Testing, Java, Computer Programming, Debugging
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
14 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks