Get started with Git
Get Ready
Git comes up all the time in discussions of Linux, but in our new world of repositories and package managers, many users are still unfamiliar with it. Read on to get started with this powerful version control environment.
Code and version management used to be difficult and risky. Users were never quite sure whether they would keep or lose their last changes when switching to a different development branch. Attempts to merge the results of hours of work could sometimes lead to unexpected results.
Before Git [1] became the de facto standard, CVS [2] was the most widely used version management system. In CVS, all changes must be uploaded to a central server and the user needs a functioning network connection. In addition, CVS only saves the individual changes and never a complete version of the code. When merging the work of two developers, branching can lead to conflict situations that can be very time consuming to resolve. Other systems such as Subversion (svn) [3] or Mercurial (hg) [4] brought about significant improvements, but at the end of the day, Git worked best and is the most widely accepted option.
Git offers a revolutionary, decentralized approach: mirroring the entire repository, including the complete history of all files, on the computers of all users. At the same time, Git always creates complete snapshots of the entire repository.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.