Chapter 1.2

What is Git specifically?

Git is a distributed version control system. This single architectural decision is what creates both its immense power and its steep learning curve.

Network Architecture

Main Server

Dev 1

.git/ Local DB

Cannot commit!

Dev 2

.git/ Local DB

Cannot commit!

Dev 3

.git/ Local DB

Cannot commit!

Dev 4

.git/ Local DB

Cannot commit!

Centralized: Developers must talk to the main server to commit code. If the server goes down (or you lose internet), development halts completely.

☁️

Dropbox vs Git

A common misconception is treating Git like a cloud backup drive. They operate on entirely opposite philosophies.

Dropbox Workflow

Continuous background sync. Hits Ctrl+S with a broken typo? It immediately overwrites the cloud version.

Git Workflow

Explicit snapshots. Hits Ctrl+S? Nothing happens to the timeline. You must explicitly construct a 'commit' to write to history.

User's Mental Model:

Auto-save → Sync to cloud

Save file → Stage changes → Commit to local DB → Push to remote DB