Git is a distributed version control system that helps developers track changes in their code over time. Unlike older systems, every developer has a complete copy of the project history on their local machine, allowing for offline work and faster operations.

When you make changes to files, Git records these as commits - snapshots of your project at specific moments. Each commit has a unique ID and includes information about what changed, who made the change, and when it was made.

Key concepts you should understand:

• Repository - The project folder where Git tracks changes
• Branch - A separate line of development (like creating a copy to work on new features)
• Merge - Combining changes from different branches
• Remote - A hosted version of your repository (like on GitHub or GitLab)

Git helps teams collaborate efficiently by managing multiple people working on the same codebase. When someone completes work on their branch, they can push changes to a shared repository, and others can pull those updates to their local machines.

Even if you're working alone, Git provides valuable benefits like the ability to revert to previous versions, experiment with new ideas in separate branches, and maintain a clear history of your project's evolution.