Live data from Hacker News

Git concepts simplified

gitolite.com

1–10 of 142 posts

Re: Git concepts simplified

#5
post #2

I love Git, but I'm pretty sure there's no way to explain it simply.

I have a much easier time explaining Mercurial. And I will keep using Mercurial and keep improving Mercurial until we all realise how much better it is than git because it's easier to explain, it's just as fast, and no less powerful.

Re: Git concepts simplified

#6
post #3

There seems to be ALOT of 'Git Explained' stuff. The best way to learn Git in my opinion is start using it! Google stuff as you go.

I thought I would try that, but I'm probably still not really thinking in Git. I never branch or merge for example, since I never think of doing that. I understand this isn't really normal git usage.

Re: Git concepts simplified

#8
There is an inverse relationship the number articles title "x explained simply" and the actual simplicity of x. I honestly don't understand why the developer community refuses to admit the obvious that git is unholy clusterfuck of a product. It has a nice data structure inside it? Name another end-user product for which you are even vaguely aware of what data structures were used.

Re: Git concepts simplified

#9
post #3

There seems to be ALOT of 'Git Explained' stuff. The best way to learn Git in my opinion is start using it! Google stuff as you go.

I thought I would try that, but I'm probably still not really thinking in Git. I never branch or merge for example, since I never think of doing that. I understand this isn't really normal git usage.

Me neither. But I think I should. Every time I want to try something new, take a new direction in code or add a new feature I should branch, so I can safely add or remove pieces of code. Things not related to that new feature, like bug-fixes, should be done in the main branch and then get pulled into the feature branch. I'm just too messy with my commits to do that, because it requires making frequent smaller commits, instead of huge ones once in a while.

Re: Git concepts simplified

#10
post #8

There is an inverse relationship the number articles title "x explained simply" and the actual simplicity of x. I honestly don't understand why the developer community refuses to admit the obvious that git is unholy clusterfuck of a product. It has a nice data structure inside it? Name another end-user product for which you are even vaguely aware of what data structures were used.

I think part of the problem is that git, like other version control systems, does not enforce any particular way of working (workflow).

When authors try to explain how to use git, they often have a very particular workflow in mind and don't necessarily describe exactly what that workflow is. This can cause major problems when somebody tries to apply advice to their own workflow.

I like the graphical approach. It helps to conceptualize what is going on so that someone can apply it to their own situation.

Post reply on HN