Git: The tool most software teams use to keep track of every change made to the code. It lets you see history, undo mistakes and work on the same project as others without overwriting each other’s work.
Example
Before starting a task, you create a new branch in Git so your changes don’t affect anyone else.
Why Git matters for IT interns
Almost every IT internship expects basic Git. You will use it from your first week.
Where you will hear it
You will use this term almost daily when working on code with a team, through Git, GitHub, or a similar tool. If someone uses it and you are not sure what they mean in your project, it is completely fine to ask; every team uses terms a little differently.
Related terms
- Commit: A saved snapshot of your changes in Git, with a short message describing what you changed.
- Feature Branch: A branch created for one specific feature, fix or task.
- Fork: Your own copy of someone else’s repository on GitHub or a similar service, which you can change without…
- GitHub: A website that stores Git repositories online and adds team features like Pull Requests, code review and…
- Main Branch: The primary branch of a repository, holding the stable, accepted code.
- Merge: Combining the changes from one branch into another.
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Related guides
Frequently asked questions
What is Git?
The tool most software teams use to keep track of every change made to the code. It lets you see history, undo mistakes and work on the same project as others without overwriting each other’s work.
What is an example of Git?
Before starting a task, you create a new branch in Git so your changes don’t affect anyone else.
Why does Git matter for IT interns?
Almost every IT internship expects basic Git. You will use it from your first week.
Explore more internship terms
The IT Internship Glossary explains 199 terms you will hear before and during your internship, with simple definitions and real examples.
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About the author
Dhaivat has 16+ years of experience in the IT industry, working on AI and cloud technologies, project delivery, and engineering leadership. He has interviewed and mentored many interns, wrote The Lost Intern, and runs the non-commercial Career Impact Initiative, mentoring students for free.