How to Handle GitHub Source and Version Control From Xcode
Version control involves you keeping track of the many stages of your code while you build your project. This allows you to have full control of your progress made and be able to retrace and retrieve older versions if you ever need to. You most likely already use some kind of version control tool like GitHub, GitLab, or BitBucket if you are a developer or programmer.
Why Use Xcode for Git Version Control?
Handling file changes with any of the mentioned tools can sometimes get complicated. You could employ the use of acommand-line interface toolor interact with a web interface.
This is also the case when using Git, a powerful distributed version control tool. Having a distributed version control system means that you can collaborate on a project with the team, with everyone having a copy of the entire file repository. The Git tool uses GitHub as a hosting service for its repositories with a web interface for interaction. You should be accustomed toGitHub and its featuresto use Git.
Having full control of file changes and version control right from your Xcode IDE can make your developer experience a lot simpler. Obviously, this can’t replace using the CLI tool in more complex situations, but it’s always a convenience.
Connecting Xcode to a GitHub Account
The first step to connect Xcode to your GitHub account is to navigate to the XcodeSettings>Accountstab. Here you will add and log in to your existing GitHub account.
The application will prompt you to provide yourPersonal Access Token (PAT)to log in to your account successfully.
If you do not have one you can follow these steps to generate a PAT:
Step 1: Accessing Personal Access Tokens in GitHub Settings
Head to your GitHub account on a browser and openSettings>Developer Settings>Personal access tokens.
Step 2: Generating a New Token
If you already have a token it would show up. If the list is empty,ClickonGenerate new tokento get a new token.
Step 3: Customizing and Saving the Generated Token
You will be presented with the page above, where you can personalize and configure different settings for your token. Go ahead and generate the token, copy and save it.
You now have a Personal Access Token you can use to sign in to your GitHub account on Xcode.
Working With a Remote GitHub Repository From Xcode
You can create a brand-new GitHub repository for your project from Xcode or add an existing repository to the project. Let’s first explore how you can create a new repository.
Creating a New Repository
Open Xcode and create a new project inside your preferred source folder.
Be sure to check theCreate Git repository on my Mac option.
Now inside your Xcode project, navigate to the source control tab in the side control panel. InsideRepositories, right-click onRemotesand select create a new remote GitHub repository for your project.
Specify a name and create the repository with your configurations.
You should now see your newly created repository within your GitHub.
Connecting to an Existing Remote Repository
Connecting to an existing repository from Xcode is just as simple as creating a new one.
To do this, right-click onRemotesand selectAdd Existing Remote. Here you will specify a name for the repository and the location URL (you may copy this from the remote repository on GitHub). The given name will be used to create the local Git folder generated on your computer.
ClickAddto link the remote Git repository to the local project folder.
Committing and Pushing Code Changes
With Xcode connected to your remote GitHub repository, you can now make full changes to your code files and have those changes reflected on GitHub without needing to do it from a terminal window or using the GitHub web interface.
To test this, make a simple change to your code, like adding a newText Viewto the app. Go toSource Control>Commitin the Xcode popover panel to commit your code. You can also hitOption+Command+Csimultaneously.
You will see an interface comparing the changes to your code. You will be required to write a commit message for the commit.
Be sure to checkPush to remotebefore committing and pushing the file.
Creating a Pull Request
you may also manage creating and merging pull requests right from inside Xcode to a remote Git repository. To test this out, make some changes to your app’s code. You can see changes to your code indicated by a blue bar to the left of the code inside Xcode. Now create and name a new branch for the repository.
Xcode should automatically switch you to the new branch. In case it did not, you can always switch between branches in the overhead panel. Inside the new branch, make new changes to your code base and go toSource Control>Create a Pull Request.
The below image demonstrates a pull request made from the createdtest_branchto themainbranch.
You can name your pull request and give it a fitting description. Then hitPublishto make the pull request.
To see the request and merge it, open the branch inside GitHub.
You should see your made pull request inside the web interface. You can also merge the request from Xcode by switching to the right branch. You’ll need the right permissions to do this.
Xcode Limitations for Git Version Control
While Xcode provides a convenient interface for handling Git version control, it’s important to be aware of its limitations:
Considering these limitations and evaluating whether they align with your project’s requirements and your team’s preferred workflows is essential. You can, however, always supplement Xcode’s capabilities with other Git tools or platforms to help you overcome these limitations and optimize your version control process.
Getting Familiar With Version Control Using Xcode
Using Xcode to handle Git version control can be a fun and easy way to streamline collaboration, track code changes, and contribute effectively to projects hosted on GitHub. you’re able to save time, increase productivity and skip any unnecessary complexities. As a developer, you can always appreciate having all the tools you need inside your IDE.
Looking for a way to enhance productivity in Microsoft Visual Studio? These tips, tricks, and tools might be just what you need to code efficiently.
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