What is the difference between Git and SVN?

 Theme: Skills  Role: Full Stack Developer  Function: Technology

  Interview Question for Full Stack Developer:  See sample answers, motivations & red flags for this common interview question. About Full Stack Developer: Develop both front-end and back-end components of 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 Skills with the key points that need to be covered in an effective response. Customize this to your own experience with concrete examples and evidence

  •  Version Control System: Both Git and SVN are version control systems that allow developers to track and manage changes to their codebase
  •  Centralized vs Distributed: SVN is a centralized version control system, where there is a single central repository that stores all versions of the code. Git, on the other hand, is a distributed version control system, where each developer has a local copy of the entire repository
  •  Branching & Merging: In SVN, branching and merging can be more complex and time-consuming, as it requires communication with the central repository. Git, being distributed, allows for easier and faster branching and merging, as it can be done locally without the need for a central server
  •  Performance: Git is generally faster than SVN, especially for large codebases, due to its distributed nature and the ability to perform operations locally
  •  Offline Work: Git allows developers to work offline and commit changes locally, whereas SVN requires a connection to the central repository for most operations
  •  History & Metadata: SVN stores metadata about files and directories, including revision numbers and commit messages, in a centralized manner. Git, on the other hand, stores metadata in a distributed manner, with each commit containing a snapshot of the entire repository
  •  Community & Popularity: Git has gained significant popularity and has a larger community of users and contributors compared to SVN, resulting in more resources, tools, and support available
  •  Integration & Ecosystem: Git has better integration with various development tools and platforms, such as GitHub and GitLab, which provide additional features like code review, issue tracking, and continuous integration
  •  Learning Curve: Git has a steeper learning curve compared to SVN, as it offers more advanced features and flexibility. However, once mastered, Git provides greater control and efficiency in managing codebase
  •  Use Cases: SVN is often preferred for projects with a centralized workflow and when strict access control is required. Git is more suitable for distributed teams, open-source projects, and projects with frequent branching and merging

 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 differences
  •  Problem-solving skills: Evaluating the candidate's ability to analyze and compare different tools and choose the most suitable one for a given scenario
  •  Adaptability: Determining if the candidate can easily transition between different version control systems based on project requirements
  •  Experience: Assessing the candidate's familiarity and hands-on experience with both Git and SVN

 Potential Minefields 


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

  •  Lack of understanding: Not being able to explain the fundamental differences between Git and SVN
  •  Superficial knowledge: Providing vague or generic answers without specific examples or technical details
  •  Bias towards one tool: Showing a strong preference for either Git or SVN without acknowledging the strengths and weaknesses of both
  •  Inability to explain branching & merging: Failing to articulate the advantages of Git's branching and merging capabilities over SVN
  •  Limited experience: Not being able to provide real-world examples or experiences of using either Git or SVN in a professional setting

 Related

  Other questions asked for the Full Stack Developer in Technology function. View details for the Full Stack Developer here