What Is Version Control?
Have you ever saved multiple copies of a document — "report_v1.doc", "report_v2_final.doc", "report_v2_final_ACTUAL.doc"? Version control solves this chaos for software projects, and it's fundamental to how professional developers work.
The Problem
Without version control, teams face constant challenges:
- Which version of the code is correct?
- Who changed what, and when?
- How do we undo a mistake from last week?
- How do multiple people edit the same files without overwriting each other's work?
These problems multiply as projects grow. A solo developer might manage with careful file naming, but teams need a systematic solution.
The Solution: Track Every Change
Version control systems record every change made to your files, creating a complete history. Think of it like Google Docs revision history, but for entire projects — every file, every folder, every change.
The most widely used version control system is Git. Git tracks changes locally on your computer and can synchronize with remote servers like GitHub for backup and collaboration.
Key Concepts
Commits — A commit is a snapshot of your project at a specific moment. Each commit records what changed, who made the change, and when. You can think of commits like save points in a video game — you can always return to any previous save.
History — The sequence of commits forms your project's history. You can see exactly how the project evolved, compare different versions, and understand why changes were made.
Branching — Branches let you work on different versions of your project simultaneously. You might have one branch for the stable version users see and another branch where you're developing new features. This keeps experimental work separate from working code.
Why It Matters
Version control provides a safety net. Made a mistake? Revert to a previous commit. Need to see what the code looked like last month? Check the history. Want to experiment without breaking anything? Create a branch.
For collaboration, version control is essential. Multiple developers can work on the same project, and the system helps merge their changes together intelligently.
GitHub and Remote Hosting
GitHub is a popular platform that hosts Git repositories online. It provides backup, collaboration features, and a way to share your work publicly or privately. Most open-source projects live on GitHub.
You'll practice using Git hands-on in Track 2, where you'll learn the actual commands and workflows.