Installing GIT

Installing Git is a straightforward process that varies slightly depending on your operating system. In this article, we will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to install Git on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Let’s dive right in and get Git up and running on your machine!

Installing Git on Windows

Step 1: Download Git for Windows

The first step is to download the Git installer for Windows.

Go to the official Git website: git-scm.com.
Click on the Download button, and the site should automatically detect that you are using Windows and provide you with the correct version for your operating system.

Step 2: Run the Installer

Once the download is complete, locate the .exe file (usually in your Downloads folder) and double-click it to run the installer.
Allow the installer to make changes to your device by clicking Yes in the User Account Control prompt.

Step 3: Follow the Setup Wizard

The setup wizard will greet you. Click Next.
You’ll be prompted to review the license agreement. Read through it and click Next to accept it.
Choose the installation location (the default is usually fine) and click Next.
The next window will ask you if you want to select components. It’s recommended to keep the default options checked, which include:
- Git Bash Here
- Git GUI Here
- Icons for desktop and context menus
Click Next.

Step 4: Adjust PATH Environment

A crucial step is setting up the PATH environment. Select “Git from the command line and also from 3rd-party software” to ensure that Git is added to your system PATH and is accessible from the command line.
Click Next.

Step 5: Configure Line Ending Conversions

You’ll be prompted to choose how Git handles line endings. Choose “Checkout Windows-style, commit Unix-style line endings” for better compatibility if you're working with others.
Click Next.

Step 6: Choose the Terminal Emulator

For the terminal emulator, it’s recommended to use “Use MinTTY (the default terminal of MSYS2)” for a better experience.
Click Next.

Step 7: Select Extra Options

You’ll see several options for extra features. You can leave the defaults checked, which include:
- Enable Git Credential Manager
- Enable symbolic links
- Use the OpenSSL library
Click Next.

Step 8: Finish Installation

After completing the setup, click Install to start the installation process.
Wait for the installation to finish, then click Finish.
To confirm Git was installed successfully, open the Command Prompt (or Git Bash) and type:
```
git --version
```
You should see the installed version of Git.

Installing Git on macOS

Step 1: Using Homebrew

If you have Homebrew installed (a popular package manager for macOS), installing Git is quite simple.

Open the Terminal application.
Run the following command:
```
brew install git
```

Step 2: Verifying Installation

Once the installation completes, verify the installed Git version by running:
```
git --version
```

Step 3: Direct Download (Optional)

If you prefer to install via direct download:

Visit git-scm.com and download the latest version for macOS.
Open the .dmg file and follow the instructions provided on the screen to complete the installation.

Step 4: Confirm Installation

Once installed, confirm by typing in the Terminal:

git --version

Installing Git on Linux

Installing Git on Linux can vary depending on the distribution. Below are the instructions for some of the most commonly used distributions.

For Ubuntu/Debian

Open a terminal window.
Update your package index:
```
sudo apt update
```
Install Git with:
```
sudo apt install git
```

For Fedora

Open a terminal.
Run the following command:
```
sudo dnf install git
```

For CentOS

Open a terminal.
Enable the EPEL repository:
```
sudo yum install epel-release
```
Then, install Git by running:
```
sudo yum install git
```

For Arch Linux

Open the terminal.
Use the following command to install Git:
```
sudo pacman -S git
```

Step 1: Verifying Installation

Once the installation is complete, verify that Git is installed correctly by running:

git --version

Post-Installation Setup

Now that Git is installed on your operating system, you may want to configure it before starting to use it. Here are some basic configurations:

Step 1: Configuring User Information

Run the following commands in your terminal (or Git Bash) to set up your username and email address, which will be associated with your commits:

git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "your.email@example.com"

Step 2: Verifying Configuration

To verify your settings, you can type:

git config --list

This command will display all the configurations that you've set, allowing you to confirm that your name and email are correctly configured.

Step 3: Setting Up a Default Text Editor

You might want to set your default text editor for Git. For instance, to use VS Code, you can run:

git config --global core.editor "code --wait"

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Git on your operating system. Whether you’re using Windows, macOS, or Linux, you’re now ready to take full advantage of version control in your development projects. Don't forget to explore more about how Git works to make the most out of this powerful tool. Happy coding!

DevOps - GIT