GH-900 GitHub Foundations Question and Answers

GitHub Projects supports various layouts to help teams organize and visualize their work. The available layouts include:

B. Kanban: This is a visual task management tool where tasks are represented as cards and moved across columns that represent different stages of work.

C. Board: This layout is similar to Kanban but can be more flexible, allowing users to set up boards in various ways to suit their workflow needs.

D. Table: The Table layout allows you to view your tasks in a spreadsheet-like format, making it easy to manage and edit large amounts of data at once.

Roadmap and Backlog are not standard layouts provided by GitHub Projects. While these terms might be relevant in other project management contexts, GitHub Projects specifically offers Kanban, Board, and Table layouts.

=================

A gist on GitHub is essentially a Git repository, albeit a simplified one, designed for sharing snippets of code, notes, or other text content. Gists support version control and can be public or secret.

Gist as a Git Repository:

Option B is correct because each gist is a Git repository, meaning you can clone it, commit changes, and even fork it, just like any other Git repository.

Incorrect Options:

Option A is incorrect because a gist is not an app; it’s a feature of GitHub that provides a simplified repository.

Option C is incorrect because while a gist may contain Markdown documents, it is fundamentally a repository that can hold various file types.

Option D is incorrect because GitHub Pages is a separate service for hosting websites, not related to gists.

Commits and pull requests (PRs) are fundamental concepts in Git and GitHub workflows, particularly in collaborative software development.

Commits:

Commits are individual changes or updates made to the codebase. Each commit is identified by a unique SHA-1 hash and typically includes a commit message describing the changes.

Commits are made to a specific branch in the repository. The branch could be the main branch, or more commonly, a feature branch created for specific work or a feature.

Pull Requests (PRs):

A pull request is a mechanism for developers to notify team members that a branch is ready to be merged into another branch, usually the main branch.

PRs are used to review code, discuss changes, and make improvements before the branch is merged into the target branch.

Relationship Between Commits and PRs:

Option A is correct because commits are made on a branch, and this branch can have a pull request associated with it. The pull request tracks the branch’s commits and allows for code review before merging into the target branch.

Commits can be added to the branch both before and after the pull request is created. Any new commits pushed to the branch are automatically included in the pull request.

Incorrect Options:

Option B is incorrect because commits can be made both before and after a pull request is created.

Option C is incorrect because it suggests that commits can only be made before a pull request is created, which is not true.

Option D is incorrect because commits are not made on a pull request; they are made on a branch. The pull request links a branch to another branch (e.g., feature branch to the main branch).

From a discussion post on GitHub, a user can Create an issue from the discussion. This feature allows users to turn a discussion into an actionable item by creating an issue directly from the discussion thread. This is particularly useful when a conversation identifies a bug, task, or enhancement that needs to be tracked in the repository.

=================

The CODEOWNERS file in a GitHub repository is used to define individuals or teams that are responsible for specific parts of the codebase. When changes are made to files or directories that match the patterns specified in the CODEOWNERS file, GitHub automatically requests reviews from the listed code owners.

Setting Reviewers Automatically:

Option D is correct because the primary purpose of a CODEOWNERS file is to automatically set reviewers for pull requests that affect the specified files or directories. This ensures that the appropriate team members are notified and review the changes before they are merged.

Incorrect Options:

Option A is incorrect because the CODEOWNERS file does not restrict who can edit specific files; it only influences who is required to review changes.

Option B is partially related but not fully accurate because while CODEOWNERS does require certain reviews, it does not mandate peer review for all code changes.

Option C is incorrect because the CODEOWNERS file does not define access permissions for the repository; it deals with code review processes.

The Codespaces lifecycle on GitHub includes several key steps:

Create: This is the step where a new Codespace is initiated.

Rebuild: A Codespace can be rebuilt to ensure that the environment is up-to-date with the latest code or configurations.

Delete: Once a Codespace is no longer needed, it can be deleted to free up resources.

Committing, cloning, or installing are typical Git operations but are not considered part of the specific lifecycle steps for a GitHub Codespace.

=================

Innersource is a development practice where an organization adopts open-source development methodologies within its own internal environment. The primary goal of innersource is to break down silos and encourage collaboration across different teams within the organization.

Sharing Code Between Teams:

Option B is correct because innersource involves sharing code between teams within the organization, similar to how open-source communities share code across the public domain. This practice fosters collaboration, improves code quality, and allows for reuse of code, reducing duplication of efforts.

Incorrect Options:

Option A is incorrect because adopting open-source code into the organization is related to using open-source software, not specifically to innersource practices.

Option C is incorrect because removing open-source code from the organization is contrary to the principles of both open source and innersource.

Option D is incorrect because making all repositories publicly accessible refers to open source, not innersource. Innersource typically involves keeping code internal to the organization.

In GitHub Flow, creating a new branch is a key step in the development process that allows for isolated development of new features or fixes without affecting the main codebase.

Experimenting with New Features or Fixes:

Option C is correct. The primary purpose of creating a new branch in the GitHub flow is to provide a safe space to experiment with new features or fixes. This allows developers to work on changes independently and only merge them into the main branch after they have been reviewed and approved.

Incorrect Options:

Option A (To create a backup of the main branch) is incorrect because branches are not typically used for backups; they are for active development.

Option B (To capture information about an issue) is incorrect because issues are tracked separately; branches are for code changes.

Option D (To incorporate changes from a review) is incorrect because incorporating changes is done during the pull request process, not when creating a branch.

The qualifier mentions: is used in GitHub's search functionality to find issues that mention a certain user. For example, if you want to find all issues where a specific user is mentioned, you would use mentions:username. This helps in tracking where a user has been involved in discussions across issues or pull requests.

=================

Pull requests are created to propose changes from one branch to another. These branches must be different; otherwise, there would be no changes to propose. Typically, pull requests are made from a feature or topic branch to a main branch (such as main or master), allowing for code review and integration before the changes are merged.

=================

GitHub Desktop is a graphical interface that allows users to interact with GitHub repositories. It simplifies certain Git operations without the need for command-line usage.

GitHub Desktop Capabilities:

Option C is correct because GitHub Desktop allows users to add local repositories to their GitHub account, clone repositories from GitHub to their local machine, and manage repositories effectively.

Incorrect Options:

Option A is incorrect because GitHub Desktop does not support creating or managing issues directly; this is done through the GitHub web interface.

Option B is incorrect because reviewing and approving pull requests is also managed through the GitHub web interface.

Option D is incorrect because commenting on discussions is done on the GitHub platform, not through GitHub Desktop.

Option E is incorrect because GitHub Desktop does not integrate with office suite software.

The feature you can use to merge proposed changes in a repository on GitHub is Pull requests. Pull requests are a core feature of GitHub, allowing developers to propose changes to a codebase, review code, discuss the changes, and eventually merge them into the main branch. This collaborative workflow ensures that code is reviewed and vetted before becoming part of the project.

=================

As mentioned in the answer to Question no. 66, GitHub Actions workflows can reference actions from a variety of sources:

Any Public Repository:

Option A is correct. Actions can be sourced from any public GitHub repository.

The Same Repository as Your Workflow File:

Option B is correct. Actions within the same repository as the workflow file can be referenced directly.

A Published Docker Container Image on Docker Hub:

Option E is correct. Workflows can also use actions provided as Docker container images from Docker Hub.

Incorrect Options:

Option C and D are not relevant for directly referencing actions in workflows.

On GitHub, certain actions automatically subscribe you to conversations so that you receive notifications about further activity in that thread.

Opening a Pull Request or Issue:

Option C is correct because when you open a pull request or issue, you are automatically subscribed to the conversation and will receive notifications for any updates.

Commenting on a Thread:

Option D is correct because commenting on an issue or pull request automatically subscribes you to that thread, ensuring you are notified of further comments or changes.

Being Assigned to an Issue or Pull Request:

Option E is correct because when you are assigned to an issue or pull request, you are automatically subscribed to notifications related to it.

Incorrect Options:

Option A is incorrect because pushing a commit to the default branch does not automatically subscribe you to conversations.

Option B is incorrect because being added as a repo admin does not automatically subscribe you to specific conversations unless you engage with them.

In a Git repository, a file can be in one of the following three valid states:

Committed: The file is saved in the local repository. It is part of the permanent history of the project.

Modified: The file has been changed but not yet staged or committed. It is in the working directory.

Staged: The file has been marked to be included in the next commit. It is in the staging area, ready to be committed.

These states represent the typical lifecycle of a file as it moves through the process of being edited, reviewed, and saved in Git.

=================

GitHub Projects is a flexible and powerful tool for project management that allows users to manage their work with ease. One of the key characteristics of GitHub Projects is the ability to create and customize multiple views. This feature enables teams to tailor the project management experience to their specific workflow needs, offering various ways to visualize tasks, issues, and work items.

Custom Views: You can set up different views like Kanban boards, tables, or timelines, and apply filters to show only what is relevant for a particular aspect of the project. This customization allows teams to organize their work in a way that best suits their processes, making it a highly adaptable project management tool.

Other options, such as visualizing commit history (which would fall under the 'Insights' feature), importing Gantt charts (which GitHub Projects does not natively support), or enforcing required fields (which might relate to form-based tools but not to GitHub Projects specifically), do not align with the key characteristics of GitHub Projects.

=================

When multiple README files exist in different locations within a GitHub repository, the README.md file located in the root directory of the repository will be displayed first by default. This file serves as the main documentation for the repository and is automatically rendered on the repository's home page.

Root Directory:

Option C is correct because the README.md file in the root directory is prioritized and displayed first on GitHub. This is the standard behavior for how GitHub presents documentation.

Incorrect Options:

Option A (.github) is incorrect because while a README.md file in the .github directory might be used for certain configurations, it is not the first to be displayed.

Option B (/src) is incorrect because the README.md in the src directory is not prioritized over the root.

Option D (/docs) is incorrect because documentation in the /docs folder is typically secondary to the root README.md.

GitHub Copilot for Business offers several features that are tailored to the needs of organizations, providing more control, security, and support compared to the individual version.

Organization-wide Policy Management:

Option B is correct because Copilot for Business allows organizations to manage policies across their entire user base, providing control over how Copilot is used within the organization.

Blocking Suggestions Matching Public Code:

Option C is correct because Copilot for Business includes enhanced security features, such as blocking code suggestions that match public code to prevent inadvertent use of unlicensed code.

Support for Organization or Enterprise GitHub Accounts:

Option E is correct because Copilot for Business supports integration with GitHub Enterprise accounts, offering additional administrative controls and integration capabilities.

Incorrect Options:

Option A (multi-line function suggestions) is a feature available in both individual and business versions, so it does not differentiate the business offering.

Option D (VPN proxy support via self-signed certificates) is not a primary differentiator of Copilot for Business.

Option F (plugs directly into the editor) is true for both individual and business versions, so it is not unique to Copilot for Business.

Saved replies in GitHub are a feature that allows users to create and save templates of commonly used responses for issues and pull requests. This feature can significantly enhance productivity and ensure consistent communication.

Saved Replies Are Tied to a User's Personal Account:

Option A is correct because saved replies are specific to a user's GitHub account, meaning they are accessible to the user across all repositories they have access to.

Saved Replies Allow Reusable Responses:

Option C is correct because the primary purpose of saved replies is to allow users to create reusable responses for issues and pull requests, saving time and ensuring consistency.

Incorrect Options:

Option B is incorrect because saved replies are not allocated at the enterprise level; they are specific to individual user accounts.

Option D is incorrect because saved replies do not send auto notifications; they are manually inserted by the user when responding to issues or pull requests.