The Key Difference Between Git and Github
Git and Github are two distinct tools that are often used together by developers. However, many people tend to use these terms interchangeably, which is inaccurate because they have different roles in the development process. Here’s a breakdown of Git and Github and what sets them apart.
Understanding Git
Git is a distributed version control system that lets developers track changes in their codebase. It allows developers to create snapshots of the codebase, known as commits, and create separate branches from the main codebase to isolate the development of new features or bug fixes. With Git, developers can collaborate on a project and merge their changes without overwriting each other’s work.
Git can be used offline, which makes it an excellent tool for local development. Developers can track their changes locally, and when they are ready to share their code, they can push their changes to a remote repository.
What Is Github?
Github is a web-based hosted service that leverages Git to provide additional functionality. Github allows developers to store their code on its remote servers and provides features such as issue tracking, code reviews, project management, and collaboration tools. It is a central hub for sharing and collaborating on code with other developers.
Github also provides public repositories, which are freely accessible by anyone on the internet. This has made it a popular platform for open-source projects, where developers can contribute to a project without restrictions.
The Key Differences
The primary difference between Git and Github is in their functionality. Git is a version control system designed for managing code, whereas Github is a platform that uses Git as its backbone to provide additional functionality.
Another key difference is that Git can be used entirely offline without any internet connection, making it a suitable option for local development. Github, on the other hand, is a web-based platform that relies on an active internet connection to interact with it.
Lastly, while Git is free and open-source, Github has both free and paid plans. The free plan allows developers to create public repositories, whereas the paid plans offer extra features, such as private repositories, team management, and advanced reporting.
Closing Thoughts
In conclusion, Git and Github are two separate tools that work together to streamline the development process. Git is the fundamental tool for version control and is used to track changes locally, while Github provides additional functionality on top of Git, such as collaboration tools, issue tracking, and project management. By understanding the differences between these tools, developers can make better decisions about which tool to use at each stage of the development process.
Table difference between git and github
| Parameter | Git | GitHub |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Git is a version control system that is used to manage and track changes in software development projects. | GitHub is a web-based platform that provides hosting for Git repositories, as well as additional features such as issue tracking, project management, and collaboration tools. |
| Functionality | Git provides the core version control functionality, including the ability to track changes, commit code, and merge changes between branches. | GitHub provides additional functionality on top of Git, including the ability to share and collaborate on code, manage project issues, and automate workflows through integrations. |
| Usage | Git is used primarily by developers to manage code repositories and track changes in software development projects, both individually and within teams. | GitHub is used by both developers and non-technical users, including project managers, designers, and other stakeholders who need to collaborate on software projects. |
| Ownership | Git is an open-source project under the GNU General Public License and is maintained by a community of developers. | GitHub is a proprietary platform owned by Microsoft. |
| Cost | Git is free to download and use. | GitHub offers both free and paid plans, with additional features and functionality included in the paid plans. |