Build Your Own Personal Portfolio Web Site and Space Arcade Game with Help of GitHub

GitHub can become your best ally if you want to get started in the fascinating world of coding. In this article, I’ll give you a preview of the keys to creating a personal portfolio website and a space arcade game.

In addition, I recommend one of my books, which will help you become a GitHub expert in just a few days.

Start with Your Personal Portfolio

Why Start with a Portfolio?

A personal portfolio is a great way to display your skills, share your projects, and show potential employers or collaborators what you can do. In the book, I will guide you through creating a portfolio using two methods: a simple README file and a full-featured website built with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Method 1: Create a Portfolio Using a README File

A README file is a quick and easy way to create an online presence. Here’s how you can get started:

1. Create a New Repository
   1. Head to GitHub, click the “+” icon, and choose “New repository.”
   2. Name it `your-github-username ` to host it as a website.
2. Add Your README
   1. While creating your repository, click “Add a README file”. This option will create new file named `README.md`.
   2. There, you will be able to write a brief introduction, list your skills, and link to your projects.
3. Deploy as GitHub Pages
   1. Now you can deploy your portfolio as a live web page using this cool option from GitHub named GitHub Pages.
   2. Go to “Settings,” scroll down to “Pages,” and select the main branch. Click “Save,” and your portfolio is live!

Method 2: Build a Real-World Web Page with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

For a more advanced portfolio, we’ll guide you step-by-step to build a complete website using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

1. Set Up Your Repository:
   1. Just like before, create a repository named `your-github-username `.
2. Create Your HTML File
   1. Add a new file named `index.html` to start building your web page. This file will be the backbone of your portfolio. 
3. Add Some Style with CSS
   1. Create a file named `styles.css` and link it to your HTML. This file will contain all your styling rules to make your website look great.
4. Enhance with JavaScript
   1. Add interactivity to your site with JavaScript by creating a file named `script.js`. You’ll learn how to make your website dynamic and engaging.
5. Deploy Your Website
   1. Again, use GitHub Pages to host your website. Now, you have a full-featured portfolio online that showcases not only your projects but also your web development skills.

Learn GitHub by Building a Space Arcade Game

After setting up your portfolio, you’ll dive into an even more exciting project: building a space arcade game! This project will teach you how to handle version control, manage code changes, and collaborate with others—all while having fun creating a game.

1. Fork the Starter
   1. Project The book provides a starter project for the game. Fork the repository to start your version.
2. Use Branches to Add Features
   1. Create a new branch to add new game features like enemy ships or scoring mechanisms. This helps you keep changes organized without affecting the main code.
3. Commit Your Changes and Make a Pull Request
   1. When you’re satisfied with your new feature, commit your changes and create a pull request to merge them into the main game.

Use GitHub Copilot to Improve Your Code

Throughout these projects, you’ll also learn to use GitHub Copilot, an AI-powered coding assistant that helps you write better code faster:

• Get Code Suggestions
  • Copilot provides real-time suggestions as you write code, whether you’re styling your portfolio or building your game.
• Improve Your Skills
  • It helps you understand coding patterns, write clean code, and even suggests ways to optimize your scripts.
• Write Unit Tests
  • Learn how Copilot can help you create tests for your code, ensuring it works correctly.

A Step-by-Step Approach for Young Coders

If you’re an aspiring coder looking to make your mark, my new book, GitHub for Next-Generation <Coders>, is designed just for you! This book teaches you how to use GitHub while building two exciting projects: a personal portfolio website and a space arcade game. By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of GitHub and the skills to create and showcase your coding work online.

This book is packed with practical examples, step-by-step guides, and plenty of screenshots to help you follow along. You’ll not only learn GitHub but also develop real-world coding skills in web development and game creation.

Why These Skills Matter?

Knowing how to use GitHub, create web content, and collaborate on projects are key skills for any aspiring developer. With this book, you’ll gain hands-on experience in a way that’s fun, engaging, and practical. By the end, you’ll have your own portfolio website and a playable game, all hosted on GitHub Pages for the world to see!

Grab your copy of GitHub for Next-Generation <Coders> and start building your projects. Learn by doing, and watch your skills grow as you create, collaborate, and showcase your work to the world!

Packt Publishing:
GitHub for Next-Generation Coders | Cloud & Networking | eBook (packtpub.com)

Amazon:

https://a.co/d/er7sliR

GitHub Repository:
PacktPublishing/GitHub-for-Next-Generation-Coders: GitHub for Next-Generation Coders, published by Packt