What is the Difference Between Git and Github?

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Git and GitHub are related but serve different purposes in the realm of version control and code collaboration. Here are the key differences between the two:

  • Git: Git is a distributed version control system (VCS) that allows developers to track changes in their code and manage their source code history. It is designed for coordinating work among programmers and tracking changes in any set of files. Git is installed locally on a system, meaning developers can manage their code without a centralized server or internet access.
  • GitHub: GitHub is a web-based hosting service for Git repositories. It offers all of Git's distributed revision control and source code management (SCM) functionality and adds additional features such as collaboration functionality like project management, support ticket management, and bug tracking. GitHub is a cloud-based platform that requires internet access and has a built-in user-management system. It is maintained by Microsoft and is a for-profit service with a free-tier and pay-for-use tier.

In summary, Git is a version control system that allows developers to track changes in their code, while GitHub is a web-based platform that hosts Git repositories and provides collaboration features. You can use Git without GitHub, but you cannot use GitHub without Git.

Comparative Table: Git vs Github

Here is a table highlighting the key differences between Git and GitHub:

Feature Git GitHub
Definition Git is a distributed version control system used for tracking changes in source code. GitHub is a collaboration and version control platform for storing and managing code.
Functionality Git is used for tracking changes in source code, branching, merging, and committing. GitHub is a platform for collaborating on code, managing versions, access control, and task management.
Usage Git can be used without GitHub. GitHub is built to work correctly with Git and relies on Git for its underlying version control system.
Command Line Tool Git developers perform tasks like commit and merge using a command-line tool. GitHub provides a cloud-based graphical interface for performing these tasks, as well as offering developers access control, collaboration features, and various task-management tools.
Open Source Git is an open-source project. GitHub offers both open-source and paid plans for users.
Interactivity Developers can contribute to one another's code without direct interaction, making it less of a networking site for web professionals. GitHub facilitates social coding, allowing developers to interact and contribute to each other's code, making it a networking site for web professionals.