Robert Chen – My 8th Grade Git Adventures Merge Conflicts & Coding Lessons Learned

Dive: Coder - Git
Description: Can use both git and an online repository system
Level: Level 1
Level Requirements: Can use git at a basic level and has an account with an online repository
Certified On: Feb 26, 2019

Editor’s Note: On all dive certifications, we try to edit the writing as little as possible to preserve authenticity, personality, and writing style. We typically fix spelling errors, but minimally modify grammar and sentence structure (just enough to ensure readability).

Name: Robert Chen Break Diving Level: Level 1 Number of Certified Dives: 5 From: United States In: United States

1. When and Why Did You Decide to Pursue This Dive At This Level? What was your inspiration and motivation?

I decided to create an online git repository when I was in eighth grade because I had started to become serious about coding. I went to Github.com and made an account there. It took me a while to learn how to use git for version control but it was definitely worth it. It was the start of my journey into the amazing world of open source.

I’m not sure if I can accurately say that I fully understand the purpose of an online repo at the time I joined. I think that there are a lot of different reasons for people to use online repos. Some people just want a place to put their code. Some people like the idea of having a version control system. Personally, I use it for the latter reason, and it wasn’t long before I recognized the usefulness of using git and github for this reason.

2. How Long Did It Take For You To Accomplish This Dive At This Level From The Day You Decided To Pursue It, And Why Did It Take That Long?

Overall, this dive took me about a week. It was difficult learning git at first. Over time however, I feel that I have begun to understand more and more about how git works. There is definitely a bit of a learning curve but you can find some tutorials online to help speed you through the process, and the more you use it, the easier it gets.

3. What Was The Hardest Part About Achieving This Particular Dive Level?

There is a lot of depth to git. I still don’t know all the commands.

4. What Was The Easiest Part About Achieving This Particular Dive Level?

The easiest part is that it’s very easy to get into. People can create a github account in seconds, and can start using git immediately without much previous background knowledge.

5. What Is Your Advice For Someone Who Is Pursuing This Dive And Level?

Don’t give up. A github account takes a while to fully setup but it’s worth it in the end. You get access to a large open source community that is very supportive and wants to see you succeed, just like Break Diving!

6. What Are Some Of The Best Resources You Recommend to Those Pursuing This Dive At This Level, And Why Do You Recommend Them? Please Include Relevant Weblinks, If Applicable.

When getting started, start here:

Resource 1: Github - You can create your account here.

Resource 2: W3Schools Git - A great free tutorial on how to use Git.

Resource 3: -

Resource 4: -

Resource 5: -

7. Tell Us A Story Of One Of Your Adventures While Pursuing This Dive (At This Level).

There are a lot of different issues you can run into when using git. However, git merge conflicts are by far the worst.

Once I was working on a personal project (a cool game) for fun with a couple of friends. We had decided to use git because it allowed for easier version control and code sharing.

One day, I pulled the changes, and realized that there was suddenly a merge conflict. Usually we work on separate files so this rarely happens, but it turns out that some miscommunication occurred resulting in a new conflict.

I used google to try and find a solution but to no avail. I had no idea how to fix this issue. I ended up having to do a hard reset because I had messed up my local repository so much.

Lesson learned: sometimes, it’s easier to actually rewrite the code from scratch then to have to fix a complicated merge conflict.

8. What Evidence Did You Submit to Prove You Met the Requirements for This Dive and Level?

My github account is https://github.com/chen-robert Feel free to check it out!

9. Will You Be Pursuing The Next Level For This Dive? If Yes, Why? If Not, Why Not?

Yes, I will continue learning about git and will be pursuing the next level of git certification here at Break Diving. As a staff member on the Break Diving coding team, I use git every day, and nearly every day, I am learning something new.

10. What is the Break Diver's Creed?

No Rules. No Excuses. No Regrets.

Certificate photo:

And having made this post, and provided adequate evidence to the dive committee, Robert Chen is now hereby certified by Break Diving, Inc. as: Coder - Git - Level 1. Congratulations ! Thank you for being an inspiration to others!

Certificate number: 11

The author above wrote this WYSEguidance post as one of the certification requirements to become certified by Break Diving, Inc. for a dive completed. Would you also like to find greater success, happiness, and friendship, and make genuine supportive connections with others around the world pursuing your same dreams? Come join us at Break Diving and soon your story will be the next one you read about on this site!

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