Git vs GitHub

Git vs GitHub: What’s the Difference?

When people start learning version control, they often hear Git and GitHub used interchangeably. While they’re closely related, they serve very different purposes. This post breaks down the difference so you’ll know exactly when to use Git and when to use GitHub.

What is Git?

• Git is a distributed version control system (VCS) created by Linus Torvalds in 2005. It helps developers track changes in source code over time.

• Think of Git as a tool you install on your computer to manage code history locally.

• Git stands for "Global Information Tracker".

• Git is a distributed version control system (DVCS).

• Works locally and doesn’t require an internet connection.

• It allows developers to work independently on a project, make changes, and then merge those changes with others' work.

• Git is a command-line tool that is installed and used locally on a developer's machine.

Git / GitHub for Version Control?

• Version Control is also know as Source Control

• Tracks changes in code over time

• Allows collaboration among developers

• Prevents loss of work and maintains history

Key Features of Git:

• Tracks changes in files with snapshots.

• Allows branching and merging.

• Works offline (all repositories are self-contained).

• Command-line based, though GUIs exist.

  
  

Example Git commands & usage:

Command	Usage
git init	Initialize a new Git repository in the current directory.
git clone <url>	Copy a remote repository to your local machine.
git status	Show the current state of the working directory and staging area.
git add <file>	Stage changes for the next commit.
git add .	Stage all changes in the current directory.
git commit -m "msg"	Save staged changes with a descriptive message.
git log	View the commit history.
git diff	Show changes between working directory and staging area.
git branch	List all branches in the repository.
git branch <name>	Create a new branch.
git checkout <branch>	Switch to another branch.
git merge <branch>	Merge changes from another branch into the current one.
git pull	Fetch and merge changes from the remote repository.
git push	Upload local commits to the remote repository.
git remote -v	Show remote repository URLs.
git reset <file>	Unstage a file while keeping changes.
git rm <file>	Remove a file from the working directory and staging area.
git stash	Temporarily save changes not ready to commit.
git stash pop	Reapply stashed changes.
git config --global user.name "Name"	Set your Git username globally.
git config --global user.email "email"	Set your Git email globally.

What is GitHub?

• GitHub is a cloud-based platform built around Git. It acts as a hosting service for your Git repositories, making collaboration easier.

• Instead of keeping your code only on your machine, GitHub lets you store it online, so multiple developers can work together seamlessly.

• A cloud-based hosting service for Git repositories

• Enables collaboration, code sharing, and version control

• Provides features like pull requests, issues, and actions

• Developers can push their Git repositories to GitHub, allowing them to share their code with others, collaborate on projects, and track issues.

• Alternative platforms: GitLab, Bitbucket

Key Features of GitHub:

• Hosts Git repositories online.

• Provides collaboration tools (issues, pull requests, discussions).

• Integrates with CI/CD pipelines (like Jenkins, GitHub Actions).

• Offers project management and team permissions.

• Has a social aspect (followers, stars, forks).

In short: GitHub is Git + Collaboration + Cloud.

Git vs GitHub: Side-by-Side

Git vs GitHub usage level:

Feature	Git	GitHub
Type	Version Control System (tool)	Cloud-based hosting & collaboration platform
Where it runs	On your local machine	On the web (with desktop & API support)
Usage	Track code changes, branching, merging	Share code, collaborate, manage projects
Internet needed?	No (fully offline)	Yes (to sync with remote repo)
Ownership	Open-source, created by Linus Torvalds	Owned by Microsoft
Alternatives	Mercurial, Subversion	GitLab, Bitbucket, Azure Repos

How Git and GitHub Work Together

• A developer uses Git on their local machine to track and commit changes.

• They push those commits to a GitHub repository for backup and collaboration.

• Other team members pull the latest changes from GitHub and contribute back.

Analogy to Remember

• Git = Your personal notebook where you write code and keep a history of every page.

• GitHub = A shared online library where you upload your notebook so others can read, borrow, and contribute.

Conclusion

• Use Git to manage your project history and code versions locally.

• Use GitHub to share that project online, collaborate with others, and integrate with tools.

Together, Git and GitHub form the backbone of modern software development.

FAQ :

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Authentication & Access Issues

• Problem: “Permission denied (publickey)”

  • Ensure you’ve added your SSH key to GitHub (ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -C "your_email@example.com") and added the public key in your GitHub settings.

  • Test connection: ssh -T git@github.com.

    
    

• Problem: “Authentication failed” when using HTTPS

  • Use a Personal Access Token (PAT) instead of your password (since GitHub removed password auth for Git over HTTPS).

  • Save credentials using:

    git config --global credential.helper store

Cloning & Fetching

• Problem: Repo not found

  • Double-check the repository URL (git remote -v).

  • Ensure you have permission (private repos need access).

• Problem: Slow clone

  • Use a shallow clone:

    git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/user/repo.git

Branch Management

• Problem: Accidentally committed to the wrong branch

  • Create a new branch from that commit:

    git checkout -b correct-branch

    
    

• Problem: Need to update local branch with remote

  • Safer than pull (avoids unwanted merges):

    git reset HEAD~1 --hard

Pushing & Merging

• Problem: “rejected non-fast-forward” when pushing

  • Your local branch is behind. Sync first:

    git pull --rebase origin main

    git push origin main

    
    

• Problem: Merge conflicts

  • Open conflicted files, look for <<<<<<< HEAD markers.

  • Decide which changes to keep, remove conflict markers, then:

    git add .

    git commit

Pro Tips

• Use .gitignore to prevent committing temp files or secrets.

• Run git status often — it’s your best friend for understanding what’s staged, committed, or untracked.

• Use draft pull requests on GitHub to get feedback before merging.

• Enable branch protection rules on GitHub to enforce reviews and CI checks.

• Use aliases for speed, e.g.:

  
  

  git config --global alias.st status

  git config --global alias.co checkout