GitHub is a cloud-based service where developers can store and manage their programming projects. Its name comes from the Git version control system it uses.
Currently GitHub is the most popular code hosting service among open source developers and programmers. As a WordPress user, you’ll find plenty of plugins and themes hosted there.
What is Git Version Control?
Version control allows a team of developers to work on the same project at the same time. It keeps track of every change made to every file over time.
At any time the developer can commit to a batch of changes or roll back to a previous version when there is a problem. The system can also deal with conflicts when two developers edit the same file.
Git is a popular version control system that allows multiple users work on the same code base. GitHub is a hosted service that uses Git for version control.
How Does GitHub Work?
A project hosted on GitHub is called a repository. Anyone can sign up for an account on GitHub. They can add other users to their repository so they can collaborate together on a development project.
The users can create a “fork”, or a copy, of the project and work on it on their own computer. They can then request for their changes to be merged with the main project. The project owner can accept or reject those changes.
Many WordPress developers use GitHub to host their plugins and themes. It allows them to collaborate with teams, get feedback, and let others review their code.
It also means that WordPress users can download these plugins and themes from GitHub and use them on their own websites.
How to Install Plugins and Themes from GitHub
You can download and install WordPress plugins and themes from GitHub very easily. All you need to do is download a ZIP file and install the plugin manually.
We show you what to do step by step in our guide on how to install WordPress plugins and themes from GitHub.
If you like the plugin or theme that you are using from GitHub, then don’t forget to star that project on GitHub. This will let the developers know that you appreciate their effort.
What Else is GitHub Used For?
GitHub isn’t just used for code. It’s also a large social networking site for developers and programmers.
It allows users to follow each other, subscribe to updates from projects, and give them a star rating. These features allow users to receive updates for the projects they are interested in or stay in touch with coworkers and collaborators.
It can also be used for writing projects where collaboration and version control are useful. Software manuals and documentation, learning resources, and other writing projects are regularly created on GitHub.
We hope this article helped you learn more about GitHub. You may also want to see our Additional Reading list below for related articles on useful WordPress tips, tricks, and ideas.
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