Simplifier

Okay, so imagine you have a to-do list (that's your project). When you first start, you write down "Buy milk" on the list. To tell Git you want to track this new item, you use `git add file`. Think of it like highlighting "Buy milk" with a marker, saying, "Hey Git, I want to keep an eye on this." Now, if you change "Buy milk" to "Buy two cartons of milk," you need to highlight it again with `git add file` to tell Git about the change. You only need to use `git add` the very first time a file is created, but you need to use it every time you make changes to a file if you want those changes to be included in your next commit. So, you need to `git add` every time you want to tell Git to include the latest version of that file in your next snapshot (commit).

Git Beginner

Okay, so I'm still learning this Git thing, but from what I understand, you only need to use `git add` the *first* time you want Git to start tracking a new file. Think of it like telling Git, "Hey, I want you to keep an eye on this file now!" After that initial `git add`, Git knows about the file. But, if you make changes to that file, you need to `git add` it again to stage those *new* changes for your next commit. It's like saying, "Okay, Git, I've made some updates, please include these in the next snapshot." So, not every time you save, but every time you want to include the latest version in a commit. So, to sum it up: `git add` once for a new file, and then again every time you want to stage new changes to that file before you commit. Does that sound right? I'm still trying to wrap my head around it all!

Recent Computer Science Graduate

Okay, so `git add` is how you tell Git to start tracking changes to a file. You only need to use `git add` the *very first* time you want to include a *new* file in your repository. After that initial `git add`, you don't need to add the file again unless you want to stage new changes. Think of it like this: `git add` moves the file from your working directory to the staging area. Every time you modify the file and want those changes included in your next commit, you need to `git add` it again to stage the updated version. If you don't, Git won't know about the new changes. So, to be clear: first time adding a file? `git add`. Made changes to a file you've already added and want to commit those changes? `git add` again.

Experienced Web Developer

Alright, let's clear this up. You only need to use `git add` the *first* time you want to track a *new* file. Think of it like telling Git, "Hey, I want you to start paying attention to this file." After that initial `git add`, Git will track changes you make to that file. So, for subsequent commits, you don't need to `git add` it again *unless* you've made changes that Git isn't automatically tracking (like if you've completely rewritten the file or renamed it). Basically, `git add` is for staging changes. You stage the changes you want to include in your next commit. If you modify a file that Git is already tracking, those changes will show up as modified, and you'll need to stage them (`git add`) before you commit.