Git - Adding New Files

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One of the most fundamental tasks we perform with Git is adding new files to your repository. This process is straightforward but also central to how Git operates. Whether starting a new project or adding files to an existing one, understanding how to add files in Git is essential. This guide covers the various ways you can add new files, explains the commands involved, and highlights best practices.

to understand the Git workflow please refer Git - Life Cycle.

The process of adding files in Git typically follows this flow:

• Edit/Modify files: Add or edit files in the working directory.

• Stage the files: Use git add to move these files into the staging area.

• Commit the files: Use git commit to move the files from the staging area to the repository, marking a snapshot in the project's history.

Adding New Files to a Git Repository

The process of adding new files to a Git repository begins with creating or modifying files in your project's working directory. Once the files are ready, we can stage and commit them.

Create a New File

Let us assume we are working on a project and need to add a new file. Create a new file in the working directory.

For example, to create a new file called example.txt, using any text editor or Integrated Development Environment (IDE).

Add some content to it. For instance:

This is an example file for the Tutorialspoint Git tutorial.

Stage the New File

Once the file is created and edited, it needs to be staged before it can be committed to the repository. Staging allows us to prepare files for the commit, giving us the control over what changes will be included.

To stage a file, use the git add command followed by the file name:

git add example.txt

This command moves the file example.txt from the working directory to the staging area.

Adding Multiple Files

Multiple files can be added one by one:

git add file1.txt
git add file2.txt
git add file3.txt

Or, we can add all files in the current directory by using the following command:

git add .

This command stages all new or modified files in the current directory.

Alternatively, we can use a wildcard to add specific types of files. For example, to add all .txt files in the current directory:

git add *.txt

Staging Files in Subdirectories

Git also allows us to add files from subdirectories. For instance, if a file is located in src/main/file.java, we can stage it with:

git add src/main/file.java

Similarly, we can add all files within a specific directory:

git add src/

This command stages all files and directories under `src`.

Commit the Staged Files

Once your files are staged, the next step is to commit them to the repository. A commit is a snapshot of the state of your project at a specific point in time, and each commit should have a clear and descriptive message explaining the changes made.

To commit the staged files, use the following command:

git commit -m "Add example.txt file for tutorial"

After running the commit command, the staged changes are now part of the repository's history.

Adding new files in Git is a fundamental task that every developer should master. By understanding the Git workflowcreating, staging, and committing filesyou can effectively manage your project's files and history.