How to use other people's code on github

GitHub is a code hosting and version control platform, a core platform for the open source community. Many developers share and obtain information through GitHub, learn and understand the construction and implementation skills of other developers, contribute and improve their skills. GitHub has many uses, and when using it, how you use other people's code is very important. Below I'll briefly describe some ways to use other people's code.

1. Search GitHub

First, you need to use the GitHub search engine. By searching, you can find some code you need. When you're done searching, you'll get a list of items. In this list you will see many items including Master? Branch, description and readme files. For each project, you should carefully review the readme file (if it exists), as there may be useful documentation and information there.

2. Clone the repository

When you decide to use a code base, you need to clone (that is, copy) it to your local machine. You can do this using a Git client or a Git GUI application. This will completely clone the repository to your machine and create a directory with the same name as the repository in your local directory.

3. Perform an install or compile

Sometimes a code base may contain a binary or simply run a script to run, but more often than not, you need a "build process ” to build the code into an executable file. To complete this process, you need to understand the building steps of the corresponding code. If the code base contains a makefile or some build scripts, you can run these scripts to build the executable program. In other cases, you need to install specific development tools first, such as compilers, packaging tools, and dependencies.

4. Understand the project structure

It is also important to understand the project structure when viewing and using other people's code. It helps you determine the purpose of every file and directory in your code base. You may see some code written in different branches or manage different codes in a certain directory. Sometimes, you need to use different parts of the code base without downloading the entire code base. Being familiar with the project structure can help you quickly locate the code you need.

5. Understand the terms of use

Before using other people’s code, you need to know the code’s terms of use. Most code libraries will clearly mark the terms (such as MIT or GPL copyright). If the code library does not mark the terms of use, you need to consider the copyright ownership and use of the code. If you have any questions, you can usually contact the code author directly for more information.

In short, the GitHub repository is a gold mine for developers. The code has been shared and updated by developers, project teams, and organizations. If you are a developer or want to start a project, GitHub is a must-learn platform. By using these techniques on a structured code base, you can make better use of other people's code and avoid fumbling and wasting time.

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