Distributed vs centralized version control in Git - Quick Revision & Key Differences

Recall & Review

beginner

What is centralized version control?

Centralized version control uses a single central server to store all versions of the code. Developers check out and commit changes directly to this server.

beginner

What is distributed version control?

Distributed version control lets each developer have a full copy of the entire code history on their own computer. Changes are shared by pushing and pulling between copies.

intermediate

Name one advantage of distributed version control over centralized.

Distributed version control allows developers to work offline and commit changes locally before sharing, which is not possible with centralized systems.

beginner

How does centralized version control handle collaboration?

All developers connect to the central server to get the latest code and submit their changes, so the server controls the main codebase.

beginner

Give an example of a centralized and a distributed version control system.

Centralized example: Subversion (SVN). Distributed example: Git.

Which version control system stores the full history on every developer's machine?

A Both

B Distributed version control

C Neither

D Centralized version control

Distributed version control systems like Git keep a full copy of the project history on each developer's computer.

In centralized version control, where is the main codebase stored?

A On a central server

B On each developer's computer

C In the cloud only

D On a USB drive

Centralized version control systems store the main codebase on a single central server.

Which system allows you to commit changes without internet access?

A Centralized version control

B Both

C Neither

D Distributed version control

Distributed version control lets you commit locally without needing internet access.

Which of these is an example of a centralized version control system?

A Subversion (SVN)

B Mercurial

C Git

D Bazaar

Subversion (SVN) is a popular centralized version control system.

What is a key disadvantage of centralized version control?

A No history saved

B Hard to share code

C Requires internet to commit changes

D Too many copies of code

Centralized systems require connection to the central server to commit changes.

Explain the main differences between distributed and centralized version control systems.

Think about where the code history lives and how developers interact with it.

Describe a scenario where distributed version control is more beneficial than centralized.

Consider when internet access is limited or collaboration is flexible.