We explain Git and GitHub!

  • Productivity

01/12/2023

Sarah

Sarah

Backend Developer

At MV Studio, Git and GitHub are indispensable tools for the smooth operation of our work. We can honestly say we can’t go a day without them. But why? What’s the difference between Git and GitHub? How do they work? Let us explain everything!

What is Git?

Don’t mix them up! No, Git and GitHub are not the same thing.

“Git is a version control tool, while GitHub is an online platform that, among other things, allows you to host Git repositories.”

Still not clear? Let’s dive deeper!

Git is a version control software for developers that allows you to store a collection of files while preserving the history of all the changes made to them. This enables developers to keep track of what has been done and revert to a previous state if they decide to undo some of the changes. It greatly simplifies error correction during development. Developers can coordinate their workflow, facilitating non-linear development and working conditions.

Additionally, being able to view all changes in each version helps team members stay updated on what has been completed and what still needs to be done. Git uses a system of “pushing” and “pulling” changes to and from installations on other computers. This is called a “distributed version control system,” and it allows multiple developers to work on the same project.

It’s also the most widely used version control system in the world, with 12 million users. Any self-respecting developer should know and master the basics of Git! As for its usage, Git is multi-platform (Mac, Linux, Windows) and operates in two modes: the Terminal (via command line) or the Graphical Interface.

And GitHub?

GitHub is an online service that allows you to host code repositories in the cloud, enabling multiple developers to work on the same project and see each other’s changes in real-time. It facilitates collaboration using Git. GitHub repositories are publicly accessible. Developers around the world can interact with and contribute to each other’s code.

In the language of version control systems, copying all the files of a project and their version located on the central server is called a repository. Git also refers to this as a “repository.”

This makes GitHub a networking site for web professionals. For open projects, it is free, but it’s possible to make your projects private with a paid plan.

It offers project organization and management services. You can assign tasks to individuals or groups, set permissions, define collaborators’ roles, and use comments.

The major services GitHub offers are: sharing source code with other developers, reporting and managing bugs via issues, sharing code snippets, etc.

To summarize the difference between the two:

  • Git is a local software that allows developers to instantly save their projects over time.
  • GitHub is a web platform that integrates Git’s version control features to enable collaborative use. It also includes project and team management features, as well as networking and social coding capabilities.
  • Git is open-source software (free to use, modify, and distribute), while GitHub is owned by Microsoft.

To recap: Git is a version control software, while GitHub is an online hosting service for Git repositories that acts as a central server for these repositories.

If you’re learning or planning to learn the profession of a developer, you should know the basics of Git and GitHub as soon as possible. Not only will it make your life easier, but your future employer will likely ask you to show your GitHub profile during your job interview.

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