An Introduction to Git: Features, Workflow, Command, Installation, and Role in DevOps

Git is by far the most popular contemporary version of the control system that is in use today. It is mature, regularly managed open-source platform created by Linus Torvalds, the well-known developer of the Linux operating system kernel, in the year 2005. Git is for version control in a startling number of software projects, both commercial and open source. Are you one who also wishes to get Git installation done and run operating systems and Integrated Development Environments? But still not aware of its features, workflow, or command process, this article might be of some help.

Let’s have a look to gain a better understanding of what is Git before we delve into the way of the Git installation process. 

What is Git?

Git is an Open Source Distributed Version Control System that may be used to efficiently manage small to big projects. Git is a version control system that allows numerous developers to collaborate on non-linear development projects. 

Git is a change-tracking version control system for computer files. It is commonly used in software development for source code management. For source management, a distributed version control solution is utilized. It enables numerous developers to collaborate. Through its millions of parallel branches, it encourages non-linear development. It is intended for:

• Speed
• Simplicity
• Completely dispersed
• Excellent parallel development support, with hundreds of parallel branches, supported.
• Integrity

Characteristics of Git

To understand what is Git, it is also necessary to know the main features of Git which include:

• Tracks past
• Encourages non-linear growth
• Produces backups
• Scalable
• Encourages cooperation
• It is less difficult to branch out
• Development that is dispersed

What is Git’s main goal?

Git is mostly used to manage the project, which consists of a series of potentially changing code or text files. But first, let’s go through the basics of Version Control Systems (VCS) and how Git came to be. The administration of modifications to papers, computer programs, huge websites, and other collections of information is known as version control.

VCS comes in two varieties:

• Centralized Version Control System (CVCS)

Centralized Version Control System stores all files on a single server and allows for team collaboration. It is based on a single repository with direct access to a central server by users.

• Distributed Version Control System (DVCS)

Every participant has a local copy or “clone” of the main repository in Distributed Version Control System. It means that everyone has their local repository with all of the files and information from the main repository.

Workflow of Git

Git has acquired a lot of popularity among developers since its creation and release, and because it is open source, it offers a lot of functionality. While studying what is Git, another main aspect that comes up is the stages involved in the workflow of Git. These involve:

1. Working directory

Make changes to the files in the current working directory.

2. Staging Area

Arranging the files in the staging area and adding snapshots of them.

3. Git Repository

Make a commit to store the snapshots in the Git directory indefinitely. 

Git Commands

Git supports a wide range of command-line tools and graphical user interfaces. The Git command line is the only place where you can run Git commands. The commands listed below will guide you through using Git from the command line.

• Git Branch command
• Git Config command
• Git remote command
• Git Merge Command
• Git add command
• Git init command
• Git commit command
• Git log command
• Git clone command
• Git status command
• Git push command
• Git pull command

Git Installation in Windows

The main focus of this article of knowing what is Git aims at the Git installation process to be followed on Windows. Let’s have a look at it.

1. Step 1: Download and Install Git
2. Step 2: Git bash interface
3. Step 3: Basic Git Commands
4. Step 4: Create a local repository
5. Step 5: Connecting to the remote repository
6. Step 6: Push file to GitHub

Role of Git in DevOps

Now that know what is Git, there is another aspect that needs much attention. Git is considered an integral part of DevOps.

The practice of introducing agility to the development and operations processes is known as DevOps. It’s a brand-new philosophy that is sweeping the world of IT, enhancing project life cycles and, as a result, revenues. DevOps encourages collaboration between development engineers and operations, allowing them to participate in the whole service life-cycle, from design to production support through the development process.

The DevOps life cycle starting from project planning to deployment and monitoring fits Git into it. When it comes to maintaining the code that contributors add to the shared repository, Git is essential.

Tools like Git make it easier for the operation and development teams to communicate. When working on a large project with many participants, it’s vital to keep everyone in the loop when making changes to the project.

Commit messages are critical for team communication in Git. All of the components are kept in a Git-based version control system. It is vital to maintain all communication under version control in DevOps to be effective. As a result, Git is essential to your success.

Conclusion

For the time being, we have tried to establish that Git is a more capable and extensively used version control system. It is easier to learn how to utilize Git if you have grasped what it is and why it exists.

In the process of knowing what Git is, this article might be a useful one in learning about it. As a result, you may learn everything there is to know about Git and the DevOps tools. This article’s primary goal is to provide a better understanding of version control systems, centralized version control systems, and the features, commands, installation, and Git workflow.