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Step 1: What is Git?
Git is a version control system — a tool that helps you track changes to your files over time. Think of it as an "unlimited undo" button for your entire project.
Why Do Developers Use Git?
- •Track every change — Git remembers every version of your files, so you can go back to any point in time.
- •Work without fear — Experiment freely knowing you can always undo your changes.
- •Collaborate with others — Multiple people can work on the same project without overwriting each other's work.
A Simple Analogy
Imagine you're writing an essay. Without Git, you might save files like:
essay-final.docessay-final-v2.docessay-REALLY-final.doc
With Git, you keep one file and Git automatically remembers every version. You can jump back to any saved point whenever you want.
Key Concepts
Repository (Repo)
A folder that Git is tracking. It contains your project files and the history of all changes.
Commit
A "save point" in your project. Each commit records what changed and when.
Try It Yourself
Open your terminal and type the following command to check if Git is already installed:
bash
git --versionDon't worry if it says "command not found" — we'll install Git in a later lesson!
Quick Summary
- Git is a version control tool that tracks file changes
- It works like an unlimited undo button for your project
- A repository is a folder tracked by Git; a commit is a save point