Github: Create & sync fork

A central function in Github is "forking", with which you can contribute to existing development projects.

Github: What is a fork?

The fork is a split from the source code tree of a project, on which you can make your own changes. The functionality and quality of the core source code is not affected. The fork is a local copy where you can experiment with the code as if you were in a secure environment. If you have completed your change and want to incorporate it into the project in question, use a "pull request".

Create a fork in Github

With the following short steps you create a fork on gibthub:

1. Navigate to the desired source code project you want to participate in.
2. After successful login you can now click on the "Fork" button.
3. Github now creates a copy of the relevant repository on the server.
4. You must then create a local copy of the project on your computer. To do this, click the "Clone in Desktop" button so that you can edit the project in the Github Desktop.
5. Select the "Launch Github Desktop" option if the program has not yet started. Then select a directory on your computer where the source code is to be saved.
6. You can now edit and test the source code on your computer. For example, you can use the free Atom as an editor or any other code-compatible editor.

Finally: Offer fork to others

If you are satisfied with your changes, you can offer them to the project owners on github.

1. In the Github Desktop click on "Changes".
2. Under "Uncommitted Changes" you should now write a short summary of all the changes you have just made so that your changes can be assigned and checked.
3. If you now want to upload all changes to the project, click on "Sync". Your code changes will land on the github server. However, they still remain in their fork, i.e. their branch of the project source code.
4. Finally, go to the github.com website and log in. Click on "Compare and Pull Request".
5. You will now see a discussion page describing your package of changes. Here you should convincingly explain why and how the project can benefit from your improvements.
6. Then click on "Send Pull Request" and offer your improvements to the project in question.
7. The project owners will now review your proposal and either accept it or give it back to you for clarification.

Here we present a Windows client for the open source platform Github.