The Git Workflow refers to the strategies and conventions used by teams to manage their source code using Git, a distributed version control system. Here is a detailed overview:
History and Evolution
- Git was initially developed by Linus Torvalds in 2005 for the development of the Linux kernel.
- Over time, various workflows have emerged as developers adapted Git to different project needs:
- Centralized Workflow: Mimics traditional centralized VCS like Subversion.
- Feature Branch Workflow: Branches are created for each feature, bug fix, or experiment.
- Git Flow: Introduced by Vincent Driessen in 2010, this workflow emphasizes separation between release and development branches.
- Forking Workflow: Utilized by open source projects, allowing contributors to work independently.
- GitHub Flow: Simplified approach focusing on pull requests and continuous deployment.
Key Concepts of Git Workflow
- Branching: Creating different lines of development for features, releases, or hotfixes.
- Merging: Integrating changes from one branch into another.
- Pull Requests: A method for reviewing and merging code, commonly used in platforms like GitHub.
- Rebasing: An alternative to merging where commits are moved onto a new base commit.
- Version Control: Managing changes to documents, computer programs, or other collections of information.
Contextual Application
Different workflows cater to:
- Small Teams: Often use simple workflows like the Centralized Workflow or GitHub Flow.
- Large Teams: Might opt for Git Flow or a variation of Feature Branch Workflow to manage complexity.
- Open Source Projects: Often employ the Forking Workflow to allow widespread collaboration.
- Continuous Deployment: GitHub Flow is particularly suited for this, as it integrates well with automated testing and deployment pipelines.
Common Practices
- Regular commits to keep the history clean and manageable.
- Code reviews before merging changes into the main branch.
- Use of CI/CD pipelines for automated testing and deployment.
- Documentation of the workflow in the project's contributing guidelines.
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