If you write code, you need Git! In the fast-paced world of software development, Git has become an indispensable tool for programmers and developers of all skill levels. As a distributed version control system, Git makes it easy to track changes to source code over time, coordinate work across teams, and revert back to previous versions if needed.
But with its vast array of commands and capabilities, Git can seem daunting to learn for the uninitiated. The good news is there are now more high-quality, free resources than ever to help you go from Git novice to master.
In this article, I share my top recommendations on where beginners and veterans alike can level up their Git skills for free. Whether you prefer interactive courses, visual references, books, or hands-on practice, there’s something here for everyone. Read on to boost your version control chops!
1. The Git Tower Ebook
Key Features: Visual guides, cheat sheets, video courses, webinars
Best For: Beginners looking for a friendly introduction to Git concepts
Git Tower has long been one of the most popular Git GUI clients available. Their free online ebook leverages their expertise in creating visual guides to Git fundamentals. With colorful diagrams and straightforward explanations, the book makes it easy for complete beginners to understand core terminology and workflow. Those looking to advance past command line usage will appreciate their video tutorials on integrating Git Tower into their development environment. Their Git cheat sheets help commit commonly used commands to memory. This resource truly caters to visual learners.
2. Atlassian Git Tutorials
Key Features: Step-by-step tutorials, glossary of terms/commands, guidance on migrating from other VCSs like SVN
Best For: Developers needing to level up their Git skills from basic to advanced
With one of the most popular Git collaboration platforms in Bitbucket under their belt, the Atlassian Git tutorials offer hard-won insights into mastering Git in the real world. Their tutorials progress from Git fundamentals like installing, understanding core architecture and basic workflows to more advanced techniques around rebasing, squash commits and hooks. Experienced developers looking to tighten up their Git game will appreciate the Hardcore Git section covering more complex use cases. The canonical glossary of Git jargon and commands serves as the perfect quick reference guide.
3. Udacity Git Course
Key Features: Interactive coding tutorials with Git integration
Best For: Hands-on practice using Git workflow for an existing project
For those who prefer to learn by doing, Udacity’s free Git course offers the perfect hands-on introduction. As you work through building a simple web application project, you’ll learn fundamental Git commands like staging commits, pushing and pulling code, branching and merging. Automated code reviews give you feedback to help hone your Git skills. While the course uses their cloud IDE workspace instead of a local dev environment, the concepts translate well. By the end, you’ll have built muscle memory around core Git interactions.
4. Learn Git Branching
Key Features: Interactive tutorials w/ sandbox environment, visualization of commands
Best For: Reinforcing & experimenting with Git branching techniques
For many developers, Git branching can feel like a black box of confusion at first. Learn Git Branching aims to lift the veil of mystery through hands-on interactive visualizations of exactly how branches and commits work under the hood. Their "levels" walk you through common workflows, letting you visualize the effects of commands like commit, merge, rebase and more via graphical timelines. An embedded sandbox environment lets you experiment without fear of breaking anything. The visual feedback helps cement understanding of more complex Git operations.
5. Pro Git Book
Key Features: In-depth book from Git creators, available in multiple languages
Best For: Comprehensive reference guide to Git’s architecture and advanced features
Hailed as the definitive guide to Git, the entire Pro Git book by Git creators Scott Chacon and Ben Straub is available for free online. For those looking to truly master Git at an architectural level, this book delves deep into both foundations and advanced usage. Much more than a command reference, "Pro Git" helps explain the "why" behind Git‘s design and operation. Experienced developers will appreciate chapters covering branching workflows, Git hooks, customizing Git and commands for maintainers overseeing large projects. If you want to elevate your fundamental Git skills to an expert level, this book is invaluable.
6. GitKraken Tutorials & Guides
Key Features: Visual tutorials, tips & best practices, troubleshooting common issues
Best For: Transitioning from command line to efficient GUI-based workflow
As one of the most full-featured Git GUI clients available, GitKraken‘s learning hub offers both textual and video tutorials to help visualize Git workflows. Their basic guides cover essential Git fundamentals through a graphical lens using GitKraken‘s robust interface. Intermediate users can benefit from their best practices advice for real-world Git use cases. The tutorials also address common trouble spots like resolving merge conflicts, stashing changes and rebasing vs merging. Those looking for a friendlier GUI alternative to pure command line interaction will find these tutorials quite helpful.
7. First Aid Git
Key Features: Searchable solutions to common Git problems
Best For: Quick answers to frequent Git questions and issues
As most developers know, we tend to use only a fraction of Git functionality on a regular basis. When thorny issues emerge around branching/merging, rebasing conflicts or forgotten commands, First Aid Git delivers the Git lifeline you need. Their easily searchable site indexes solutions to the most common Git headaches developers face, serving as the perfect rescue resource. Clear explanations and recommended commands give you exactly the information needed to get unstuck and on with your work. Bookmark this indispensable site for those times when Git perplexes even seasoned users.
8. Eduonix Git Course
Key Features: Covers both fundamental and advanced Git techniques
Best For: Comprehensive A-Z introduction for beginners
For those looking for a well-structured introduction covering all aspects of practical Git usage, Eduonix’s Git for Beginners course delivers an excellent foundation. Through concise video tutorials, you’ll start with Git basics like repositories, commits and pushing/pulling before graduating to more advanced commands. Realistic projects help reinforce fundamental workflows. By the course‘s completion, newer developers will have a firm grasp of Git branching, merging, rebasing, tags and other critical concepts needed for contribution to team repositories.
9. Git Immersion
Key Features: Hands-on walkthrough of core Git tasks
Best For: No-fluff learn-by-doing Git fundamentals
For those who want to skip the verbose explanations and dive right into completing core Git tasks, Git Immersion delivers. Their guided "lab" structure presents just enough background to understand key concepts, then instructions to accomplish practical goals solely via the command line. You’ll start by initializing a repository, then move swiftly into adding commits across branches, pushing and pulling updates, integrating remote changes and more. The slimmed-down presentations let you rapidly gain hands-on experience with the most essential Git operations needed for real project work.
10. A Visual Git Reference
Key Features: Reference guide explaining Git workflows through diagrams
Best For: High-level overview of Git functionality via visuals
Sometimes a few simple visuals can clarify Git processes better than walls of text. A Visual Git Reference by Mark Lodato employs straightforward diagrams to demonstrate under-the-hood Git mechanics as you manage workflow. Color-coded nodes mapped to commits help visualize creation, movement and merging of branches based on commands issued. An interactive simulation lets you walk commits across branches to reinforce concepts. For big picture thinkers, these visual maps help provide an "aerial view" of how Git coordinates changes across a project.
I hope these resources offer a great starting point for rapidly ramping up your Git skills as a developer or programmer at any level. Whether trying to finally make the leap from SVN, desiring a friendlier GUI-based Git workflow or simply needing to level up your commit game, this collection has something to meet your learning needs.
Remember that Git mastery ultimately requires regular hands-on practice and application to become second nature. But armed with these outstanding free learning tools, you’ll be ready to Git going (bad pun intended) and take your version control skills to the next level.
Now grab one of these resources that looks most helpful for your experience level and start pushing your Git abilities today!
