Week 1: Git Basics and First Python Steps

Welcome to Week 1!

Theme: Git Basics and First Python Steps

Goals: 

• Understand Git and GitHub

• Use basic Git commands

• Write and run your first Python script

What is Git?

• A version control system

• Tracks changes to files

• Helps manage project history

• Supports teamwork and collaboration

Why Use Git?

• Undo mistakes easily

• Work on different features safely

• Collaborate with others

• Share code confidently

Common Git Commands

git init          # Start tracking a project

git status        # Check file status

git add filename  # Stage changes

git commit -m "Message"  # Save a snapshot

git pull origin main  #Pull from Repo

git push origin main # Push to Repo

Set Up Git (First Time)

git config --global user.name "Timothy"
git config --global user.email "Timothy@gmail.com"

What is GitHub?

• Website that hosts Git repositories
  

• Lets you store code online
  

• Makes collaboration easier (pull requests, issues)
  

• Common for open source and teamwork

Git vs GitHub

What is Python for Data Science

• A versatile programming language for analysing data and it is open source
  

• Offers powerful libraries(Pandas, Numpy, Matplotlib)
  

• Simplifies data cleaning, visualisation, and modelling
  

• Widely used in industry and research

Python Setup Tips

• Use VS Code or Jupyter Notebooks

• Install Python from https://python.org or use Anaconda

• Test Python is working:

python --version