What are GitHub pull requests

GitHub Pull Requests are a way for developers to propose changes to a project's codebase, allowing others to review and discuss the proposed modifications before they are merged into the main branch. The primary advantage of pull requests is that they facilitate code reviews, ensuring that new features or fixes meet organizational guidelines and align with the overall architectural vision. Pull requests can be opened by anyone who has made changes to a project's codebase on a separate branch, and reviewers are typically team members experienced in the relevant area of the code. GitHub offers both free and paid plans, with the free version allowing users to create personal public and private repositories, as well as open issues, pull requests, and projects. Branches in GitHub allow developers to isolate their work without affecting other branches, making it easy to switch between different branches or create new ones. Forking a repository on GitHub creates a copy of the original project, enabling users to make changes and propose them to the owner or use the forked project as a starting point for their own ideas. Comparing two branches in GitHub can be done by adding "/compare" at the end of the URL or through opening a pull request. Protected branches on GitHub allow administrators to enforce certain requirements, such as pull request reviews and status checks before merging, ensuring that only verified commits are pushed and maintaining linear history for easier change reversals.