(Gently) Force Group Members to Learn Git and GitHub
I’ve learnt Git and GitHub, and making little but meaningful contributions that have given me real-world experience. Updating others README files, correcting little bugs in others code, pull-add-commit-push my own projects code; it’s the type of repetitive work that helps me get better at understanding things. Learn here.
WhatsApp group code file update
Looking back on the previous semester, my group had to deal with the drawbacks of using a traditional approach: sharing code updates over a WhatsApp group. Although it was uncomfortable, we had little choice but to fulfill assignment deadlines due to time restrictions.
Upskilling to Git
Since version control is essential to software development, I believe that university students like me should have such knowledge. Therefore, I (gently) forced encouraged my group members to become familiar with Git and GitHub by highlighting the similarity between remote desktop programs (e.g., AnyDesk, TeamViewer, GRD) and plugins/extensions like VSCode Live Share and IntelliJ IDEA Code With Me.
Someone hosts the codebase → collaborative programming sessions start. But when the host is offline → chaos among the other group members.
Recommended learning time
I stressed that learning the fundamentals takes no more than a week. Personally, I spent 1–2 days learning the fundamentals and the rest of the week gaining practical experience using Git and GitHub. Learn here.
So, to my fellow “developer students” — embrace Git!