Git Vs Azure Git

Git and Azure Git are two different concepts that are often compared due to their involvement in version control and software development. Let's look at each one individually and then compare them.

1. Git:
   Git is a distributed version control system (VCS) that allows multiple developers to collaborate on a project, track changes, and manage source code. It was created by Linus Torvalds, known for developing the Linux kernel, and has become the most widely used VCS in the software development industry. Git operates locally on your computer and enables you to create branches, commit changes, merge code, and revert to previous versions easily.

2. Azure Git:
   Azure Git, on the other hand, refers to the Git repositories provided as part of Microsoft's cloud platform called Azure. Azure offers a range of services for developers and businesses, and one of its offerings is Azure DevOps, which includes Azure Git repositories. Azure Git repositories are hosted in the Azure cloud and provide a centralized location to store and manage your source code, just like other remote Git repository hosting services such as GitHub or Bitbucket.

Now, let's compare Git and Azure Git:

1. Functionality: Git itself is a distributed version control system with a rich set of features for managing source code. It works on your local machine and allows you to perform various operations like branching, merging, committing, and more. Azure Git, being a Git repository hosting service, provides a centralized location to store your Git repositories and offers additional features like issue tracking, build pipelines, release management, and integration with other Azure DevOps services.

2. Deployment: Git can be deployed on any machine, whether it's a personal computer or a server. It's versatile and can be used independently or integrated with various development environments and tools. Azure Git, as part of Azure DevOps, is specifically designed to work within the Azure ecosystem. It offers seamless integration with other Azure services, making it easier to build and deploy applications using Azure's infrastructure.

3. Collaboration: Git, as a distributed VCS, supports decentralized collaboration among developers. Each developer has a complete copy of the repository, and they can work independently on their local machine and later synchronize their changes with others. Azure Git provides a centralized repository where developers can collaborate by pushing and pulling changes, creating branches, and managing code reviews. It also offers features like pull requests to facilitate collaboration and code review processes.

4. Hosting and Scalability: Git can be hosted on various platforms, including self-hosted servers, cloud-based services like GitHub, or private Git repository hosting solutions. Azure Git is specifically hosted within the Azure cloud infrastructure, which provides scalability and reliability benefits associated with a cloud service. It leverages Azure's global network of data centers, ensuring high availability and fast access to repositories across different geographical locations.

Git is the underlying distributed version control system, while Azure Git refers to the Git repository hosting service provided by Azure. Git is versatile, works locally on your machine, and can be used independently or integrated with various tools, whereas Azure Git provides centralized hosting within the Azure ecosystem and offers additional features and integrations with Azure DevOps services. The choice between Git and Azure Git depends on your specific requirements, development workflow, and preferences.