Welcome to "Working with Version Control"

Are you an aspiring programmer who wants to learn how to better manage your coding projects? If so, one of the most important tools you will need to learn is version control.

In this course, you will learn all about version control – what it is, how it works and why it’s so essential for programming. You’ll discover how version control can help you keep track of changes you make to your code, allow multiple people to work on the same project at the same time, and keep your code organised and efficient. With hands-on exercises and real-world examples, you’ll gain the skills and knowledge you need to start using version control like a pro.

By the end of this course, you’ll be equipped with the tools and techniques to confidently manage your coding projects, collaborate with others and take your programming skills to the next level.

How the course will work

• The course is divided into three weeks.
• Each week there will be activities, with a range of different tasks for you to complete at your own pace.
• The course is not facilitated, but is designed to support peer learning through online discussions.
• There will be a range of quizzes, reading sections, videos, and chances for you to discuss questions with other learners; this can be a great way of getting different viewpoints and ideas, so do use these chances to network with your peers and share your ideas!
• Finally, you will take the assignment at the end to earn your certificate. You can take this assignment as many times as you like to get your Certificate of Achievement. The pass mark is 70%.

This course is part of the Click Start collection of short courses provided by the University of Leeds. Click Start is a nationwide training programme developed by the Institute of Coding (IoC), supported by a consortium of industry leaders, educators, and outreach providers, and funded by Nominet. Click Start aims to diversify the tech industry and address the UK’s digital skills gap.

Learning outcomes

• 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.

Extra resources

As you complete the course you may come across terms and references that require further explanation. To help with this, there is a Glossary (PDF) that you can view and refer to at any point in the course.