【My Study Note】What is Git and GitHub?
What is Git and GitHub?
Have you ever opened an app on your phone and received a prompt to update to a new version? These prompts most likely direct you towards an app store where you then download the latest version. As you download the new version, you might notice a new layout, button, or piece of functionality.
In software and web development, developers use version control to track the differences between versions. A popular method of tracking versions is the use of version control technologies, like Git and GitHub.
This article is about:
- The differences between Git and GitHub
- How web developers make use of Git and GitHub
- Explore the benefits and advantages of Git and GitHub
Git
Git is a version control system designed to help users keep track of changes to files within their projects. Git was designed to fix the problem that it’s created, Linus Torvalds was having with managing the huge challenge of keeping track of all changes to the kernel, the operating system for Linux.
Linux has thousands of contributors who commit changes and updates daily. Git was designed to help with the challenge of tracking all these changes and updates. As well as helping to keep track of changes, Git was also designed to tackle some of the shortcomings of other version control systems.
The benefits that Git offers over similar systems
- Better Speed and Performance
- Reliability
- Free and Open Source Access
- Accessible syntax
GitHub
GitHub is a Cloud-based hosting service that lets you manage Git repositories from a user interface. A Git repository is used to track all changes to files in a specific folder, and keep a history of all those changes.
It incorporates Git version control features and extends these by providing its own features on top.
Some of the most common features
- Access Control
- Pull Requests
- Automation
It’s also important to point out that GitHub is very popular among web developers. It’s like a social network. For example, projects can be private or public.
Users on GitHub have their own profiles which other users can follow. Public projects can accept code contributions from anyone across the globe.
It also includes multiple features outside of its core development tools like documentation, ticketing, and project features.