Master the basics of version control as you learn how to use Git

Version control allows you to manage and track changes in software projects, improving collaboration, preventing code conflicts, and maintaining a history of your work.

On this three-week introductory course, you’ll learn the basics of version control and how to use Git, one of the most popular version control systems used by developers worldwide. You’ll create repositories, track code changes, and ensure your code is organised and up to date.

By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of version control fundamentals and be ready to take your coding skills to the next level.

Learn how to use GitHub markdown and Git commands

To help you create professional-looking documentation for your software projects, you’ll learn how to use GitHub’s markdown language.

Markdown is designed to be easy to read and write, even for non-experts. You don’t need any special software or knowledge to use it, and it’s widely supported by many popular platforms and apps.

Understand GitHub Projects

You’ll learn about GitHub Projects and Issue Tracker, and discover how they can help you manage and track issues and tasks within your project.

Together, GitHub Projects and Issue Tracker provide a powerful suite of tools for managing your software development projects. With them, you can stay organised, collaborate effectively with your team, and track your progress as you work towards your goals.

Improve your digital skills with the University of Leeds

Throughout the course, you’ll be guided by specialists from the School of Computing at the University of Leeds.

With their expertise, you’ll finish the course with improved collaboration and digital skills and an understanding of working with version control.

Syllabus

Week 1
Introduction to version control
- Course Introduction
  Explore version control concepts like version history, branching, and merging. Develop practical Git skills: create repositories, commit files, and push commits. Enhance your software development workflow and collaboration.
- What is version control?
  Learn what version control is and why developers use it. Understand how to work safely on large, multi-person projects. Explain version control, see its benefits, and secure your code with passwords and SSH keys.
- Basics of Git
  Start using Git and GitHub by creating a repository and adding files. Learn to collaborate through branching and merging, and contribute to public repositories. Master Git commands and explore GitHub's collaborative opportunities.
Week 2
Documenting with Markdown
- GitHub Markdown
  Explore Git tasks and open-source projects on GitHub. Learn to write your own documentation using Markdown. Use basic Markdown tags to format text and create a Markdown document combining multiple tags.
Week 3
Using GitHub Projects and Issue Tracker
- Project, collaboratoin and beyond
  Learn GitHub Projects and Issue Tracker for effective project management. Master Project boards, add cards, and streamline workflow.
- Course summary and test
  Reflect on version control, its role in various sectors, and its future influence on your career. As a next step, take the end of course test.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Explore the concepts and principles of version control, including version history, branching and merging.
Develop practical Git skills including creating repositories, committing files and pushing commits.
Apply version control best practices in a professional setting to improve software development workflow and collaborate effectively.
Apply Markdown language to add create professional looking documents.
Explore GitHub Projects and Issue Tracker to create and tag cards.
Explain how project management tools can improve workflow.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for individuals looking to build foundational skills in version control. It’s perfect for beginners who are new to version control and want to understand the basics, as well as those who want to enhance their digital skills for personal or professional development. Click Start, dedicated to bridging the digital divide for underrepresented groups, provides free access to twenty nine University of Leeds courses. Participants enjoy unrestricted access to course materials, graded assignments, and certificates—all at no cost. This initiative equips you with practical version control skills and prepares you to excel in diverse professional environments.

Who will you learn with?

Sam Wilson

I am currently an Associate professor in the School of Computer Science, University of Leeds. Graduating with a PhD in theoretical computer science I am focused on computer science pedagogies.

Who developed the course?

University of Leeds

As one of the UK’s largest research-based universities, the University of Leeds is a member of the prestigious Russell Group and a centre of excellence for teaching.

Click Start

This course is part of Click Start, a nationwide training programme developed by the Institute of Coding (IoC) , a national collaboration of universities, employers and charities and funded by Nominet – the public benefit company and guardians of the .UK namespace.

Endorsers and supporters

supported by

funded by

What's included?

University of Leeds are offering everyone who joins this course a free digital upgrade, so that you can experience the full benefits of studying online for free. This means that you get:

Unlimited access to this course

Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes

Tests to validate your learning

A PDF Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you’re eligible

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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