When using Git on IBM i systems, it's important to understand the core Git concepts and how they apply to IBM i development. In this lesson, we'll cover the key Git concepts that are most relevant for IBM i developers.
Repository
A Git repository is the fundamental unit of Git. It's a directory that contains all the files and folders of a project, along with the complete history of changes made to those files. On IBM i, the Git repository can be used to manage the source code for your IBM i applications, including RPG, COBOL, CL, and other IBM i-specific languages.
Commits
In Git, a commit is a snapshot of the changes made to the files in the repository at a particular point in time. Each commit has a unique identifier (a hash value) and contains information about the author, the date, and the changes made. Commits are the building blocks of the Git history, and they allow you to track the evolution of your IBM i application over time.
Branches
Branches in Git allow you to create parallel lines of development, enabling multiple developers to work on different features or bug fixes simultaneously without interfering with the main codebase. This is particularly useful for IBM i development, where you may have multiple developers working on the same application. Branches can be used to isolate changes, experiment with new ideas, and then merge them back into the main branch when ready.
Merging
Merging is the process of integrating changes from one branch into another. This is a crucial step when collaborating on IBM i applications, as it allows developers to combine their work and resolve any conflicts that may arise. Git's merging capabilities make it easy to manage complex development workflows, such as feature branches, bug fixes, and releases.
Remote Repositories
In addition to the local Git repository on your IBM i system, you can also work with remote repositories hosted on platforms like GitHub or GitLab. Remote repositories allow you to collaborate with other developers, share your code, and synchronize changes between different systems. This is particularly useful for IBM i teams that are geographically distributed or working on shared applications.
In Summary, Understanding these core Git concepts is essential for effectively using Git on IBM i systems. By mastering these concepts, IBM i developers can leverage the power of Git to improve their version control, collaboration, and overall development workflows.