Git

Definition

Git is a distributed version control system designed to track changes in source code during software development. It allows multiple developers to work on a project simultaneously, keeping a history of changes and enabling collaboration through branching and merging features. With Git, users can easily revert to previous versions of code, making it a crucial tool for maintaining the integrity of projects over time.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Git was created by Linus Torvalds in 2005 to support the development of the Linux kernel.
2. One of Git's main advantages is its speed; it performs most operations locally, making them faster compared to centralized systems.
3. Git uses a snapshot model instead of a delta model, meaning it saves the state of the entire file every time a change is made, rather than just storing differences.
4. The 'commit' command is used to save changes in Git, allowing developers to write messages that describe their modifications.
5. Git supports various workflows such as feature branching and pull requests, making it adaptable for different project management styles.

Review Questions

• How does Git facilitate collaboration among multiple developers working on the same project?
  • Git facilitates collaboration through its distributed nature and features like branching and merging. Each developer can work on their own copy of the repository, making changes independently without affecting others. When they are ready, they can merge their changes back into the main branch, allowing for seamless integration of contributions from different team members while maintaining a complete history of all modifications.
• Discuss the advantages of using Git over centralized version control systems.
  • Using Git offers several advantages over centralized version control systems. First, because Git is distributed, every developer has a complete copy of the project repository, including its history, which enhances speed and allows offline work. Additionally, Git's branching capabilities enable developers to experiment with new features without disrupting the main codebase. This leads to better project organization and minimizes conflicts during collaboration.
• Evaluate how Git's snapshot model impacts the way developers manage their code changes compared to other version control systems.
  • Git's snapshot model allows developers to manage their code changes more efficiently compared to other version control systems that often rely on recording differences or deltas. By saving the entire state of files at each commit, developers can quickly revert to previous versions without worrying about complex delta calculations. This model also simplifies tracking the history of changes and makes it easier to understand how and why specific changes were made over time, ultimately leading to improved code quality and easier collaboration.

Related terms

Version Control:

A system that records changes to files or sets of files over time, allowing users to recall specific versions later.

Repository: A storage location where all the files for a project, along with their version history, are stored.

Branching:

A feature in Git that allows users to create independent lines of development within a repository, enabling experimentation without affecting the main codebase.