Git vs. Github: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to version control systems, Git and Github are two big players in the game. But what exactly is the difference between these two? In this article, we’ll explore the key differences between Git and Github and how they relate to each other.

What is Git?

Git is a distributed version control system designed to handle small to very large projects with speed and efficiency. It was created by Linus Torvalds in 2005 and is now maintained by a large community of developers.

So, what exactly does Git do? In short, Git tracks changes to files over time. In other words, it keeps a record of every change that has been made to a file, allowing you to view previous versions, revert changes, and collaborate with other developers on the same file.

Git uses a decentralized architecture, meaning that every user has a local copy of the repository, as well as the complete history of changes. This allows for faster, more efficient development, as developers can work on changes independently and then merge them back into the main codebase.

What is Github?

Github is a web-based hosting service for Git repositories. It was founded in 2008 and has quickly become one of the most popular platforms for hosting Git repositories.

While Git provides the functionality for version control and collaboration, Github provides a graphical user interface (GUI) that makes it easier to manage repositories and collaborate with others.

Some key features of Github include:

• Issue tracking: Allows users to create and track issues related to a particular repository.
• Pull requests: Allows users to suggest changes to a repository and have them reviewed by others before being merged into the main codebase.
• Collaboration tools: Github provides a number of tools for collaborating with other developers on a repository, such as code reviews and project boards.

What’s the Difference?

Now that we have a better understanding of what Git and Github are, let’s take a closer look at the differences between the two.

Functionality

The main difference between Git and Github is the functionality they provide. Git is a version control system, while Github is a platform for hosting Git repositories and providing collaboration tools.

While Git provides the basic functionality for version control and collaboration, Github takes it a step further by providing a user-friendly interface, issue tracking, and pull requests. These features make it easier for developers to work together and manage their codebase.

Access

Another key difference between Git and Github is access. Git is a command-line tool that is installed on your local machine. This means that you have complete control over your Git repository, including the ability to create, modify, and delete files.

Github, on the other hand, is a web-based platform that requires an internet connection to access. While Github provides a number of useful features, including a graphical user interface and collaboration tools, it also means that your code is hosted on a third-party platform.

Cost

Finally, there is a difference in cost between Git and Github. Git itself is free and open-source, meaning that there are no costs associated with using it.

Github, however, offers a number of pricing plans, depending on your needs. While there is a free plan that allows for unlimited public repositories, you’ll need to pay for additional features, such as private repositories and team collaboration tools.

Conclusion

In summary, Git and Github are two different tools that serve different purposes. Git is a version control system that tracks changes to files over time, while Github is a platform for hosting Git repositories and providing collaboration tools.

While both tools have their own strengths and weaknesses, what’s important is finding the right tool for your particular needs. Whether you’re an individual developer working on a small project or part of a large team developing complex software, Git and Github offer the functionality and collaboration tools to help you succeed.