What are the core concepts of git, github, fork & branch. How does git compare to SVN?

Question

I\'ve been using Github for sometime now but I\'m getting a bit confused about some key concepts behind Git.

My background with VCS started with Source Safe and then

Answer 1

Unlike CVS and SVN which are file based, Git is commit based. The commits live in the repository as a tree of commits. There are 3 main sections to a git repository, the working directory the stage and the repository directory.

Git has no binding concept of a central repository. Every clone of a repository holds the full history of commit and commits of the repository it copied.

A fork is merely a clone or copy of another repository. The changes you make on your copy of the repository will not affect the repository that was forked (clone). To apply your changes on the original repository you would need to 'push' them or have the repository owner 'pull' any new commits you have added. Likewise others fork your fork (i.e. make a copy of your copy). And, any changes to their repository will not affect your repository unless you pull those changes in.

Git is an amazing tool. It serves not just as a way to version control work, but also makes collaboration and experimentation a lot easier. And there is so much more too it.

I highly recommend ProGit Book to help you get more acquainted with how and what Git is about.