Git is a distributed version control system that tracks changes to files so developers can collaborate effectively. It allows teams to manage history, branch safely, and merge work from multiple contributors. Every Git repository contains a complete history, enabling developers to revert, inspect, or experiment without fear of losing progress. Git has become the standard tooling for software collaboration, powering platforms like GitHub and GitLab. Because Git is distributed, each clone contains the entire project history, making operations fast and resilient. Git enables workflows that support experimentation while maintaining a stable main branch.
how it works
Git stores content as snapshots and references them using hashes. Developers stage changes, commit them, and push updates to remote repositories. Branches allow separate lines of development for features or fixes. Merging combines work from different branches, while rebasing rewrites commit history. Git integrates with CI/CD systems, which trigger builds and tests on changes. Tools built on top of Git provide graphical interfaces, code reviews, and automation. Understanding Git helps developers avoid conflicts, recover lost changes, and maintain clean project history.