Git vs GitHub Explained

When I first heard “Git” and “GitHub,” I genuinely thought they were the same thing. Like… Git was just short for GitHub. Or GitHub was the full version of Git. Or maybe Git was the software, and GitHub was the paid version? I had no clue.

If you're in that same boat, you're not alone—and you're definitely not dumb. This lesson will untangle it for good. No jargon. No fluff. Just plain English.

So, What Is Git?

Think of Git as your personal save game system for code. You’re playing the game (coding), you reach a milestone (a working feature), and you save your progress (a commit). That way, if a boss fight (aka a bug) wipes you out later, you can reload from a good spot.

Git lives entirely on your computer. You don’t need internet. No account. Just you, your code, and a glorious trail of changes.

Every commit is like a breadcrumb you leave behind, so even if you get totally lost in refactors and hotfixes, Git helps you find your way back.

And teamwork? Oh, Git is built for that. You and your friends can work on the same files, and Git helps keep everything from turning into chaos. Unless you're intentionally trying to break things. (Been there. Not recommended.)

Quick Recap:

  • Git tracks every version of your project.
  • Git works offline, right on your computer.
  • Git makes teamwork less painful and more powerful.

If you want to go deeper, check out this Git Basics Guide from Git SCM—it’s the official resource and surprisingly easy to follow.

What About GitHub?

GitHub is like a cloud-based playground for your Git-tracked projects.

You know how Google Docs lets you write something, store it online, and collaborate with others? GitHub does that for code—but with way more bells and whistles.

You take your project tracked by Git, and push it to GitHub. Now it’s online. Backed up. Shareable. Visible to your team. Or the entire world.

GitHub isn’t just storage—it’s social. People can follow your projects, open issues (aka bug reports), review your code with pull requests, and even contribute. It’s where open source lives and breathes.

I once had a stranger from Brazil fix a typo in my JavaScript project. Never met them. Never talked to them. But boom—they helped improve my code. That’s the power of GitHub.

Git ≠ GitHub: Here's the Deal

Let’s end the confusion:

  • Git is the tool you use to track changes.
  • GitHub is the website where you can store those changes and collaborate.

They work together beautifully, like Batman and Alfred. You code locally with Git. You push to GitHub to share it, back it up, or work with others. And when someone else pushes updates? You just pull them down.

Why This Combo Matters for JavaScript Devs

JavaScript devs live in a world of constant iteration. We build, break, and rebuild at lightning speed. Whether it’s a Node.js backend, a React frontend, or a static site using vanilla JS, having Git + GitHub in your toolkit means:

  • You can try new ideas without fear.
  • You’ll never lose progress (unless you forget to commit, in which case... don’t).
  • You can show your code to clients, collaborators, or future employers.

It’s not just a pro move. It’s the move.

Now that you get what Git and GitHub are, it’s time to actually set them up. In the next lesson, Installing Git, I’ll walk you through getting Git installed on your system—whether you’re on Windows, macOS, or Linux—and we’ll get your first commit ready to go.

Trust me, it’s easier than installing some NPM packages. 😅