Introduction to Version Control

Version Control is a system that records changes to files or a set of files over time so that you can recall specific versions later. It is primarily used in software development to manage source code changes, enabling collaboration among multiple developers.

With version control, you can:

• Track and compare changes.
• Revert files to a previous state.
• Identify who made changes and when.
• Resolve conflicts when multiple people edit the same file.

Version control is essential in modern software development, as it prevents code loss, improves collaboration, and maintains a history of modifications.

Version Control Concepts

Definition and Purpose

Version Control Systems (VCS) are tools that help manage changes to files over time. The purpose of a VCS is to:

• Keep a history of all changes made to a file or project.
• Allow multiple users to collaborate without overwriting each other’s work.
• Enable recovery of previous versions if something goes wrong.
• Facilitate branching and merging, so different features can be developed simultaneously.

Benefits of Version Control

1. Tracking Changes – Keeps a complete history of all changes made, including who made them and why.
2. Collaboration – Enables multiple developers to work on the same project without conflicts.
3. Backup & Recovery – Prevents data loss by allowing restoration to any previous version.