GitHub 101.0: cloning a repository on my work machine

(This has been superceded by GitHub 101.1)

Even better than a paragraph a day, a web app project that my son invited me to work on. He started me off with 2 tasks:

1. Make a repository on GitHub
2. Clone the repository to my work machine

So I haven't used GitHub, so first step was auditing the Coursera Introduction to Git and Github.  In this is 16 hour course you will learn to do the following steps. (But, yeah, I didn't take the class as my 'first step'. I went directly to Github, signed up and proceeded to do the steps below.  Then I realized that I really didn't know how Github works. So I'm taking the class : )

Next step, create a New repository by going to the upper right hand corner (if you're just starting you'll receive a prompt to create a repository).

So Task 1 was complete.

Task 2 turned out to be more complicated for me because I didn't have xcode installed.  So, if you are working on a Mac, create your AppleID, and download Xcode. 

I ran into an error when I tried to do the cloning so I had to install the Command Line Tools (reboot your computer after doing the install).

The cloning requires you to sign in from the terminal app and you'll need to create a GitHub personal access token.  

With these precursor steps taken care of, the cloning process was simple. Open the repository you want top clone, go to the "< > Code" drop down and get a copy of the HTTPS url.

Open the terminal window on your computer and enter:

$ git clone <HTTPS url>

You'll be prompted to enter your GitHub user name. Insert a copy of your personal access token when you're prompted for your password. 

Here is a link to the GitHub Cloning a Repository