Getting started with Git
Git Going
© Lead Image © magiceyes, 123RF.com
Git is more than a version control system. We'll show you how to get started with this powerful creation of Linus Torvalds and the kernel developers.
What is Git? A nightmare? An idiot? It was Monty Python's Flying Circus that made the word, and later the project, well-known. After the Vikings sang "Spam, Spam, Spam," another sketch, this time about a Mr. and Mrs. Git, went viral. But it was not just the idiot that inspired Linus Torvalds to choose the three-letter word for his version control and source code management system [1].
Git is close to "get" and follows the tradition of short and easy-to-remember, but pretty universal, Unix commands. Torvalds always meant Git to be simple, stupid, contemptible, and despicable. Take your own pick from the dictionary of slang to find the dominant meaning. Some definitions call Git a Global Information Tracker; others say it's just a combination of curse words ("goddamn idiotic truckload of s*!"); however, these are rumors and probably only apply when it breaks.
Another Finnish Invention
In 2005 BitKeeper, the Linux Kernel developers' favorite source code management system, changed its license, and thus, the crew around Linus had to find an alternative. When he couldn't find another tool that met his standards, Linus decided to create a new code management solution from scratch. The goals for Git were equally simple: It should be fast, have a simple design, and have strong support for non-linear development (i.e., thousands of parallel branches). Linus wanted a fully distributed system that could handle very large projects – like the Linux kernel.
[...]
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
-
Red Hat Releases RHEL 10 Early
Red Hat quietly rolled out the official release of RHEL 10.0 a bit early.
-
openSUSE Joins End of 10
openSUSE has decided to not only join the End of 10 movement but it also will no longer support the Deepin Desktop Environment.
-
New Version of Flatpak Released
Flatpak 1.16.1 is now available as the latest, stable version with various improvements.
-
IBM Announces Powerhouse Linux Server
IBM has unleashed a seriously powerful Linux server with the LinuxONE Emperor 5.
-
Plasma Ends LTS Releases
The KDE Plasma development team is doing away with the LTS releases for a good reason.
-
Arch Linux Available for Windows Subsystem for Linux
If you've ever wanted to use a rolling release distribution with WSL, now's your chance.
-
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.