Following are the concepts that are covered in this blog:
Before starting the discussion, Git vs. GitHub, you need to know about version control systems. What is a version control system? Let’s check out!
Check out our beginner’s guide to Git & GitHub!
What is a Version Control System?
A version control system (VCS) helps save the program of a project, keeps track of the changes made to the code, and undoes those changes if necessary. A VCS is helpful when working with huge projects. By using it, you can easily overcome the conflicts.
When it is clear what a version control system is, it is easier to understand Git. In this Git vs GitHub blog, let’s get into the discussion about what is Git and GitHub.
What is Git?
Git is an open-source, distributed version control system that helps the project team members work together on a project and collaborate easily. It also allows the changes done by multiple members to be merged into one source. So with Git, you will be working on your part of the code, which will be saved in the project repository.
Features of Git
- Compatibility: Git is compatible with all operating systems. It can also access remote repositories created by subversion (SVN).
- Branching: The branching feature helps make modifications in the project without affecting the original version.
- Reliability: The data stored in the central repository is always backed up. Even when the central server is crashed, the data will never be lost, and it can be gained back easily.
- Speed: Git handles large projects more efficiently. It is very fast and scalable compared to other version control systems (VCS).
- Economical: Git can be used for free, and it is released under the General Public License (GPL) that helps save money spent on pricey servers.
Step 1: Download the latest version of Git for your operating system, click here
Step 2: After completing the download process, open it. If you get a dialog box showing ‘Do you want to allow this app,’ then click on Yes. Or, if the below dialog box appears, click on Next
Have you gone through the GIT Cheat Sheet yet? Visit now!
Step 3: If you want to go with the default location, click on Next, or you can change the location by clicking on the Browse option
Step 4: Click on Next to install the default components. Otherwise, you can install additional components by selecting the checkboxes as below
Step 5: Click on Next for the default start menu folder, or Browse for a new folder location
Step 6: Click on Next to select the default text editor for Git
Step 7: Click on Next to adjust your path environment
Step 8: Choose the SSL/TLS library that you will use for an HTTPS connection, and then click on Next
Step 9: Click on Next to select the default line endings, or you can choose the other options
Step 10: For Git Bash, choose the terminal emulator, and then click on Next
Step 11: Select all extra options you want to configure, and then click on Install
Step 12: Select any of the two options in the below screenshot, and click on Next/Finish to complete the setup
Get 100% Hike!
Master Most in Demand Skills Now !
Step 13: Once Git GUI is launched by the bash shell, type in the git gui command, and press then Enter
Step 14: Now, you can create a new repository or clone and open an existing repository. Try creating a new repository by entering the directory name
Step 15: As you can see, you have created a blank repository now!
In this ‘Git vs GitHub’ blog, you have understood about Git. Let’s now take a look at what GitHub is.
What is GitHub?
GitHub is a cloud-based distributed version control system that is user friendly and also offers a Git repository hosting service. This makes it easy for developers and team members to collaborate. You can sign in and host a public code repository for free. The project repositories will be stored in the GitHub cloud. It is like a ‘cloud for the code.’
Features of GitHub
- Drag-and-drop gist: Gist is a GitHub widget that allows hosting a piece of code in your file. It also provides a large number of code snippets in various languages.
- File finder: This feature is used to navigate quickly through the files present in any project repository. To activate this feature, you have to hit the ‘T’ key or type the file name that is there in your mind.
- GitHub emoji: GitHub emojis are the tiny emotion icons that can express people’s feelings. You can add these emojis in the README.md file and Wiki.
- Linking lines: This feature is used to share the specific lines of a file by adding #L followed by the number of the line. Here, you need to copy the starting and ending lines and paste them after the #L parameter, e.g., #L5-15. This selects lines from 5 to 15.
- Git.io: Git.io is used to shorten GitHub URLs. This feature makes it easy to share your GitHub repository.
Steps to Install GitHub
Step 1: To download the latest version of GitHub for your operating system, click here
Step 2: Click on Download for Windows (64-bit)
Step 3: Click on Run when prompted
Step 4: Allow to download and install
Once the installation is completed, the GitHub Desktop will be launched.
Step 5: After signing in with your credentials, you can start working on the GitHub desktop
On the GitHub desktop, you can perform various tasks such as merge, collaborate, rebase, and many more. GitHub won’t work on your local computer if you have not installed Git on it.
Now, you can probably answer the questions: What is Git? And what is GitHub? You also know about their advantages. So, let’s dwell on the focus of this blog: GitHub vs Git.
Want to learn more about Git! Check out our blog on Git Commands.
Difference Between Git and GitHub
Below are some of the major differences between Git and GitHub:
| Git | GitHub |
| Developed in the year 2005 by Linus Torvalds | Developed in the year 2008 and purchased by Microsoft |
| Focuses on code sharing | Focuses on source code hosting |
| Installed locally on a system | Hosted on the web |
| A software tool | A service tool |
| Primarily, a command-line tool | Administered through the web |
| Doesn’t have a user management feature | Has the user management feature |
| Competes with IBM, ClearCase, Mercurial, and Subversion | Competes with GitLab and Atlassian Bitbucket |
| A licensed open-source tool | A pay-for-use tier |
| Has a minimal external tool configuration | Supports third-party tool integration |
In the programming world, technologies and their functions keep on changing constantly. Therefore, it is worth knowing, ‘what is the difference between Git and GitHub?’ I hope this blog was helpful.
If you’re new to Git and GitHub or want to explore more in this field to advance your career, your right path will be to sign up with Intellipaat’s Git and GitHub Training. Through this online training course, you will gain a great understanding of how Git or GitHub is being used. To take your career to the next level, enroll today!
Also, have a look at the differences between GitHub and GitLab from our blog on GitLab vs GitHub!