Version Control Basics
Learn about the fundamentals of version control systems and why they're essential for software development
Key Concepts of Version Control
1. Repository
A repository (or "repo") is a storage location where your project and its history are stored. It contains all the files and the complete history of changes.
2. Commit
A commit is a snapshot of your repository at a specific point in time. Each commit has a unique identifier and contains information about what changed, who made the change, and when.
3. Branch
A branch is a parallel version of the repository that allows you to work on different features or fixes without affecting the main codebase.
4. Merge
Merging is the process of combining changes from different branches into one.
5. Clone
Cloning creates a local copy of a repository that exists on a remote server.
Types of Version Control Systems
1. Local Version Control Systems
Simple systems that keep track of files on your local computer.
2. Centralized Version Control Systems (CVCS)
Systems like SVN where a single server contains all versioned files, and users check out files from that central place.
3. Distributed Version Control Systems (DVCS)
Systems like Git where every user has a complete copy of the repository, including its full history.