Git Vs. GitHub – What Are The Major Differences – Techbytes

As a programmer, you usually have to work with a lot of source code. Each new idea and concept that you are trying out will usually require hundreds of lines of code.

As such, a way of managing the source code that is being used on your system is critical. Whenever you need to control your source code, a version control system is always used.

Some of the popular source control systems include Git and GitHub. The two might sound familiar or even similar based on their names, but they are vastly different from each other. Let us now dive into the two source control systems and the difference between them.

What is Source Control?

- Keeping track of the different changes you are making to your local codebase is essential for a programmer. Not only will you be able to rectify changes more quickly, but you will also be more organized and avoid confusion and a codebase that is unmanageable. With source control, each code change is kept track of by a unique identified.

This means it is easier to note changes that have been made to the source code and exactly when they were changed. For instance, if a programmer changes the formula used to calculate the interest rate for a banking software system, it will be marked in the source control system.

When the bank requests for a change or a code review identifies that the new formula has been causing problems and inconsistencies in the software system, the programmer will locate the particular code that was changed. This means that reverting to the previous formula for interest rate or improving it per banking guidelines and policies will be much easier.

With the use of source control, it is also easier to undo any changes that have been made to source code. There is always a clear timeline for each new piece of code that has been added to your codebase, as well as the code that was there before the change was made.

The source control system makes it possible for programmers to write better software since they will be less prone to making mistakes. The software quality is also improved when someone relies on a source control system to write their code. There are two different types of source control systems; Git and GitHub.

Git

- Git is the source control system that is usually installed locally on your computer. It is used to keep track of source code changes locally and for more straightforward version control. It has incredible features that developers can test new features and changes before implementing them into the main codebase.

Features of Git

• Branching: Branching is separating the code into a new codebase which can be changed as much as possible to try out new features.
• The use of branching makes it possible for the developer to experiment with a new feature or a concept in the software. If it works, they can merge the changes they made to the rest of the source code. This means that introducing new features to the software is much safer and more efficient for the developer.
• Source code history: Keeping track of your source code history using Git is straightforward. You will be able to see the timestamp of all the changes you have made and commit notes that you might have written in addition to every push.
• Merging code changes: Making code changes locally using Git is very easy, and you can also use it on a local network.
• Easier collaboration: This means that you can have Git on the local servers while the different software developers work on their workstations to create the same software.
• Faster software features: Working on features and assigning tasks to individuals is very easy using Git and the source control ensures that all changes and contributions that have been made are easier to track.
• Project management: Keeping track of the progress currently being made on the software is also much easier with the use of Git. You can also use Git to roll back changes if a software bug is hard to track down.

As such, the overall quality of the software can improve, and the developers will also manage to keep track of what other developers are doing. If you are working locally in an office, Git will make it possible for you to keep track of your source code and become more productive.

GitHub

GitHub is a cloud-based hosting service that is usually used to manage Git repositories. As a programmer, you can log into the website and create your repository.

This repository can then be connected with your local IDE to ensure that any code changes that you are making locally can be pushed to the cloud. This is important for teams that are working on the same software project from various remote locations.

Features of GitHub

GitHub features the same features as Git but has the advantage of being cloud-based.

• Code changes can be made remotely, and any developer who is actively writing source code will be able to push the changes they have made to GitHub.
• Collaboration: Other programmers will retrieve the latest snapshot of the source code before they begin programming to review all code changes and recommend revisions.
• Safer coding practices: Making code more accurate and safer is also possible, thanks to peer reviews and pull requests.

These are all robust features available through GitHub and make it possible for your software to be of better quality. Programming is a lot easier and even more productive when working with a reliable source control system like GitHub.

Conclusion

Git and GitHub are both source control systems used by programmers and software developers to create new software systems.

They are used to test features and branches before they can be merged into the final software version. This is useful for controlling the quality of the final software that is created and ensures that programmers are more productive.

It is also safer for critical software systems since the quality control is stricter and more programmers review. Incorporate source control into your software development workflow and realize the massive benefits that you will enjoy today.