Version control of R scripts using Github

GitHub is a web-based platform used primarily for version control and collaborative software development. It is built around Git, a version control system that you locally install on your computer that tracks changes in files, often used in coding projects (including R). GitHub allows developers to store, manage, and collaborate on code from anywhere in the world. it is recommended to use Github as a distributed Version Control System (dVCS), kind of "track changes for R scripts". It makes collaboration on a paper more easy, as everyone always has the latest version of the scripts of a project. Even when used without collaborators, it leads to a more structured way of script development, making it easier to go back to previous version when exploring a particular route that does not work in the end.  

Registering with Github and Github Copilot

For this,  signup for a personal Github account following these instructions. You can add multiple email addresses to your account, but make sure that you at least add your student.rug.nl  or rug.nl email adress to your account as one of the email addresses, otherwise students cannot be found by their supervisoers. As a user name, use something that reasonably resembles your names, like my username is hanolff, so preferably not theswearbear, darksoul69  etc. You will regret that later :) Also, GitHub may then not qualify you for free access to Github Copilot

Make sure that your name and personal address that you register with your Github account are the same as registered by the university in your enrollment as a student (those with a s-number) or employment (those with a p-number) information (see the Register for Github Copilot page).  And, upload your photo. This is needed for Github to classify your account as a free education account and get Github Copilot for free