Development Essentials: README, Wireframes & Git Branches

What is the purpose of a README file?

A README file is basically a quick guide to your project. It's usually the first thing people see when they visit your repository or open your folder. The main point of it is to explain what your project is about, how to use it, and anything important someone should know if they want to try it or help work on it.

It might include things like:

What the project does
How to set it up or install it
Any special instructions or requirements
Who made it or how to contact the creator
A license or permission for how others can use it

So in short, a README is there to make your project easy to understand and use—for both users and developers.

What is the purpose of a wireframe?

A wireframe is basically a simple visual plan of a website or app. It shows where things like buttons, text, images, and menus will go—kind of like a rough draft before you start designing or building anything.
The main point of a wireframe is to figure out the layout and how users will move through the site. It helps everyone involved (designers, developers, clients) get on the same page about the structure and flow before putting in a lot of time and effort.
Think of it like sketching a floor plan before building a house—it's not about the colors or decoration yet, just where everything should be.

Discover wireframing basics

What is a branch in Git?

A branch in Git is like a separate copy of your project where you can safely make changes without messing up the main version.
Let's say you're adding a new feature or fixing something—rather than changing the main code right away, you create a branch, do your work there, and once you're happy with it, you can merge it back into the main project.
It helps keep things clear and makes it easier for teams to work on different things at the same time without getting in each other's way.
There are some provided HTML and CSS files you can use to get started. You can use these files as a starting point or create your own files from scratch.