Version Control & Collaboration
Git is the tool that records snapshots of your project on your computer. Hosting sites (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket) store a copy online so you can collaborate, open pull requests, and show your work.
You can learn Git locally with only the free Git software. A hosting account is free for public projects on all major platforms; private repos are free within each site’s current personal limits.
Pick one host to start—GitHub is the most common in tutorials and hiring. The skills transfer if you later use GitLab or Bitbucket at work.
Learn Git
Git — official site
Download Git for your operating system and find links to the official documentation and book. This is the canonical place to install the command-line tool.
Install Git before worrying about which hosting website to join.
Pro Git book
https://git-scm.com/book/en/v2
The free Pro Git book covers fundamentals through remotes, branching, and internals. You can read it online without buying a paperback.
Skim early chapters as a companion to hands-on practice, not as a novel you must finish first.
GitHub Docs
Official documentation for GitHub features: repositories, pull requests, Issues, Actions, Pages, and account security. Written for beginners and power users alike.
Search here when a tutorial says “create a PR” and you want GitHub-specific steps.
Host your repos
GitHub
The most widely used Git host for open source and portfolios. Free personal accounts include public and private repositories within GitHub’s current free limits.
Default choice for most Free Computer Courses projects and for following along with popular tutorials.
GitLab
Git hosting with built-in CI/CD, issue tracking, and a free SaaS tier for individuals. Also available as self-hosted software if you ever need that.
Worth knowing; many companies use GitLab even if your portfolio lives on GitHub.
Bitbucket
Atlassian’s Git host, often paired with Jira in workplaces. Free plans exist for small teams; check current private-repo and user limits.
Useful if a class or employer already standardizes on Atlassian tools.
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