Git - Version Control System Documentation
Git is a free and open-source distributed version control system designed to handle everything from
small to very large projects with speed and efficiency. It allows multiple developers to work
collaboratively on code while keeping track of every change made in the project.
Key Features of Git
• Distributed Version Control – Every developer has a local copy of the full project history.
• Branching and Merging – Lightweight branching for experimentation and collaboration.
• Data Integrity – Ensures content of files and history is cryptographically secure.
• Speed and Performance – Optimized for handling large repositories efficiently.
• Collaboration – Supports multiple workflows and integrates with platforms like GitHub, GitLab,
and Bitbucket.
Commonly Used Git Commands
• git init – Initialize a new Git repository.
• git clone – Clone an existing repository.
• git add – Add file changes to staging.
• git commit -m "message" – Commit changes with a message.
• git status – Show the working tree status.
• git log – View commit history.
• git branch – List, create, or delete branches.
• git checkout – Switch branches.
• git merge – Merge a branch into the current branch.
• git push / git pull – Push or fetch changes from a remote repository.
Common Use Cases
• Collaborative software development across teams.
• Tracking history and changes of source code.
• Managing multiple versions of a project via branching.
• Integrating with CI/CD pipelines for automation.
• Code review and collaboration using platforms like GitHub.
Conclusion
Git has become the de facto standard for version control in software development. Its distributed
nature, speed, and powerful branching model make it a vital tool for individual developers and large
teams alike. When combined with platforms like GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket, Git enables efficient
collaboration and DevOps integration.
