What is Git?
Getting Started
Preview
Version control
Version control records every change to your files — who changed what, when, and why — and lets you go back to any point. Git is the industry standard.
Why it matters
- Never lose work: every version is saved
- Experiment freely: branches isolate changes
- Collaborate without overwriting teammates
- Explain history: every change has a message
Git vs GitHub
Git is the tool on your machine that tracks history. GitHub is a hosting service for Git repositories that enables sharing and collaboration.
Key terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Repository | A project tracked by Git |
| Commit | A saved snapshot of changes |
| Branch | A separate line of work |
| Remote | A copy hosted elsewhere (e.g. GitHub) |
| Pull request | A proposed merge for review |
Git works locally
Git tracks history on your machine first — commit as often as you like; nothing is shared until you git push.
Tip: The golden habit: commit small, commit often, with a clear message. History is only useful if it makes sense.
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