What is Git?

What is Git?

Git is a free, open source tool that saves and manages different versions of your files and code. It is a version control system (VCS).

Why use it?

• Keep track of every change you make.
• Go back to any earlier version whenever you want.
• Undo mistakes without losing your work.
• Work on the same project with other people at the same time.

A bit of history

Git was created by Linus Torvalds in 2005, the same person who created the Linux operating system. It was built to handle huge projects with many developers, and today it is the most popular version control system in the world.

How it stores your work

• Git stores your files plus a full history of every change.
• Each saved change is called a commit.
• Your whole history lives in a hidden folder called .git inside your project.

Local and distributed

Git works on your own computer first. Every person working on a project has a complete copy of the history, so nobody is stuck waiting for someone else's computer.

TL;DR

• Git is a free version control system.
• It tracks changes and lets you undo mistakes.
• Created by Linus Torvalds in 2005.
• Every project copy contains the full history.