Introduction
Version control systems help developers to manage changes in their code over time. They allow teams to collaborate efficiently, track modifications, and revert to previous versions when necessary. One of the most widely used version control systems today is Git.
It is important to understand the difference between Git, GitHub, and GitLab, because they are often confused.
Git
Git is the core version control system. It is a tool installed on your computer that allows you to:
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Track changes in files
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Create branches
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Merge code
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Manage project history locally
Git works even without an internet connection because everything is stored locally.
GitHub
GitHub is a cloud-based hosting platform for Git repositories. It provides a web interface and additional tools for collaboration such as:
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Pull requests
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Code reviews
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Issue tracking
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Project management
GitHub allows teams to store their Git repositories online and collaborate more easily.
GitLab
GitLab is another Git repository hosting platform, similar to GitHub. In addition to hosting repositories, GitLab provides integrated DevOps features such as:
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Continuous Integration / Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)
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Built-in project management
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Security and monitoring tools
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GitLab can be used either as a cloud service or installed on a private server.
Comparison
| Feature | Git | GitHub | GitLab |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Version Control System | Git Repository Hosting Platform | Git Repository Hosting Platform |
| Main Purpose | Track and manage code changes locally | Host Git repositories and enable collaboration | Host Git repositories with integrated DevOps tools |
| Where it runs | Installed locally on your computer | Cloud platform (web service) | Cloud service or self-hosted server |
| Collaboration Tools | Basic collaboration through Git commands | Pull requests, issues, project boards | Merge requests, issues, DevOps tools |
| CI/CD | Not included | Available through GitHub Actions | Built-in CI/CD pipelines |
Conclusion
- Git → the tool used to track changes in code.
- GitHub → a platform to store and collaborate on Git projects.
- GitLab → similar to GitHub but with more built-in DevOps features.