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Útgáfuumsjónarkerfi, often translated as version control system or VCS, is a software tool that helps manage changes to files over time. It allows developers to track modifications, revert to previous versions, and collaborate on projects more effectively. The primary function of a VCS is to record snapshots of project files, enabling users to see who made what changes, when, and why. This historical record is crucial for debugging, understanding project evolution, and recovering from errors.

Version control systems operate by creating a repository, which is a central database storing all the project's files and their revision history. When a user makes changes, they can "commit" these changes to the repository, creating a new version. Different types of VCS exist, including centralized and distributed systems. Centralized systems have a single server where all versions are stored, while distributed systems allow each user to have a full copy of the repository, offering greater redundancy and flexibility.

Popular examples of version control systems include Git, Subversion (SVN), and Mercurial. Git is currently the most widely adopted due to its speed, flexibility, and robust feature set, particularly its distributed nature. These systems are fundamental to modern software development workflows, facilitating teamwork, enabling complex branching and merging strategies, and ensuring the integrity of codebases. They are indispensable for projects of any significant size or complexity.