What is Github?

GitHub is a cloud-based hosting service that helps developers store and manage their code, as well as track and control changes to their code. While Git is the tool used to manage versions, GitHub is the platform where those versions live online.

Online Hosting Platform

GitHub acts as a remote server for your Git repositories. Instead of your project only living on your local machine (the "Local Limitation"), you "push" your code to GitHub, where it is stored safely in the cloud.

Team Collaboration & Access

The primary power of GitHub is enabling teamwork:

• Multiple Contributors: It allows many people to work on the same project simultaneously.

• Access Control: You can invite specific team members to view or edit the project.

• Visibility: You can set projects to be Public (open to everyone) or Private (restricted to you and your team).

Git vs. Github: the Key Difference

It is important to understand that they are not the same thing:

1. Git: The software/tool you install on your computer to track changes (The "Engine").

2. GitHub: The website/service where you upload your Git repositories to share them with others (The "Garage" or "Library").

Why Use Github?

• Remote Backup: If your computer crashes, your code is safe on GitHub.

• Code Review: Team members can comment on specific lines of code.

• Open Source: Millions of developers share their projects on GitHub, allowing you to learn from and contribute to global software.