Git Version Control: Understanding the Underlying Logic of Snapshots and Version Evolution

This article introduces the core knowledge of version control and Git. Version control is used to securely preserve code history, enabling backtracking, collaboration, and experimentation, while resolving code conflicts in multi - person collaboration. Git is a distributed version control system where each developer has a complete local copy of the code history, eliminating the need for continuous internet connection and enhancing development flexibility. Git's core design consists of "snapshots" (each commit is a complete copy of the code state for easy backtracking) and "branches" (managing development in parallel through pointers, such as the main branch and feature branches). Its three core areas are the working directory (where code is modified), the staging area (temporarily storing changes to be committed), and the local repository (storing snapshots). The operation process is "writing code → adding to the staging area → committing to the repository". Basic operations include initialization (git init), status checking (status), committing (add + commit), history viewing (log), branch management (branch + checkout + merge), version rollback using reset, and collaboration through remote repositories (push/pull). Essentially, Git is "snapshots + branches". By understanding the core areas and basic operations, one can master Git, which supports clear code evolution and team collaboration.