Day 2: Basic Git Workflow

The Three-Stage Workflow

Git’s power comes from its three-stage workflow that gives you complete control over what gets committed:

Modified: Files changed in working directory
Staged: Files marked for next commit
Committed: Files permanently stored in Git history

Essential Commands in Action

Creating and Tracking Files:

bash

# Create a new file
echo "# My Awesome Project" > README.md
echo "print('Hello, Git!')" > main.py

# Check what Git sees
git status

# Stage files for commit
git add README.md
git add main.py
# Or stage all files at once
git add .

# Create your first commit
git commit -m "Initial commit: Add README and main script"

Understanding Git Status:

bash

# Detailed status information
git status --long

# Concise status format
git status --short

# See what's staged vs unstaged
git diff            # Shows unstaged changes
git diff --staged   # Shows staged changes

Viewing Project History

bash

# Basic commit history
git log

# Compact one-line format
git log --oneline

# Visual branch representation
git log --graph --oneline --all

# Show changes in each commit
git log -p

Undoing Changes

Before Staging:

bash

# Discard changes in working directory
git checkout -- filename.txt
# Or using newer syntax
git restore filename.txt

After Staging:

bash

# Unstage a file
git reset HEAD filename.txt
# Or using newer syntax
git restore --staged filename.txt

Hands-On Exercise: Create a small Python calculator project. Practice the add-commit cycle, view history, and experiment with undoing changes.

🛠️ Recommended Tools for Developers & Tech Pros

Save time, boost productivity, and work smarter with these AI-powered tools I personally use and recommend:

1️⃣ CopyOwl.ai – Research & Write Smarter
Write fully referenced reports, essays, or blogs in one click.
✅ 97% satisfaction • ✅ 10+ hrs saved/week • ✅ Academic citations

2️⃣ LoopCV.pro – Build a Job-Winning Resume
Create beautiful, ATS-friendly resumes in seconds — perfect for tech roles.
✅ One-click templates • ✅ PDF/DOCX export • ✅ Interview-boosting design

3️⃣ Speechify – Listen to Any Text
Turn articles, docs, or PDFs into natural-sounding audio — even while coding.
✅ 1,000+ voices • ✅ Works on all platforms • ✅ Used by 50M+ people

DevToolHub