This week our task was to set up a GitHub Repository. I have already done this as part of my portfolio. The link for my github site is here: https://github.com/RichardEllis92.
The reason I set this up is so I can include it as part of my portfolio so potential employers can look through the code I have worked on. I haven’t used it for the purpose of version control. In my practice this hasn’t been much of a factor as I’ve been working on my own and see it as a more collaborative tool but I can see how it can help an individual. Hodges (2019) explains that using version control can help if you make a mistake. If you are writing code and there’s a problem and you are not using version control there is no way back but if version control is being used, you can just revert to commit and go back to before the problem was there. It is a very useful tool and can save your project, or at least many hours trying to fix a problem. Harvie (2018) also makes the point that it’s a great tool for collaboration. There is an upcoming group module so I think this will be vital to be able to share code and work on the same project. Researching this has made me realise I should be version controlling all the time, even working on my own. If I’m making my own game, it’s very likely I’ll be working with others so it will be useful to know how this works on a professional level so we can collaborate.
I am going to use github to version control the next rapid ideation. This will give me good practice at using it and give me some competance before using it with a group. Below is a SMART goal for this;
- Specific – Create the next rapid ideation game using GitHub
- Measurable – I will know I have accomplished the task when I am comfortable at using the software. I will be able to perform tasks such as cloning a repository and merging branches
- Attainable – I have used it upload scripts before and I have watched Rubino’s (2021) guide on how to use it which have given me the starting skills I need
- Relevant – It is standard practice to use version control software within not just the game industry but software development, it will help with collaboration and make it easier to fix mistakes
- Time-bound – 2 weeks, over the rapid ideation
References
GitHub. Available at: https://github.com/ [Accessed 2 November 2021].
Harvie, L., 2018. Version Control — Why Do We Need It?. [online] Medium. Available at: <https://medium.com/@lanceharvieruntime/version-control-why-do-we-need-it-1681f4888cec> [Accessed 2 November 2021].
Hodges, N., 2019. 9 Reasons Even Solo Developers Should Use Source Control. [online] betterprogramming. Available at: <https://betterprogramming.pub/9-reasons-even-solo-developers-should-use-source-control-c4f5939e2a36> [Accessed 2 November 2021].
Rubino, G., 2021. Week 7: Git Version Control. [online] Learn.falmouth.ac.uk. Available at: <https://learn.falmouth.ac.uk/courses/240/pages/week-7-git-version-control?module_item_id=9182> [Accessed 2 November 2021].
Richard Charles Ellis 