git

Git is a distributed version control system designed to track changes to source code and collaborate on software projects. It was created by Linus Torvalds in 2005 to support kernel development and has since become the de facto standard for version control.

Git stores data as snapshots within a directed acyclic graph of commits. Each object is identified by a cryptographic hash (historically SHA-1), providing data integrity. The main object types are blobs (file data), trees (directories), commits (snapshots with metadata and parent links), and tags. The system emphasizes speed and supports nonlinear workflows through lightweight branching and merging.

A working directory contains the project files. A staging area, or index, holds the changes to be included in the next commit. Typical commands include git init or git clone to start a repository, git add to stage changes, git commit to record a snapshot, and git status to view state. Branching is inexpensive; git branch, git checkout, and git merge or git rebase help manage integration of changes. Remote repositories enable collaboration via git push and git pull or git fetch.

Git has a large ecosystem and is commonly used with hosting services such as GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket. It is licensed under the GNU General Public License version 2 or later. Its design emphasizes data integrity, fast operations, and distributed workflows, making it suitable for both individual use and large-scale projects.