What is Git?

Git is an open-source programming tool that allows users to effortlessly track the changes made during the early stages of software development. It allows individual programs to keep a record of the changes that they have made to easily restore or back-up earlier versions of their code and it allows teams of developers to record the changes that individual members make to a file or program. Designed to support distributed non-linear workflow, Git allows programmers to create non-linear histories and branched records of how a program has been developed over its time in Git.It is world’s most commonly used application for documenting and archiving version histories of source code with Git. Gain proficiency as a software developer, enhance your coding efficiency, and become a desirable candidate for various careers such as Front End Developer, Software Engineer, and Software Project Manager.

Developed in 2005 for Linux, Git has since become one of the most commonly used distributed version control software. In 2022, nearly 94% of computer programmers report using Git as a vital part of their regular programming activities. This means that learning Git is an important skill for anyone hoping to undertake collaborative development projects, particularly in open-source communities where it is expected that many development histories will be documented using Git.

What Can You Do with Git?

Git can be used to ensure that you have a detailed record of all the changes being made to a file of code. Individual users can take advantage of this documentation to quickly restore or reconstruct prior versions of code or to see where specific changes were made if those changes came with unintended consequences. Groups of developers can use Git to collaborate more effectively on a shared file as the system will keep track of all the changes made independently, providing a stable record of how each developer impacted the file over time.

In addition, thanks to the prevalence of Git Hub, learning Git will significantly expand a developer’s ability to store and share their software. Since each instance of Git on a computer stores its own directory and history, the documentation on your programs is not operating at the whims of an external source or mainframe, making the histories far more stable. In addition, GitHub lets users publish and share code effortlessly, making community-driven collaboration all the more productive. Git and GitHub help fuel community-driven software development, and learning how to use these tools will ensure that you, too, can participate in these projects.

Common Professional Uses for Git

Recent self-reporting surveys suggest that 95% of all developers and programmers utilize Git to document their code. In addition, GitHub has nearly 83 million users, making it an important tool for professional web development collaboration projects. However, since Git is a documentation tool, it doesn’t allow users to produce anything on its own. This means that no career path will strictly utilize Git. Rather, they will use Git to improve their workflow as web and software developers. A few careers that commonly make use of Git include:

Front End Developer: Front End Developers are responsible for building the client-facing aspects of a web application or webpage, such as interactive elements, visual designs, and e-commerce applications. They will use Git to collaborate with other developers, as most modern web applications are built by teams of developers rather than by individuals. In addition, many Front End Developers will be tasked with maintaining webpages and applications, meaning that they will use Git to track changes made if they need to return to a prior version of their code.

Software Engineer: Software Engineers, as the name implies, build software and other applications using a wide array of coding languages. Given the ubiquitous nature of computers in our daily lives, Software Engineers work in virtually every field. Software Engineers typically work in a deadline-focused environment, ensuring that projects are completed as quickly as is reasonable. They will use programs like Git to ensure their work is as efficient as possible. Unlike Web Developers, Software Engineers will be tasked with learning many different coding languages, but the scope of their projects will be more expansive.

Software Project Manager: Most software development projects, as well as most web development projects, are the work of multiple teams of dozens to hundreds of designers and developers working together to complete a project. These teams will be managed and overseen by Software Project Managers who work to ensure that the project runs smoothly and the project is delivered on time. They will utilize Git as a vital efficiency tool, ensuring that multiple, nonlinear histories of their work is documented. They will also be tasked with coordinating the human element of the design process.

Improve Your Coding Efficiency

Since Git is itself an efficiency tool, even amateur programs will be able to take advantage of it reasonably quickly. Git lets users build an archive of their work and make changes more quickly and easily since everything is documented. It also lets users start the process of shared source code collaboration by allowing teams of developers to work with each other more efficiently across multiple devices. 

While learning Git won’t be a substitute for the complex process of learning to code, it will significantly improve your ability to work with complex projects and source codes early on in your coding training. This will ensure that students are on track as they advance in their training since learning efficiency tools can be as important as learning fundamentals, particularly when the tool sees as much use as Git.

Archive Data

Git is also a very popular tool for archiving source code. The development of Git prioritized data security as an essential design feature and the protections surrounding Git have only improved over the last decade and a half. This means that learning Git will help keep your code protected from outside parties, which can be incredibly important for high-profile projects. Plus, Git tracks all changes made, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally losing a version of the program because of human error.

Git is also a distributed system, meaning that every instance of Git running on a separate machine keeps its own archive and directory. This means that all of the version histories are stored locally and can be accessed from that device, ensuring that your data history isn’t subject to the maintenance of a database somewhere else that your machine needs to access. All of your work is directly stored within the Git repository, ensuring that it won’t become lost due to database failures.

Utilize GitHub

One of the main reasons that Git has become so popular is its integration with GitHub, an open-source public archive for sharing and distributing Git files. GitHub is a platform that allows users to upload, share, and collaborate on source code files with tens of millions worldwide. Through Cloud computing technology, GitHub lets users collaborate almost instantly, synching up various Git repositories and automating significant aspects of the coding process. GitHub is, on its own, a significant efficiency tool for professional and amateur programmers.