What is Git?

Git is a distributed version control system that tracks changes to files and coordinates work among multiple developers. Created by Linus Torvalds in 2005, it has become the standard tool for managing source code, used by nearly 95% of developers worldwide.

This guide covers how Git works, its core features and benefits, the difference between Git and GitHub, and how to get started with installation and basic commands.

What is Git

Git is a free, open-source distributed version control system that tracks changes in source code during software development. It allows multiple developers to work on the same project simultaneously without overwriting each other's contributions. Nearly 95% of developers worldwide rely on Git to manage their code, making it the most widely adopted version control system in the industry.

The term "distributed" means every developer has a complete copy of the project history on their local machine, not just the latest files. This differs from older centralized systems where a single server held everything.

• Version control system: Software that records changes to files over time, letting you recall specific versions later
• Repository: The storage location where Git tracks all changes to a project, often shortened to "repo"
• Distributed: Each developer's computer contains the full project history, providing redundancy and offline access

History and Origin of Git

Who Created Git and Why

Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux, built Git in 2005 after the Linux kernel development team lost access to their previous version control tool. Rather than adopt an existing alternative, Torvalds spent about two weeks creating something new. His priorities were speed, simple design, strong support for parallel development, and the ability to handle massive projects like the Linux kernel.

What Does Git Stand For

Git doesn't have an official acronym, though Torvalds has offered a few playful explanations over the years. He's suggested it means "global information tracker" when he's in a good mood, and a mild British slang term for a foolish person when he's not. The name reflects his self-deprecating humor about the project he created.

How Git Works

Distributed Version Control

In a centralized version control system, one server holds the entire project and developers check out individual files. Git takes a different approach. Every developer who clones a repository gets the complete history, every branch, and every commit that has ever been made.

This design offers practical advantages. You can commit changes, view history, and create branches without any network connection. If the central server fails, any developer's copy can restore the full project since each clone is essentially a complete backup.

Branching and Merging

A branch is an independent line of development within a project. Think of it as creating a copy of your code where you can experiment freely without affecting the main version. Developers typically create branches to work on new features, fix bugs, or test ideas.

Once the work on a branch is complete, you can merge those changes back into the main codebase. Git handles the process of combining different versions, though sometimes conflicts arise when two people have edited the same lines of code. In those cases, Git flags the conflict and asks you to resolve it manually.

Commits and Snapshots

Git saves your project as a series of snapshots rather than tracking individual file changes. Each commit captures the complete state of all files at that moment, identified by a unique 40-character checksum called a SHA-1 hash.

This snapshot approach makes it easy to jump back to any point in your project's history. Every commit also includes metadata like the author's name, email, timestamp, and a message describing what changed.

Key Features of Git SCM

Speed and Performance

Most Git operations happen locally on your machine, which makes them remarkably fast. Committing changes, switching branches, and viewing history all occur without waiting for network responses. You only connect to a remote server when pushing or pulling changes.

Data Integrity

Git uses checksums to verify the integrity of every file and commit. A checksum is a unique value generated from the contents of your data. If anything changes, even a single character, the checksum changes too. This mechanism ensures that corruption or tampering is immediately detectable.

Flexible Branching Model

Creating branches in Git is lightweight and nearly instantaneous because Git simply creates a pointer to a specific commit rather than copying files. This encourages experimentation since you can try new ideas without risking your stable code. Many teams adopt workflows where every new feature or bug fix gets its own branch.

Staging Area

The staging area, sometimes called the "index," sits between your working files and the repository. It lets you carefully select which changes to include in your next commit rather than committing everything at once.

For example, if you've made changes to five files but only want to commit two of them, you can stage just those two. This extra step provides control over how you organize your project history.

Benefits of Using Git

Improved Team Collaboration

Multiple developers can work on the same project simultaneously, each on their own branch. When someone finishes their work, Git's merging capabilities combine separate efforts into a unified codebase. This parallel workflow dramatically speeds up development compared to systems where only one person can edit a file at a time.

Complete Project History

Git maintains a detailed record of every change, including who made it, when, and why. This audit trail proves invaluable when you need to understand past decisions, track down when a bug was introduced, or revert to an earlier version.

Scalability for Any Project Size

Git handles projects of all sizes efficiently. Whether you're managing a personal side project with a few files or an enterprise codebase with thousands of contributors and millions of lines of code, performance remains consistent.

Offline Capabilities

Since your local machine holds the complete repository, you can work productively without internet access. Commit your changes locally, create branches, and review history while offline. Then push everything to the remote server when you're back online.

Git Bash and Git GUI

What is Git Bash

Git Bash is a command-line application for Windows that provides a Unix-like shell environment. It comes bundled with the Git for Windows installer and allows you to run Git commands just as you would on macOS or Linux. The "Bash" part refers to the Bourne Again Shell, a popular command-line interpreter.

What is Git GUI

Git GUI offers a visual interface for performing common Git operations. Instead of typing commands, you interact with menus, buttons, and visual representations of your repository. Many beginners find this approach more intuitive when first learning Git.

Command Line vs Visual Interface

Aspect	Git Bash	Git GUI
Interface	Text-based commands	Visual menus and buttons
Learning curve	Steeper initially	More intuitive for beginners
Functionality	Full Git capabilities	Common operations simplified
Best for	Advanced users, automation	Quick visual tasks, learning

Both tools accomplish the same underlying tasks. Many developers start with a GUI and gradually transition to the command line as they become more comfortable.

Essential Git Commands

git init

This command creates a new Git repository in your current directory, setting up the hidden .git folder that tracks all changes.

git clone

Use this to create a local copy of an existing remote repository, downloading all files, branches, and history.

git add

This stages your changes, marking them for inclusion in the next commit. You can stage individual files or entire directories.

git commit

Saves your staged changes to the repository with a descriptive message explaining what you did and why.

git push

Uploads your local commits to a remote repository, sharing your work with others on the team.

git pull

Downloads changes from a remote repository and integrates them into your local branch, keeping you in sync with teammates.

git status

Displays the current state of your working directory, showing which files have changed, what's staged, and what's untracked.

git branch

Lists existing branches, creates new ones, or deletes branches you no longer need.

Git vs GitHub

Understanding Git as Version Control

Git is the underlying technology, the software running on your computer that tracks changes and manages your project's history. It works entirely on your local machine and doesn't require any internet connection for most operations.

Understanding GitHub as a Platform

GitHub is a web-based hosting service for Git repositories. It stores your repositories online and adds collaboration features like pull requests, issue tracking, code reviews, and project management tools. Microsoft acquired GitHub in 2018.

How Git and GitHub Work Together

Developers use Git locally to manage versions, then push their work to GitHub for sharing and collaboration. While GitHub is the most popular hosting platform, alternatives like GitLab and Bitbucket offer similar functionality with different features and pricing models.

How to Install Git

1. Download from Git-SCM

Visit git-scm.com, the official website, to download the installer for your operating system. The site automatically detects whether you're on Windows, macOS, or Linux.

2. Install on Windows Mac or Linux

On Windows, run the downloaded installer and follow the setup wizard, accepting the default options if you're unsure. Mac users can install via Homebrew by running brew install git or by installing Xcode's Command Line Tools. Linux users typically use their distribution's package manager, such as apt install git on Ubuntu or yum install git on Fedora.

3. Verify Your Git Version

Open your terminal or Git Bash and type git --version to confirm the installation succeeded. You'll see output like "git version 2.43.0" indicating which version you have.

4. Configure Git Settings

Set your username and email using git config --global user.name "Your Name" and git config --global user.email "your@email.com". Git attaches this information to every commit you make, identifying you as the author.

Git Adoption Across Organizations

Git has become the industry standard for version control, extending beyond software development into documentation, configuration management, and collaborative projects. Understanding Git is increasingly valuable for HR professionals and business leaders evaluating technical teams or managing digital transformation initiatives.

Building Technical Skills with Version Control

Learning Git represents a key professional development milestone for technical roles. Organizations that invest in employee skill-building create more adaptable and effective teams capable of adopting modern development practices.

Tip: Platforms like Engagedly help organizations track learning goals, support skill development, and foster a culture of continuous growth, including the technical competencies that drive business outcomes. Book a demo to see how Engagedly supports workforce development.

FAQs about Git

Is Git free to use?

Yes, Git is completely free and open-source software released under the GNU General Public License. Anyone can download, use, and modify it without licensing fees.

What programming languages work with Git?

Git is language-agnostic and works with any programming language or file type. Whether you're writing Python, JavaScript, Java, or any other language, Git tracks changes the same way.

Do I need coding experience to use Git?

While developers primarily use Git, anyone can learn basic operations for tracking document changes or collaborating on text-based projects. Technical writers, data analysts, and researchers often use Git for version control.

Can Git be used for non-code projects?

Git effectively tracks changes in any text-based files, making it useful for documentation, configuration files, and collaborative writing. However, it's less efficient for large binary files like images or videos.

What is the difference between Git and Git-SCM?

They refer to the same tool. Git-SCM, which stands for Source Code Management, is simply the name of the official website where the Git project is maintained and distributed.