Version Control with Git
Git tracks changes and lets teams collaborate.
About this topic
Version control tracks changes to files over time so you can see what changed, who changed it and go back to an earlier version. Git is the most widely used system, and it is distributed: every developer has a full copy of the project history on their computer. Services like GitHub host shared repositories.
The basic workflow is to edit files, stage them with git add, record a snapshot with git commit and a short message, and share with git push and git pull. Branches let you work on a new feature separately from the main line of code, then combine the work with a merge. If two people change the same lines, a merge conflict occurs and must be resolved by hand.
Imagine writing a group report: instead of files named final2 and really_final, Git keeps every saved version with notes. Teams use it to review each others work and to undo mistakes safely. A common misconception is that Git and GitHub are the same; Git is the tool and GitHub is a website that hosts it. Commit often with clear messages, and never store passwords in a repository.
Key ideas
- Commits are snapshots
- Branches and merges
- GitHub hosts repositories
Quick check
Use cases: where Version Control with Git helps
- Homework: review the key idea behind Version Control with Git before you start a problem set.
- Exam revision: use the quick check to test whether you can recall Version Control with Git without notes.
- Visual learning: play with the interactive lab to see how Version Control with Git changes when you adjust its inputs.
- Teaching a friend: explain Version Control with Git in your own words, then compare your version with the key ideas.
Computing ideas run phones, search engines, games and the wider internet.
Frequently asked questions
What is Version Control with Git?
Git tracks changes and lets teams collaborate.
What will I learn in Version Control with Git?
Commits are snapshots. Branches and merges. GitHub hosts repositories.
Is Version Control with Git part of Computer Science?
Yes. It is one of 80 Computer Science topics on LearnViz HighSchoolEdu, with 3 key ideas, a live animation and a quick check.
Does the Version Control with Git lab work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The animation resizes to fit your screen and supports touch, so you can drag, tap and slide with your finger.
How should I study Version Control with Git?
Read the summary and key ideas first, play with the interactive lab to see the idea in motion, then answer the quick check. If you get a question wrong, go back to the key idea it tests.
Do I need an account, and is my progress saved?
No account is needed. Marking a topic as learned is saved in your own browser, so it stays on that device and is not sent to a server.