Git has become the dominant version control system in the software industry, but it's not the only option available. In this article, we'll compare Git with other version control systems and explore why Git has become so popular.
New to version control? Start with our Git Basics for Beginners guide to learn the fundamentals before diving into comparisons.
Centralized vs. Distributed Version Control
The first major distinction between version control systems is whether they are centralized or distributed.
Centralized Version Control Systems (CVCS)
In a CVCS like Subversion (SVN) or Perforce, there is a single central repository that stores all versions of files. Developers check out files from this central repository, make changes, and then commit those changes back to the central repository.
Distributed Version Control Systems (DVCS)
In a DVCS like Git, Mercurial, or Bazaar, every developer has a complete copy of the repository, including its full history. This allows developers to work offline and perform many operations without needing to connect to a central server.
Git vs. Subversion (SVN)
Subversion (SVN)
SVN is a centralized version control system that has been around since 2000. It was designed to be a better CVS (Concurrent Versions System).
Advantages of SVN:
- Simpler learning curve for beginners
- Fine-grained access control
- Locks for binary files
- Partial checkouts (you can check out just a subdirectory)
Disadvantages of SVN:
- Requires network access for most operations
- Branching and merging are more complex
- Slower performance for many operations
- Single point of failure (the central repository)
Git
Git is a distributed version control system created by Linus Torvalds in 2005 for the development of the Linux kernel.
Advantages of Git:
- Distributed architecture allows offline work
- Fast performance, even with large repositories
- Powerful branching and merging capabilities
- Robust ecosystem and tooling
- Flexible workflows (learn more in our Advanced Git Workflows article)
- Data integrity through SHA-1 checksums
Disadvantages of Git:
- Steeper learning curve
- Less intuitive command syntax
- Handling of binary files is less efficient
- No built-in access control (relies on external tools)
Git vs. Mercurial
Mercurial is another distributed version control system that was created around the same time as Git.
Mercurial
Advantages of Mercurial:
- More user-friendly and easier to learn
- Consistent command syntax
- Better handling of binary files
- Built-in web interface
Disadvantages of Mercurial:
- Less flexible branching model
- Smaller ecosystem and community
- Fewer advanced features
- Less adoption in the industry
Why Git Became Dominant
Git has become the dominant version control system for several reasons:
- GitHub's Influence: The rise of GitHub as a platform for open-source collaboration significantly boosted Git's popularity
- Performance: Git's performance advantages, especially for large codebases
- Branching Model: Git's powerful and flexible branching capabilities
- Open Source Community: Strong adoption in the open-source community
- Industry Adoption: Widespread adoption by tech companies
Conclusion
While Git has become the industry standard, other version control systems still have their place. The best choice depends on your team's specific needs, the nature of your project, and your existing workflows. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of different systems can help you make an informed decision.
Explore Git further:
Now that you understand Git's advantages, check out our Git Commit Downloader tool to easily extract changes from specific commits. For security considerations when using Git, read our Git Security Best Practices article.