To automatically save previous versions of your code when syncing to GitHub, you need to use Git’s version control features properly. GitHub does not simply overwrite your files; it tracks every change you commit, so you never have to manually copy old code to keep previous versions. Here’s how to set it up and use it correctly:
1. Initialize a Git repository (if you haven’t already):
- Use GitHub Desktop or the command line to create a new repository for your project. This sets up version control in your project folder.
2. Make changes and commit them:
- Each time you finish a set of changes (e.g., a new feature, a bug fix), commit those changes. In GitHub Desktop, you’ll see your changed files, and you can write a summary message before clicking “Commit to main” (or another branch).
- Each commit is a snapshot of your project at that point in time. Git automatically saves every version—you do not need to manually copy files to preserve older versions.
3. Sync (push) your commits to GitHub:
- After committing locally, click “Push origin” in GitHub Desktop to upload your changes to GitHub.com. This keeps your online repository up to date and safely stores your project history in the cloud.
4. To view or restore previous versions:
- You can browse your commit history in GitHub Desktop or on GitHub.com.
- To see or revert to a previous version, use the history view in GitHub Desktop, or use commands like
git logandgit checkout <commit-hash>if you use the command line.
Key Points:
If you are only copying over files and not making commits, GitHub will not track versions—it will just see the latest file. To get true version control, always make a commit for each change you want to save, then push those commits to GitHub.
If you need more detailed, step-by-step help with GitHub Desktop or command line, let me know your preference and I can provide exact instructions.
Leave a Reply