What is the difference between Git and GitHub?

 Theme: Version Control  Role: Front End Developer  Function: Technology

  Interview Question for Front-End Developer:  See sample answers, motivations & red flags for this common interview question. About Front-End Developer: Creates the user interface and user experience of websites and applications. This role falls within the Technology function of a firm. See other interview questions & further information for this role here

 Sample Answer 


  Example response for question delving into Version Control with the key points that need to be covered in an effective response. Customize this to your own experience with concrete examples and evidence

  •  Definition: Git is a distributed version control system that allows developers to track changes in their codebase and collaborate with others. GitHub, on the other hand, is a web-based platform that provides hosting for Git repositories
  •  Functionality: Git is a command-line tool that runs locally on a developer's machine. It allows users to create branches, commit changes, merge code, and revert to previous versions. GitHub, on the other hand, is a cloud-based service that provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for managing Git repositories. It offers additional features like issue tracking, pull requests, and project management tools
  •  Collaboration: Git enables developers to work on the same codebase simultaneously by creating branches and merging changes. It allows for offline work and provides a complete history of all changes made. GitHub, on the other hand, facilitates collaboration by providing a centralized platform for developers to share their code, review changes, and contribute to projects. It offers features like pull requests, which allow developers to propose changes and have them reviewed before merging into the main codebase
  •  Hosting: Git is a distributed version control system, which means that each developer has a complete copy of the codebase on their local machine. It does not require a centralized server for hosting repositories. GitHub, on the other hand, is a cloud-based service that provides hosting for Git repositories. It allows developers to push their local repositories to the GitHub server, making it accessible to others
  •  Open Source: Git is an open-source tool that is freely available for anyone to use and modify. It was created by Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux. GitHub, on the other hand, is a commercial platform that offers both free and paid plans. It hosts millions of open-source projects and provides additional features for collaboration and project management
  •  Popularity: Git is widely used in the software development industry and is considered the de facto standard for version control. It is used by individual developers as well as large organizations. GitHub, on the other hand, is the most popular platform for hosting Git repositories. It has a large user base and is widely adopted by the open-source community
  •  Integration: Git can be integrated with various development tools and workflows. It can be used with IDEs, text editors, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) systems. GitHub, on the other hand, provides integrations with a wide range of third-party tools and services. It offers APIs and webhooks for seamless integration with other development tools and workflows
  •  Security: Git provides built-in security features like cryptographic hashing to ensure the integrity of code and prevent unauthorized changes. It also supports authentication and access control mechanisms. GitHub, on the other hand, provides additional security features like two-factor authentication, encrypted connections, and vulnerability scanning for repositories
  •  Backup & Recovery: Git allows developers to have a complete copy of the codebase on their local machines, providing a backup in case of server failures or data loss. It also allows for easy recovery of previous versions of the code. GitHub, on the other hand, provides cloud-based hosting, which ensures that repositories are backed up and can be easily restored in case of data loss or server failures
  •  Licensing: Git is released under the GNU General Public License (GPL), which is a free software license. GitHub, on the other hand, allows developers to choose the license for their repositories. It supports a wide range of open-source licenses as well as proprietary licenses

 Underlying Motivations 


  What the Interviewer is trying to find out about you and your experiences through this question

  •  Technical Knowledge: Assessing the candidate's understanding of version control systems and their familiarity with Git and GitHub
  •  Problem-solving skills: Evaluating the candidate's ability to differentiate between similar concepts and explain complex technical concepts in a simple manner
  •  Experience & expertise: Determining the candidate's level of experience and proficiency in using Git and GitHub in their previous projects

 Potential Minefields 


  How to avoid some common minefields when answering this question in order to not raise any red flags

  •  Confusing Git & GitHub: Mistaking Git for GitHub or vice versa
  •  Lack of understanding: Not being able to explain the basic differences between Git and GitHub
  •  Limited knowledge: Inability to provide examples of how Git and GitHub are used in practice
  •  Not mentioning version control: Failing to highlight that both Git and GitHub are tools for version control

 Related

  Other questions asked for the Front-End Developer in Technology function. View details for the Front-End Developer here