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Ry's Git Tutorial
Git is a free version control system known for its speed, reliability, and non-linear development model. Its popularity among open-source developers makes Git a necessary tool for professional programmers, but it can also do wonders for your personal coding workflow. You’ll be able to experiment with new ideas, radically refactor existing code, and efficiently share changes with other developers—all without the slightest worry towards breaking your project.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire Git library, writing code and executing commands every step of the way. You'll create commits, revert snapshots, navigate branches, communicate with remote repositories, and experience core Git concepts first-hand.
Designed for newcomers to distributed development, Ry's Git Tutorial presents this complex subject in simple terms that anyone can understand. Beginner and veteran programmers alike will find this book to be a fun, fast, and friendly introduction to Git-based revision control.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire Git library, writing code and executing commands every step of the way. You'll create commits, revert snapshots, navigate branches, communicate with remote repositories, and experience core Git concepts first-hand.
Designed for newcomers to distributed development, Ry's Git Tutorial presents this complex subject in simple terms that anyone can understand. Beginner and veteran programmers alike will find this book to be a fun, fast, and friendly introduction to Git-based revision control.
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
May 12, 2022
Super quick and minimal introduction to git workflows that provides just enough detail to motivate and justify things while still getting you off the ground quickly.
I recently went from FB (which uses mercurial + Phabricator + other internal tooling) to another company (which uses standard git + GitHub) and I found this pretty helpful in the transition.
After having read this book I realize that git isn't as complex as I initially thought (at least for basic workflows). However, I've already had to spend more time thinking about source control in the past two weeks than I did in 3.5 years at FB, which suggests to me that the abstractions provided by git + GitHub don't actually parallel how I reason about code changes as a developer nearly as well as hg + Phabricator do. Some of this comes from having already been indoctrinated into a particular way of reasoning about this problems, although I don't think that's sufficient to explain the discrepancy. But at this point that's outside the scope of this review...
I recently went from FB (which uses mercurial + Phabricator + other internal tooling) to another company (which uses standard git + GitHub) and I found this pretty helpful in the transition.
After having read this book I realize that git isn't as complex as I initially thought (at least for basic workflows). However, I've already had to spend more time thinking about source control in the past two weeks than I did in 3.5 years at FB, which suggests to me that the abstractions provided by git + GitHub don't actually parallel how I reason about code changes as a developer nearly as well as hg + Phabricator do. Some of this comes from having already been indoctrinated into a particular way of reasoning about this problems, although I don't think that's sufficient to explain the discrepancy. But at this point that's outside the scope of this review...
July 2, 2017
Compact and clear
I'm an intermediate skill git user and found that this book was great for me. I knew most of the concepts in most of the chapters but the writing was compact and clear enough that I read those chapters anyway and I found that it plugged gaps I had in my understanding of how git works.
I'm an intermediate skill git user and found that this book was great for me. I knew most of the concepts in most of the chapters but the writing was compact and clear enough that I read those chapters anyway and I found that it plugged gaps I had in my understanding of how git works.
December 12, 2019
Very nice introduction to Git. Very beginner friendly!
Now, as someone who had already used Git for version control, I was able to grasp some concepts and commands much faster rather than someone who has never heard of, let alone have used, version control before. This book though, I believe would prove an excellent starting point due to its descriptive nature and graphical assistance.
Now, as someone who had already used Git for version control, I was able to grasp some concepts and commands much faster rather than someone who has never heard of, let alone have used, version control before. This book though, I believe would prove an excellent starting point due to its descriptive nature and graphical assistance.
February 12, 2017
Really nice tutorial
His book gives a very nice overview of typical use of git and some hints at more complex features. All command line based so can be used by anyone.
His book gives a very nice overview of typical use of git and some hints at more complex features. All command line based so can be used by anyone.
February 3, 2023
Simultaneously comprehensive and comprehensible, a rare quality in technical books. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a better understanding of Git, both novice and professional.
November 20, 2021
Razlog, da sem se te stvarne literature sploh lotila, je bila potreba po dobrem priporočilu za sodelavko, ki se še uvaja. Ko sem se jaz pred šestimi leti poznavala z Gitom, nama je bil s sotrpinom namreč na slepo uvaljen nek tečaj, ki ga nihče ni prej preveril, in… Sistemcem se je utrgalo. Z Gitom, kot vsakim drugim orodjem, se da marsikaj zašuštrati, sploh še proces kje ne štima (za malo bolj vešče- direktni push v produkcijo).
Ry’s Git Tutorial je lušten uvod v Git (primeren tudi za osvežitev znanja!), saj v enostavnem jeziku in z veliko primeri razloži glavne koncepte.
Ry’s Git Tutorial je lušten uvod v Git (primeren tudi za osvežitev znanja!), saj v enostavnem jeziku in z veliko primeri razloži glavne koncepte.
September 11, 2018
A small book, explaining the basic concepts of Git VCS. Although I've been using Git for nearly two years, and consider myself a person, who's not afraid to get its hands dirty, it was a really useful read for me. I would recommend it to anyone, who's into programming, and wants to do any kind of software development. Read it early, so you won't have to learn this lessons the hard way.
January 22, 2025
I would have rated this a 4 if not for the last chapter, which fell short of my expectations. While the tutorial is generally well-written, most of the content is fairly generic and didn’t offer much new insight for an everyday Git user like myself. It’s a nice read overall, but I was hoping for more advanced or unique perspectives to make it stand out.
August 19, 2025
The book seems short but it's well beyond of an introduction to what git is. I coded 95% of the exercises and I plan to have it as a reference when coding.
I must tell you that many times the website where you can download the excercise files is down but you can find this data by searching the filename and the books name in Google.
I must tell you that many times the website where you can download the excercise files is down but you can find this data by searching the filename and the books name in Google.
September 5, 2018
Skimmed it
Didn’t read it, just skimmed it to get another perspective, particularly on workflow. This looks like it is a very good tutorial. It has good beginner info and some more intermediate info as well.
Didn’t read it, just skimmed it to get another perspective, particularly on workflow. This looks like it is a very good tutorial. It has good beginner info and some more intermediate info as well.
August 1, 2019
Very clear overview of the Git basics and its more complex underlying ideas. The text is consistent, transparent and easy to read. Would never expect that high-quality material from a free book. Can recommend to anyone as their first book on Git.
October 26, 2019
Amazing book that's such a joy to follow.
It would have been nice if the source code links were still intact, but that's okay!
This book filled all the missing links in my git knowledge
Highly recommened!
It would have been nice if the source code links were still intact, but that's okay!
This book filled all the missing links in my git knowledge
Highly recommened!
November 10, 2020
Excellent tutorial-based, detailed introduction to using Git. Fun examples, enjoyed all the lessons. High information density, but very easily readable. Will recommend when people ask "but how do I learn git?!" :)
January 28, 2021
A fantastic introduction to Git
I really liked the "try it for yourself" format of the book. Most of all, I liked how his explanations remain simple and extremely clear throughout. I don’t think any other book on VCS will be as enjoyable for me.
I really liked the "try it for yourself" format of the book. Most of all, I liked how his explanations remain simple and extremely clear throughout. I don’t think any other book on VCS will be as enjoyable for me.
February 9, 2021
Um livro de leitura rápida e direto ao ponto. Ensina desde o básico até como o git armazena os objetos internamente. Vou recomendar para todo mundo que tiver problemas com rebase e faz merges desnecessários
February 6, 2022
Excellent step-by-step tutorial
Tutorial offers excellent guidance for learning Git that you can follow from start to finish. Also, archives can be downloaded if you prefer studying a specific task. The writing style is clear and precise.
Tutorial offers excellent guidance for learning Git that you can follow from start to finish. Also, archives can be downloaded if you prefer studying a specific task. The writing style is clear and precise.
September 28, 2022
It's straightforward and comfortable for Git beginners. After reading it, you will have enough skills to deal with everyday work and be ready to tackle some somewhat difficult problems. The Last chapter `Plumbing` is absolutely the essence of the book.
August 6, 2017
I am a git learner. This book gives a very good insight for beginners to start git step by step
November 13, 2017
Very useful.
December 4, 2017
A step by step guide useful and convenient.
March 18, 2018
Great book, and starter point to know the best CVS.
April 16, 2018
Best Git book for beginner
April 27, 2018
A very nice introduction to git.
June 8, 2018
This book helps.
September 7, 2018
Explica bem sobre o git e seus conceitos. Indicado pra quem conhece um pouco ou nada. E o bom é que o e-book está de graça na Amazon. 😊
March 20, 2019
This is probably the best place to start your git education.
Very easy to follow and you will learn a lot if you do all the exercises!!
Very easy to follow and you will learn a lot if you do all the exercises!!
December 31, 2019
A solid overview; it was dense, but that was to be expected with this type of book. It gives a great introduction to the basics of Git!
April 29, 2020
A great introducton to git. It is well worth the time. I learned a lot about git. I recommend this book.
June 10, 2020
I find this book to be a good starting point to explore day to day use of git. Definitely worth spending time to read for a beginner like me.
June 21, 2020
Un manual completo que me ha salvado varias veces del desastre
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews