Problems solved by git

Have you ever wondered what problems Git specifically solves for developers? This article is for you. It would cover different problems that Git is used to solving, problems it solves for specific types of developers, and how it ranks in solving problems compared to other code versioning systems such as svn.

What problems are solved using Git?

Git is a distributed version control system that helps manage and track changes in software development projects. It addresses various problems faced by developers and teams working on code. Here are some critical problems that Git helps to solve:

1. Version control: Git allows developers to keep track of different versions of their code, so they can easily revert to a previous version if needed. This helps prevent data loss and simplifies the process of fixing bugs or reverting problematic changes.
   
2. Collaboration: Git enables multiple developers to work on the same project simultaneously. It simplifies merging changes made by different team members, thus reducing conflicts and streamlining collaboration.
   
3. Branching and merging: Git allows developers to create separate branches for working on new features, bug fixes, or other tasks. Once a task is complete, we can merge the branch back into the main codebase. This helps isolate changes and minimize the risk of introducing bugs into the main codebase.
   
4. Distributed development: Git is a distributed version control system, meaning that every developer has a complete copy of the repository on their local machine. This allows for better performance and offline work compared to centralized version control systems.
   
5. Traceability: Git makes it easy to trace the history of changes made to a file or a codebase. Developers can view who made each change, when it is made, and what exactly was changed. This aids in understanding the evolution of a project and simplifies debugging and accountability.
   
6. Backup and redundancy: Since every developer working with Git has a complete copy of the repository, it provides redundancy and backup that helps protect against data loss.
   
7. Open-source development: Git is widely used in the open-source community, making it easy for developers to contribute to and collaborate on projects. This has facilitated the growth of open-source projects and code-sharing between developers.
   
8. Integration with other tools: Git integrates well with various development tools and platforms, such as IDEs, continuous integration systems, and project management tools. This helps streamline the development process and enhances developer productivity.

Problems solved by Git for UI designers

We know Git is a valuable tool for backend developers who mostly use programming languages like C, C++, Python, Ruby, Java, etc. How about UI developers who have different types of files?

For UI developers specifically, Git can help address a few unique challenges that arise when working with user interfaces:

1. Managing design assets: UI developers often work with design assets like images, icons, fonts, and other media files. Git can help track and manage these assets along with the code, ensuring that every change in design assets is traceable and versioned.
   
2. Synchronization with designers: As UI developers collaborate closely with UI designers, Git can facilitate communication between them. Designers can create branches for design updates, allowing developers to integrate those changes into their code without disrupting ongoing development work.
   
3. Component-based development: Modern UI development often involves creating reusable components or using component libraries. Git helps manage and version these components, making it easy to update, share, and track them across different projects and teams.
   
4. Managing style changes: Git can be used to address changes in CSS, SCSS, or other styling files, which are crucial in UI development. This enables UI developers to track the history of style changes, identify the source of issues, and roll back changes if necessary.
   
5. Documentation: Git can be used to store and version documentation related to UI components, design systems, or style guides. This helps maintain consistency across the team and ensures everyone is on the same page regarding design decisions and best practices.
   
6. Handling platform-specific code: In cases where UI developers are creating user interfaces for different platforms (e.g., web, mobile, desktop), Git allows them to manage platform-specific code and assets in separate branches, ensuring a clean and organized codebase.

While these problems are not exclusive to UI development, Git helps address them in a way that improves the workflow and collaboration between UI developers and other team members.

Problems that are better solved by Git as compared to SVN

Git and SVN (Subversion) are both version control systems, but they fundamentally differ in their design and capabilities. Advanced users may find that Git addresses several challenges that are not as well-handled by SVN:

1. Distributed vs. centralized: Git is a distributed version control system, while SVN is centralized. In Git, every developer has a complete copy of the repository on their local machine, which allows for better performance, offline work, and resilience against server downtime. SVN relies on a central server, which can be a single point of failure and require constant connectivity.
   
2. Commit flexibility: Git allows users to make multiple local commits before pushing them to a remote repository. This enables advanced users to work more efficiently by organizing and refining their work before making it available to others. SVN requires every commit to be pushed to the central repository immediately, which can lead to a less organized commit history.
   
3. Stashing changes: Git has a built-in “stash” feature that allows advanced users to temporarily save their work-in-progress without committing. This makes switching between branches or tasks easier without losing or mixing changes. SVN does not have a direct equivalent to this feature.
   
4. Partial commits: Git allows advanced users to commit only specific changes within a file, enabling more granular control over the commit history. SVN commits are always at the file level, which can lead to larger, less focused commits.
   
5. Rewriting history: Git allows advanced users to rewrite the commit history, such as changing commit messages, reordering commits, or squashing multiple commits into one. While this can be a double-edged sword, it can be useful in creating a clean and understandable history. SVN only supports rewriting history by resorting to complicated workarounds.
   
6. Ecosystem and community: Git has a larger and more active community, which means there are more resources, tools, and integrations available for advanced users. Additionally, Git is the de facto standard for open-source projects, providing more opportunities for collaboration and contribution.

That’s it.