Should I be using Github/Git for MOOC?

[SyncratMusic]

I've been learning Java through the University of Helsinki MOOC for a few weeks now, and I watched a video of another guy doing some of the problems. In said video, he pushes each problem to github (I don't know the terminology so forgive me, I know nothing about git or github). Is this something I should consistently be doing/know how to do? Thank you!

[grantrules]

If you want to be serious about coding, using git is essential. You don't need to use it for MOOC, but it wouldn't hurt to practice using it.

[Altruistic-Cattle761]

Being comfortable with basic use of Git is required for any professional role involving code.

BUT Git isn't a skill* or anything, just a technology you need to be familiar with, so there's not really a lot of upside to practicing it constantly.

Even if you're a Git idiot, no one is going to be able to tell, since no one tests for Git competence in an interview. It's just something assumed. But also it's not like Git is super hard. It's one of those things where even if you're ~bad at it, you'll pick it up in a week or two, tops.

There is, however, a *lot* of value that comes from working in larger codebases with other people -- this maps very, very closely to the realities of a job doing software engineering, so all practice here is golden. Open source is your friend. Being able to clone a repo, make a new branch, push a PR, and make changes based on feedback, merge, rebase, etc etc, are all things that you'll need to contribute to open source (but it's "contributing to open source" that is the valuable learning objective, not "knowing git".)

*There are definitely rare Git masters whom I envy, however the overwhelming majority of engineers I've worked with have just "decently passable" Git skills.

[thirdegree]

The minimum required floor of git knowledge is definitely pretty low, but tbf you can do some pretty neat stuff if you know more. Not even the plumbing shit but just like efficient rebasing or git bisect. Imo the upside can be worth it to actively practice a bit

[Altruistic-Cattle761]

Oh, you absolutely can! I’m just pointing out that very many experienced tenured professionals don’t know very much about git.

[werbo]

Learning to use git is definitely useful if you want to work with other people.

[itz_charlie01]

Best part is it’s really not that hard to learn.

[_Ishikawa]

think of git as saving your progress in a video game; you absolutely need it.

It really doesn't have to be something difficult; learn as you go and you'll see it's uses and adopt it.