Git Support

Git development started in 2005 with Linus Torvalds in order to provide a source control solution that could apply patches to the Linux kernel quickly and efficiently. The software has since grown to support countless development teams, managing millions of repositories all over the world.

Some of the Git design characteristics included:

• Non-linear development support.
• Cryptographic history authentication.
• Existent system compatibility such as HTTP, FTP, and direct socket.
• Geographically distributed development support.
• Large project and file handling support.

Git remains a free and open source solution, with a large community of contributors adding to the features and capabilities. Git is unique among Source Control Managent (SCM) solutions as it treats repositories like a file system, making it orders of magnitude faster than its competitors.

Git Branching and Merging

Unlike most other SCM solutions, Git manages repositories using the branching model. This rapidly speeds up development cycles, allowing developers to create a branch of the repository and make changes to the code before merging it back into to the master.

The Git branching model enables:

• Seamless context switching between branches in order to test ideas and experiment with code.
• Codelines that are role-based to control production, testing, and smaller, day-to-day working branches.
• Workflows enable feature based branching, allowing for concurrent development.
• Branches that are disposable in order to experiment and try out new ideas.

You can also push only the branches you want to a remote repository, giving additional control and the ability to work independently on new features.

Git was Built with Speed in Mind

As Git creates a copy of the entire repository on the local machine, the speed with which changes are processed beats other, centralized SCM solutions. The cloned branch includes the entire history of the repository, tracks new changes, and merges all the information back to the master during the commit.

Git Development Workflow Support

Git supports any type of development workflow, as you do not have to check out a section of code in order to perform coding activities. If a developer attempts to push a commit and changes to the master occurred, Git will prevent the merge, and instead, the new master re-cloned for merge conflict detection.

Git Data Integrity

Git provides cryptographic data integrity for every change and commit performed within the entire repository. When you push a commit, the entire update is checksummed ensuring no one can make changes without your knowledge.

By using a staging area for each commit, you have complete control over what you push back into the master branch of the repository. Either you can commit the entire file or just the changes made within the file. The option is yours.

Git Large Project Support

For larger projects, Git enables teams to work using the “blessed” repository workflow. In this scenario, developers clone the “blessed” repository onto local environment, make changes, and then commit to a specific submodule managed by a “lieutenant” in the project. A “dictator” pulls the changes from the “lieutenant” repository before merging back to the “blessed” (master) branch.

Git Client Support

While Git repositories include files, binaries, modules, packages, and components, desktop clients enable a graphical view of your work. Git clients allow you to compare code using diff views, track changes, and manage or find merge conflicts. Third-party GUI’s can integrate with other Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) technology stacks, helping teams deliver reliable code more frequently than ever before.

ReleaseTEAM as your Git Experts

Git is how most DevOps companies deliver new features to software from distributed teams frequently and reliably. The branch and merge philosophy and development workflow enforces the codebase’s integrity. Using pull requests, teams can collaborate and improve the quality of code daily.

ReleaseTEAM provides software and tool selection expertise to the DevOps software development industry. With consultants involved in the software development revolution for more than twenty years, ReleaseTEAM can assist with any agile initiative or DevOps migration project. ReleaseTEAM provides software sales and support, training, staff augmentation as well as expert mentoring services.

Contact us at (866) 887-0489 or info@releaseteam.com today to speak to an expert about your next DevOps project.