An Introduction to Git and Why Teams Use It

Git is not just a tool. It is one of the most reliable ways for teams to work together on the same project. In real-world software development, multiple people with different responsibilities work on the same codebase. Git helps them collaborate without overwriting or breaking each other’s work.

Git is a Version Control System (VCS). It keeps track of code changes and allows teams to move back to a previous version when something goes wrong.

Why Git Is Important for Teams

As projects grow, managing code manually becomes risky. Git provides structure, visibility, and safety when multiple people are contributing at the same time.

Benefits of Using Git

Multiple people can work on the same project at the same time
Every change is tracked with a clear history
Team collaboration becomes efficient and controlled
Code can be backed up and recovered when needed

How Git Works (Workflow)

Git works by organizing changes into different stages. This workflow helps teams control what gets shared and when.

Working Directory
Staging Area
Remote Repository

1. Working Directory

The working directory is where developers actively write and modify code. This directory exists on the local machine.

Developers can work offline, test features, and make changes without affecting anyone else’s work.

2. Staging Area

Once the developer finishes a task, selected changes are moved to the staging area using Git commands.

The staging area acts as a checkpoint. It allows developers to review and control what will be included in the next update.

3. Remote Repository

The remote repository is hosted online on platforms like GitHub or GitLab. This is where the team shares code and maintains the main version of the project.

From the remote repository, applications are built, deployed, and maintained.

Types of Version Control Systems

There are mainly three types of version control systems.

LVCS – Local Version Control System
CVCS – Centralized Version Control System
DVCS – Distributed Version Control System

1. LVCS (Local Version Control System)

In this system, all code changes are stored only on the local computer.

Limitation:
If the local machine fails, the entire project can be lost. Because of this risk, LVCS is rarely used today.

2. CVCS (Centralized Version Control System)

In a centralized system, all code is stored on a single server. Team members access and update the code from this central location.

Limitations:

If the server goes down, no one can work on the code
Continuous internet access is required
The server becomes a single point of failure

3. DVCS (Distributed Version Control System)

In a distributed system, every team member has a full copy of the code along with its complete history. Git is a distributed version control system.

Platforms like GitHub and GitLab support DVCS. There is no need to manage your own server infrastructure.

If one system fails, the project can be recovered from another team member’s machine.

Benefits of Distributed Version Control

Offline Work

Developers can work offline and commit changes locally. Once connected to the internet, changes can be pushed to the remote repository.

Speed

Most Git operations are fast because they run locally. Code changes can be saved and shared within seconds.

Security

Each developer has a complete copy of the repository. Code is safe both locally and remotely, making recovery easier.

Why Teams Use Git

Git helps teams manage code in a structured and reliable way. Every time code is pushed to the remote repository, a commit is created. Each commit represents a specific version of the project.

This allows teams to:

Identify stable versions of the application
Find where issues were introduced
Roll back to a previous working version

Because of this, teams can fix issues quickly without causing downtime for users.

Final Note

Git is not only about storing code. It is about maintaining stability, visibility, and confidence in software delivery.

When used correctly, Git becomes a strong foundation for teamwork and long-term project success.