Mastering Git for Collaborative Data Engineering: Branching, Pull Requests, and Best Practices
Introduction
In this session, we aim to equip you with the knowledge and skills to use Git in a team environment effectively. We will focus on repository handling, best practices for branching, and using pull requests in data engineering tasks.
The README.md
A README file is an essential component of any software project, serving as the first point of reference for new users, contributors, and long-term project maintenance. It effectively communicates:
- the purpose of the project,
- the origin of the data (if applicable),
- provides a clear guide on how to install and use the software,
- and details how one can contribute to the project’s development.
An effective README is vital for clear communication; it helps all stakeholders—from developers to end-users—understand and interact with the project efficiently. This document boosts user engagement by delivering crucial information upfront and sets a professional documentation standard. A well-crafted README is essential for setting expectations, guiding contributions, and enabling effective use and collaboration. https://www.makeareadme.com/
The LICENCE
A proper license is fundamental to any software project, clarifying usage rights and restrictions for users and contributors. It protects the creators' intellectual property while enabling controlled sharing and modification. A license ensures legal clarity and promotes wider adoption and responsible use by defining how the software can be used, copied, modified, and distributed. In essence, a well-defined license is crucial for safeguarding developers and informing users about their rights and responsibilities regarding the software. https://choosealicense.com/
The GIT workflow
https://www.atlassian.com/git/tutorials/comparing-workflows
What follows is just one take on the topic. Explore the above link to widen your horizon and grasp alternative flows.
Cloning the Repository
Cloning a repository creates a local copy of the remote repository on your machine. This allows you to work on the project independently and synchronize your changes with the remote repository. You can clone a repository with the command git clone [url].
Creating a Feature Branch
A feature branch is created for each new feature or task you're working on. This practice helps in isolating changes and makes collaboration easier. You can create and switch to a new branch using git checkout -b [branch-name]. The branch name should describe the feature or task.
Making Changes
Changes to the code are made in the feature branch. After making changes, you should commit them with a clear and descriptive commit message. This helps in understanding the purpose of the change and aids in tracking progress. You can add changes to the staging area with git add [file-name] and then commit them using git commit -m "[descriptive message]".
Syncing with the Main Branch
It's essential to keep your feature branch up-to-date with the main branch to avoid conflicts when merging your changes. You can pull updates from the main branch using git pull origin main. If there are conflicts, they need to be resolved manually.
Pushing Changes and Creating a Pull Request
After committing your changes, you can push your feature branch to the remote repository using `git push origin [branch-name]`. Then, you can create a pull request through the GitHub interface. Your pull request should clearly describe the changes made.
Reviewing a Pull Request
Code review is a crucial part of the development process. Consider the code's overall design, correctness, and style when reviewing a pull request. Feedback should be constructive and specific. In GitHub, you can comment on specific lines of code and suggest changes.
Addressing Review Feedback
- Learn to make further changes based on review feedback and update the pull request.
If there are comments on your pull request, you should address them by making further changes to your code or explaining your decisions. After making changes based on feedback, you can add, commit, and push your changes as before, which will update the pull request.
Resolving Merge Conflicts
- Gain the ability to resolve merge conflicts with the main branch.
If conflicts exist between your feature and main branches, you must resolve them before merging your changes. You'll need to manually edit the conflicting files to choose which changes to keep, then add and commit the resolved files.
Merging the Pull Request
Once all feedback has been addressed and all checks passed, the pull request can be merged into the main branch. This can be done using the GitHub interface.
Deleting the Feature Branch
After merging your changes, you can delete the feature branch as it's no longer needed. This can be done locally with git branch -d [branch-name] and on the remote with git push origin --delete [branch-name].