Git is a distributed version control system (VCS) designed to track changes in source code during software development. It allows multiple developers to collaborate on projects, manage changes efficiently, and maintain a complete history of all modifications made to the codebase.
Key Concepts of Git:
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Version Control:
- Git tracks changes to files over time, allowing developers to revert to previous versions, compare changes, and collaborate effectively.
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Distributed System:
- Every Git repository is a complete repository with a full history and version-tracking capabilities. Developers can work offline and independently before synchronizing changes with a central repository.
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Branching and Merging:
- Git encourages branching workflows, enabling developers to create separate branches for features, fixes, or experiments. Branches can be merged back into the main codebase (e.g., main or master branch) once changes are complete and reviewed.
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Remote Repositories:
- Git facilitates collaboration by allowing repositories to be hosted on remote servers (like GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket), where teams can push changes and pull updates from.
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Snapshots and Commits:
- Git stores data as snapshots of the entire repository at different points in time. Each snapshot corresponds to a commit, which records changes to files along with metadata (like author, timestamp).
Benefits of Using Git:
- Collaboration: Facilitates collaboration among developers working on the same project.
- Version Control: Tracks changes and maintains a history of modifications.
- Branching: Allows for experimentation and feature development without affecting the main codebase.
- Backup and Recovery: Provides redundancy and disaster recovery through distributed repositories.
- Open Source: Widely adopted and supported by a large community, with robust documentation and tooling.
