GitHub Foundations Certification Guide: Essential skills, real-world labs, and exam strategies for GitHub beginners

"Readers will gain the skills needed to pass the certification and a deeper appreciation of how GitHub can transform the way individuals and teams build software." - Irshad Burtally, Senior Director, Customer Success Architecture, GitHub

"Whether you prefer instructor-led training, on-demand videos, or interactive labs, the GitHub Foundations Certification journey meets you where you are - making learning accessible, engaging, and relevant." - Ali Condah, Senior Director, Certification & Enablement, GitHub

Key Features

• Become an expert in Git and GitHub for modern development
• Solidify your learning using hands-on guides with real-world projects and self-assessment questions
• Prepare for the certification exam with questions, tests, and study tips
• Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook

Book Description

Progress from the basics of version control to excelling at collaborative development with the GitHub Foundations Certification Guide, your go-to resource for mastering Git and GitHub. You'll learn how to use Git to accurately track and manage code changes, and discover why GitHub is the leading platform for collaboration, project management, and open-source development.

Written by Ayodeji Ayodele, Senior Customer Success Architect at GitHub with expertise in DevOps, Agile coaching, and software engineering, this book provides a structured path to Git/GitHub proficiency. Through hands-on tutorials, projects, and self-assessment questions, you’ll harness the potential of open source, navigate the GitHub platform with ease, employ advanced Git techniques, and gain practical code management skills.

The book then explores secure collaboration, automation, and key features of the GitHub Desktop app. You’ll prepare for the certification exam with practice questions, mock exams, and invaluable study tips.

By the end of this book, you’ll be ready to take the GitHub Foundations exam and advance your developer career.

What you will learn

• Create and manage repositories on GitHub confidently
• Collaborate effectively using issues and pull requests
• Adopt modern development practices using advanced GitHub features
• Enhance coding speed and quality with GitHub Copilot's AI suggestions
• Streamline project management using GitHub Projects
• Leverage GitHub's capabilities to boost your career or grow your business
• Implement best practices for GitHub privacy, security, and control

Who this book is for

This book is for software developers and engineers looking to master Git and GitHub for efficient code management, project collaboration, and streamlined workflows. Infrastructure engineers and system administrators will benefit from learning how to manage scripts and track infrastructure changes. Educators and trainers can use this guide to teach software development and prepare students for industry certifications. Aspiring developers and tech professionals will find it a valuable resource for building essential GitHub skills and advancing their software development careers.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Version Control with Git
2. Navigating the GitHub Interface
3. Repository Creation and Management
4. Basic Git Commands and Workflows
5. Branching and Merging Strategies
6. Pull Requests and Code Reviews
7. Issues, Projects, Labels, and Milestone
8. GitHub Actions and Automation
9. Engaging with the Community through GitHub Discussions
10. Building and Showcasing Your GitHub Presence
11. Contributing to Open Source Projects

(N.B. Please use the Read Sample option to see further chapters)

Ayodeji (Ayo) is a seasoned architect, DevOps evangelist, author and coach, dedicated to helping teams deliver high-quality software efficiently. With 18+ years in tech, he has worked across Financial Services, Tech, FMCG, Public Sector, and Manufacturing. His expertise includes solution architecture, DevOps, software engineering, Agile coaching, and cloud technologies. He has worked with CIOs and tech leaders across Asia, Oceania, and Africa to drive Agile and DevOps adoption. Currently a Senior Customer Success Architect at GitHub, Ayo helps enterprise clients thrive in their journey by deeply understanding their needs and objectives, and harnessing the power of GitHub's tools and services to drive success in their businesses.