You need version control. Every software project begins with an idea, implemented in source code. These files are the magic that powers our applications, so we must treat them with care. We want to be sure that we keep them safe, retain a history of changes, and attribute credit (or blame!) to the rightful authors. We also want to allow for seamless collaboration between multiple team members.
And we want all this in a tool that stays out of our way, springing into action only at the moment of our choosing.
Does such a magical tool even exist? If you’re reading this, you might have guessed the answer. Its name is Git! Developers and organizations around the world love Git. So what is it that makes Git so popular?
Why we need version control
You might have played video games that take more than one sitting to complete. As you progress through the game, you win and lose some battles, and you might acquire some weaponry or an army. Every so often you might try more than once to finish a particular challenge. Many games allow you to save your progress. So now, say you’ve just slain the fire dragon, and next on the agenda is fighting your way to the massive treasure trove.
You decide, just to be safe, to save your progress and then ...
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