Version Control 101

A comprehensive series on version control with Git and GitHub, based on real-world experience building and maintaining production microservices.

Series Overview

This series covers everything you need to know about version control, from basic Git fundamentals to advanced repository strategies and production workflows.

What You'll Learn

• Git Fundamentals: Core concepts, commands, and workflows

• Branching Strategies: Git Flow, GitHub Flow, and Trunk-Based Development

• Repository Strategies: Monorepo vs Polyrepo approaches with real examples

• GitHub Best Practices: Pull requests, code reviews, and team collaboration

• Production Workflows: CI/CD integration, release management, and deployment strategies

Series Parts

1. Part 1: Introduction to Version Control and Git Fundamentals

   • Understanding version control and why it matters

   • Git core concepts: commits, branches, remotes

   • Essential Git commands and workflows

   • Setting up Git and GitHub for development

2. Part 2: Branching Strategies and Workflows

   • Git Flow: feature, develop, release, hotfix branches

   • GitHub Flow: simplified workflow for continuous deployment

   • Trunk-Based Development: modern CI/CD approach

   • Choosing the right strategy for your team

3. Part 3: Monorepo vs Polyrepo Strategies

   • Understanding monorepo architecture

   • Polyrepo approach and when to use it

   • Real-world examples from microservices projects

   • Trade-offs and decision-making framework

4. Part 4: GitHub Best Practices and Collaboration

   • Pull request workflows and templates

   • Code review best practices

   • GitHub Actions and automation

   • Team collaboration patterns

5. Part 5: Advanced Version Control and Production Workflows

   • Release management and versioning

   • Hotfix procedures and emergency deployments

   • Git hooks and automation

   • Troubleshooting common issues

Prerequisites

• Basic command line knowledge

• Understanding of programming fundamentals

• A GitHub account (free tier is sufficient)

Who This Series Is For

• Backend developers working with microservices

• Teams transitioning to better version control practices

• Developers wanting to understand repository strategies

• Anyone building production applications with Git and GitHub

Real-World Context

Throughout this series, I'll share experiences from building TypeScript microservices with various repository structures, including:

• Managing shared packages across multiple services

• Coordinating releases across distributed teams

• Handling emergency hotfixes in production

• Implementing CI/CD pipelines with different branching strategies

Let's dive in and master version control!