Installing Git on Ubuntu, Windows, and Mac

Summary: Step-by-step guide to install Git on any operating system.

Version control is an essential part of modern software development, and Git is the most widely used system for tracking changes in source code. Whether you’re collaborating on a team or managing your personal projects, installing Git is your first step into this world. This guide walks you through installing Git on the three major operating systems: Ubuntu (Linux), Windows, and macOS.

Table of Contents

  1. Installing Git on Ubuntu (Linux)
  2. Installing Git on Windows
  3. Installing Git on Mac
  4. Verifying the Installation
  5. First-time Setup
  6. Conclusion

Installing Git on Ubuntu (Linux)

The preferred way to install Git on Ubuntu is through the apt package manager. Here’s how:

1. Update your package index

sudo apt update

2. Install Git

sudo apt install git

3. Verify the installation

git --version

You should see output similar to:
git version 2.x.x

Optional: Installing the Latest Version

The version of Git in Ubuntu’s default repositories might not be the latest. You can add the official Git PPA to get the most recent version:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:git-core/ppa
sudo apt update
sudo apt install git

Installing Git on Windows

On Windows, Git provides an installer that bundles everything you need, including the Git Bash shell.

1. Download the Installer

2. Run the Installer

  • Double-click the downloaded .exe file.
  • Follow the installation wizard. You can keep the default settings unless you have specific requirements.

During installation, you’ll have several configuration options:

  • Choose the default editor (e.g., Vim, Notepad++).
  • Adjust the PATH environment (default is recommended).
  • Select HTTPS transport backend (default is recommended).
  • Configure line ending conversions (choose based on your workflow).

3. Complete Installation

  • Once installed, you can access Git from the Command Prompt (cmd), PowerShell, or the provided Git Bash terminal.

4. Verify

Open Git Bash (or Command Prompt) and type:

git --version

Installing Git on Mac

You can install Git on macOS using several methods. The easiest are via Homebrew (recommended) or Xcode Command Line Tools.

Method 1: Using Homebrew

  1. Install Homebrew (if not installed):

    /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

  2. Install Git:

    brew install git

  3. Verify the installation:

    git --version

Method 2: Xcode Command Line Tools

If you do not want to use Homebrew:

  1. Open Terminal.

  2. Type:

    xcode-select --install

  3. A pop-up will appear for you to install the Command Line Tools, which include Git.

Verifying the Installation

On any platform, confirm that Git is working by opening a terminal/command prompt and entering:

git --version

You should see output resembling:

git version 2.x.x

If you see this, Git has been installed successfully!

First-time Setup

Before you start using Git, configure your identity:

git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "you@example.com"

To check your settings, run:

git config --list

Conclusion

With Git installed on your operating system, you’re ready to start tracking your code and collaborating with others efficiently. Whether you’re using Ubuntu, Windows, or Mac, the process is straightforward. Don’t forget to perform the first-time setup so your commits are properly identified. Happy coding!

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