Continuing on the Web Development Journey: Beginning the Git Course

The Git logo

I’m now about one-third of the way through the third Learn Enough course, which is on how to use Git. Git is a free and open-source command-line system that enables you to keep track of changes that are made in computer files, and it’s especially used by programmers working together to coordinate

their efforts in software development. We’re also learning how to work with GitHub, which is a remote platform where we can manage and store our code using Git.

The GitHub InvertoCat logo

Minor Challenges

So far it’s going okay, though I did run into a few snags. The first one happened early, after I had just learned how to create a local repository and how to do a commit (which is like saving a changed version of a file with a unique identification number and the ability to add a brief comment about the change). The next day I logged in to Amazon Web Service's Cloud9 and to Learn Enough and tried to do another commit as part of an assignment, but I got this message on the screen: “Fatal: not a git repository”. Oh, no -- fatal? Not a git repository? What’s going on? After checking my work, re-trying a few times and getting the same exact message, I searched for help online. I found out that after logging in, I need to cd to the right directory. That makes perfect sense -- oof.

Also, whenever it’s time to push (upload) a file, GitHub requires you to enter a Personal Access Token, which is like another password for security. When I tried to copy-and-paste this 40-character password at the prompt, the system wouldn’t allow it! Grrrrrrrrr! I tried using keyboard shortcuts (^C, ^V, even 'shift + insert`) instead of the mouse, but that didn’t make a difference. I manually typed in this password once or twice to get through the lesson but there’s no way I’m gonna do that every time I need to send an updated file. I searched online for solutions but couldn’t find anything that was easy enough for me to figure out.

Finally I looked more closely at the error message. It said something about the browser not allowing things from the clipboard. How strange! I've done plenty of cutting-and-pasting before with Mozilla Firefox without any problems. In fact, I did it to input my blog posts to this Wix website. I did some more searching online to no avail. Then I decided to switch web browsers, from Firefox to Microsoft Edge, and finally I was able to copy-and-paste the Personal Access Token. Phew! Looks like I won’t be able to use my favorite browser Firefox for any work with GitHub.

The last bit of trouble happened yesterday, when I was practicing a commit/push sequence for an edited file. I followed each step but every time when I checked with `git log` or at GitHub, there was no record of any new commit! I repeated it a few times, with some minor variations, but nothing worked. Finally I had a thought – maybe I hadn’t saved the edited file before doing the commit. Voilà! That was it. I had become so accustomed to auto-save in Microsoft Word that I forgot to save the file first.

Stress Management

Don't let stress get you down.

As you can see in this post as well as in my first and second posts, learning about web development can be a struggle. And we didn't even starting coding yet! It’s important to persevere though. One thing that has helped me to manage stress over the years is to exercise 3-5 times a week. Exercising or playing sports outdoors is the most effective to boost your mood. If we’re going to be sitting in front of a screen for several hours a day, it’s vital to take a break for physical activity to maintain our health. You can do whatever you enjoy. I go for a run or a run-walk and also do core-strengthening exercises. I probably should do some general strength training, too, but I haven’t had the time to be consistent with it.

If you don’t know where to start, take a look at Darebee, which provides free exercise resources. Darebee is a non-profit website with all kinds of programs, most requiring no equipment, for people of various levels of fitness. They also have little video clips to demonstrate many of the exercises. In addition, if you register, you can participate in the forums, where participants ask and answer questions and encourage one another in their efforts. On the home page, you can scroll down to the “Get Started” section for an introduction to their site.

Looking Ahead

One neat thing about this Git course is that we’re starting to learn a little about HTML (HyperText Markup Language), too. I’m excited about the coming lessons, and hope your journey is proceeding well. Leave me a message and let me know how things are going with you!