Why We Use Git in This Course

If this is your first experience with development, you may be wondering why you are learning Git alongside iOS programming. It might feel like extra complexity when you’re already focused on mastering Swift and Xcode. This is a completely normal reaction - many students initially see Git as unnecessary overhead that slows them down. However, Git isn’t just a course requirement; it’s an essential tool that will support your learning process and serve as the foundation for your entire development career. Understanding why we use Git from day one will help you appreciate its value and use it more effectively throughout the bootcamp.

For Managing Your Learning Portfolio:

• “Each week’s homework becomes a permanent record of your progress - you’ll be amazed looking back at Week 1 code when you’re on Week 10”
• “Your GitHub repository becomes your professional portfolio that you can show to employers”
• “Git prevents the nightmare of losing weeks of work due to computer crashes or accidental deletions”

For Building Professional Habits:

• “Every iOS development job expects you to use version control - we’re teaching you industry-standard workflows”
• “The branching workflow you’re learning mirrors exactly how development teams work at companies like Apple, Google, and startups”
• “Your commit history demonstrates your problem-solving process to future employers”

For This Specific Course Structure:

• “Your mentor needs to review your code without affecting your ability to continue working - branches make this possible”
• “When you get feedback, Git helps you track what changes you made in response”
• “Group projects later in the course require collaboration tools - you’re building these skills now”

What Happens Without Git:

• “Students who skip proper Git workflow often lose work and fall behind”
• “Employers immediately notice candidates who don’t understand version control”
• “You’ll struggle in collaborative projects without these foundational skills”

You have already learned how to use Git on the command line and understand the fundamental concepts of repositories, branches, commits, and merges. Now you will learn how to use GitHub Desktop in this course, which provides a visual interface for the same Git operations you’ve already mastered. GitHub Desktop doesn’t replace your Git knowledge - instead, it makes common Git tasks more intuitive and efficient through its graphical interface. This approach allows you to focus on learning iOS development while still following professional version control practices. As you work through this tutorial, you’ll see how each GitHub Desktop action corresponds to the Git commands you already know, making the transition seamless while reducing the chance of syntax errors that can slow down your coding workflow.