Explore how to create and format a ReadMe file using Markdown syntax for Git repositories. Understand the importance of Git as a tool for web development and other programming careers, and discover the variety of classes available to learn these skills.
Key Insights
- Creating a ReadMe file in the root folder of a Git repository is essential for sharing instructions or documentation with others.
- The ReadMe file is typically formatted using Markdown syntax, and there are numerous online guides available for mastering this syntax.
- Once the ReadMe file is complete, it must be committed and pushed to the remote repository to be displayed properly.
- Markdown, the standard format for ReadMe files in Git, was created by John Gruber of Daring Fireball and is designed to be easy-to-read and easy-to-write for web writing.
- Git is a crucial tool for collaboration in programming and web development careers, making its understanding a valuable skill.
- Those interested in learning Git, Markdown, and other skills can participate in a variety of coding classes and bootcamps, including web development, Python, data science, and web design courses, available in NYC or live online.
A ReadMe file is a standard place for instructions or documentation that you want to share with people about a repo. Here's how to add a ReadMe file to your Git repo.
Create a ReadMe File
1. Create a file named README.md in the root (based) folder of the Git repo. 2. Add any instructions or documentation that you want to share with others. Use Markdown to format headings, lists, links, etc. Here are some guides for the Markdown syntax:
- Daringfireball.net/projects/markdown/syntax
- Guides.GitHub.com/features/mastering-markdown
3. When done, commit the changes and push them to the remote repo. GitHub and Bitbucket will display the nicely formatting ReadMe on the project page for the repo.
What is Markdown?
Markdown can be converted into other formats (such as HTML) and has been incorporated into many things. It's the standard format for ReadMe files in Git.
John Gruber of Daring Fireball (daringfireball.net) created Markdown. He says "Markdown is intended to be as easy-to-read and easy-to-write as is feasible. Markdown’s syntax is intended for one purpose: to be used as a format for writing for the web."
Go Beyond Git
Git is an essential tool for collaborating with other programmers. Learn Git and more through our coding classes & bootcamps: