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What Is Git? Differences From CVS, Key Commands, and Why It Matters for Teams

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Last updated March 13, 2025

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What Is Git?

Git is a distributed version control system that tracks file changes. It's open source. It stores snapshots of a project's history. Teams can collaborate with fewer conflicts. Traditional systems like CVS store data in a central server. Git works differently by allowing each contributor to have a local copy. This approach increases flexibility, lets you work offline, and reduces the risk of losing all data if a single server fails.

flowchart TD subgraph "Centralized VCS (CVS)" Server[Central Server] Dev1[Developer 1] -->|Checkout/Commit| Server Dev2[Developer 2] -->|Checkout/Commit| Server Dev3[Developer 3] -->|Checkout/Commit| Server end
flowchart TD subgraph "Distributed VCS (Git)" Remote[Remote Repository] subgraph "Developer 1" Local1[Local Repo 1] Work1[Working Copy 1] Work1 -->|Stage & Commit| Local1 Local1 -->|Push| Remote Remote -->|Pull| Local1 end subgraph "Developer 2" Local2[Local Repo 2] Work2[Working Copy 2] Work2 -->|Stage & Commit| Local2 Local2 -->|Push| Remote Remote -->|Pull| Local2 end subgraph "Developer 3" Local3[Local Repo 3] Work3[Working Copy 3] Work3 -->|Stage & Commit| Local3 Local3 -->|Push| Remote Remote -->|Pull| Local3 end end

Why Git Is Different from CVS

CVS was once popular for code management. But CVS can be slower with large teams. Each commit or checkout is from a central server. Git uses a local repository model. Changes get pushed or pulled to a remote server, but developers can commit locally anytime. This design helps parallel work. It avoids major merges because everyone can branch and merge with minimal friction. Also, Git is more flexible with branching. It tracks changes in a more compact way. This helps performance and collaboration.

flowchart TD X[CVS] -->|Centralized| Y[Data in One Server] X -->|Less Flexible Branching| Z[Complex Merges] X -->|Older Toolchain| M[Slower in Large Projects]
flowchart TD G[Git] -->|Distributed| H[Local Repos] G -->|Fast Branching| J[Simple Merges] G -->|Scales Well| K[Large Projects Work Fine]

Git Change Tracking

Git tracks changes through commits. Each commit stores a snapshot of all tracked files. If you alter a file, Git registers this change. You can roll back or compare different snapshots. This helps keep a log of who changed what and why. You can see the commit history at any time. Each commit also has a unique identifier (a hash) that ensures integrity.

flowchart TD A[Workspace] --> B[Stage Changes with 'git add'] B --> C[Commit with 'git commit'] C --> D[Git Creates Snapshot of Files] D --> E[Commit Has Unique Hash] E --> F[History Preserved]

Importance for Team Collaboration

Teams often have multiple developers making updates. Git allows branching to isolate work. Each developer can develop features without disturbing others. Merging branches is straightforward. This supports parallel workflows. It's important for agile teams that work quickly and push updates often. Git also keeps logs of who made changes, so auditing is simpler. Conflicts can be resolved by merging code carefully. This helps teams ship stable code while staying fast.

flowchart TD A[Create Feature Branch] --> B[Local Development] B --> C[Commit Changes] C --> D[Merge or Pull Request] D --> E[Resolve Conflicts if Any] E --> F[Updates Integrated]

Why Git Matters for Team Collaboration

Git has become the standard for software development teams for several reasons:

  • Parallel Development: Multiple developers can work on different features simultaneously without conflicts.
  • Branching Strategy: Teams can isolate work in branches, making it easier to manage features, fixes, and releases.
  • Code Review: Pull requests (on platforms like GitHub or GitLab) facilitate peer review before code is merged.
  • Traceability: Every change is tracked with author information and timestamps, creating accountability.
  • Backup: Each developer's clone is a full backup of the project history.
  • Experimentation: Developers can try new ideas in branches without affecting the main codebase.

Basic Git Commands

  • git init: Initialize a new Git repository in your current directory.
  • git clone [url]: Create a local copy of an existing remote repository.
  • git status: Show changes in your working directory and staging area.
  • git add [file]: Stage files so that Git includes them in the next commit.
  • git commit -m "message": Record staged changes with a message.
  • git pull: Fetch and merge changes from remote repository.
  • git push: Upload local commits to remote repository.
  • git branch: List, create, or delete branches.
  • git checkout [branch]: Switch to a different branch.
  • git merge [branch]: Merge a specified branch into the current branch.

Hosted vs. Self-Hosted Git

You can set up your own Git server on a VPS or internal machine. This gives more control. But it may require more maintenance. Alternatively, you can use cloud Git hosting platforms like GitHub or GitLab. They handle server management, provide extra features like issue tracking or CI/CD. Many teams opt for GitHub or GitLab because of convenience. For sensitive data or strict compliance, a private Git server is an option too.

Git Hosting Options

While Git itself is a command-line tool, several platforms provide hosting for Git repositories with additional features:

  • GitHub: The most popular Git hosting platform, known for its large open-source community.
  • GitLab: Offers a complete DevOps platform with built-in CI/CD.
  • Bitbucket: Integrates well with other Atlassian tools like Jira and Confluence.
  • Self-hosted: You can set up your own Git server for complete control.

For a detailed comparison of these options, see our article on comparing Git services and setting up a local Git server.

Securing Your Git Workflow

Security is important when working with Git, especially for sensitive projects:

  • Use two-factor authentication (2FA) for your Git hosting accounts
  • Sign your commits with GPG to verify authorship
  • Regularly audit repository access permissions
  • Consider using Git hooks to enforce security policies
  • Be careful with public repositories - don't accidentally expose sensitive information

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can Git replace CVS entirely?

Yes, Git can replace CVS due to its distributed approach, simpler merges, and modern toolchains.

2. How do I start using Git on my computer?

Install Git from the official site or package manager. Then use git init to create a local repo or git clone to copy an existing repo.

3. Why do people prefer Git for team projects?

They enjoy easy branching, distributed workflows, and better collaboration features that reduce version conflicts.

4. Is Git open source?

Yes. It's maintained by a global community. The source code is available freely.

5. Can I host Git on my own server?

Yes. You can install and run Git on a dedicated server for maximum control, but it needs more maintenance.

6. What if conflicts happen when merging branches?

Git highlights conflicts in files. You edit them, resolve the conflict, then commit. The history remains clear.

7. Are GitHub and GitLab the same thing?

They both host Git repos. They offer different features and pricing. The core idea is similar: cloud-based Git repository hosting.

Keywords

git version control cvs git commands open source team collaboration git server github gitlab difference from cvs

About The Author

Ayodesk Team of Writers

Ayodesk Team of Writers

Experinced team of writers and marketers at Ayodesk

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