Imagine working on a team project without version control. One developer overwrites another’s work. Bugs appear with no way to track when they were introduced. Files are shared via email with names like final_final_v2_reallyFINAL.js. It’s chaos. That’s why version control systems (VCS) are essential.

What does version control do?

At its core, a VCS like Git keeps track of every change made to a codebase. Developers can experiment safely, roll back mistakes, and collaborate without overwriting each other’s work.

Key benefits

  • Collaboration: Multiple people can contribute simultaneously without conflicts.
  • History: Every change is recorded with an author and a timestamp.
  • Branching: Developers can create isolated branches for features or experiments.
  • Safety: If something breaks, you can always return to a stable version.

Popular tools

Git is by far the most widely used system. Hosting platforms like GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket add collaboration features such as pull requests and issue tracking.

In short, version control is the backbone of modern software development.