Glossary · Source control and deployment
Version control
A system for recording changes to files so work can be compared, attributed, combined, and restored.
Also called: source control, version control system
Definition
Version control records a sequence of changes and supports parallel branches, review, history, and recovery. Git is a widely used version-control system; GitHub is one service that hosts Git repositories.
Why it matters
Version control makes website and system changes more traceable and reversible than replacing files without history.
Common misunderstanding
A Git repository is not automatically a deployment, backup strategy, or public GitHub project.
Related terms
Related system family: Hosting & Release
Sources
- About repositories (opens in a new tab) · GitHub Docs
- Best practices for repositories (opens in a new tab) · GitHub Docs
Last reviewed July 16, 2026