Checklist#

Make Use of Git#

  • Make your project version controlled by initialising a Git repository in its directory using git init.

  • Add and commit all your files to the repository using git add . then git commit.

  • Continue to add and commit changes as your project progresses. Stage the changes in specific files to be committed with git add filename, and add messages to your commits.

    • Each commit should make one simple change.

    • No generated files committed.

    • Commit messages are meaningful, with a ~50 character summary at the top.

    • Commit messages are in the present tense and imperative.

  • Develop new features on their own branches, which you can create via git checkout -b branch_name and switch between via git checkout branch_name.

    • Make sure branches have informative names.

    • Make sure the main branch is kept clean.

    • Make sure each branch has a single purpose and only changes related to that purpose are made on it.

  • Once features are complete, merge their branches into the main branch by switching to the feature branch and running git merge main.

    • Merge other’s changes into your work frequently.

    • When dealing with merge conflicts, make sure you fully understand both versions before trying to resolve them.

Contribute to Someone Else’s Project#

  • Clone their project’s repository from GitHub git clone repository_url.

  • Make and commit changes.

  • Push your changes to you GitHub version of the project.

  • Make use of issues to discuss possible changes to a project.

  • Make pull requests on GitHub to share your work.

    • Clearly explain the changes you have made (and why) in your pull request.

Make Sure That Your Data Is Version-Controlled#

  • If your projects involve data, check whether Git LFS, git-annex, or DataLad fits your needs for version-controlling it.

  • Share the data along with your project to help others reproduce your results.