History of Git

Git is one of the most popular if not the most popular VCS at the time of writing.

The first version was released in 2005 and the reason it was developed was mainly because a group of developers had been using a commercial VCS for free, but the relationship between the developers and the company that supplied the VCS broke down.

One of these developers his name is Linus Torvalds, you may know him as the original author (and maintainer) of the Linux kernel.

He and his team did not like the other version control systems very much, so he decided to write a new system called Git.

The README file in the source code tries to give some explanation towards the name:

The name "git" was given by Linus Torvalds when he wrote the very

first version. He described the tool as "the stupid content tracker"

and the name as (depending on your way):

• random three-letter combination that is pronounceable, and not

actually used by any common UNIX command. The fact that it is a

mispronunciation of "get" may or may not be relevant.

• stupid. contemptible and despicable. simple. Take your pick from the

dictionary of slang.

• "global information tracker": you're in a good mood, and it actually

works for you. Angels sing, and a light suddenly fills the room.

• "g*dd*mn idiotic truckload of sh*t": when it breaks