How To Check And Update Git Version

Git is a free and open-source distributed version control system that handles projects of all sizes quickly and efficiently. It outperforms SCM tools like Subversion, CVS, Perforce, and ClearCase with features like cheap local branching, convenient staging areas, and multiple workflows.

Git is a distributed version control system that tracks changes in any collection of computer files. 

It is typically used to coordinate work among programmers developing source code collaboratively during software development. Its objectives include data integrity, speed, and support for distributed, non-linear processes (thousands of parallel branches running on different systems). 

Git runs smoothly on a variety of operating systems. It enables each developer’s working copy of the code to serve as a repository for all updates rather than using a single repository with the program’s complete version history, as was the case with once-popular version control schemes like CVS or Subversion (also known as SVN),

How to Check Your Git Version

You rarely think about upgrading Git after installing it on your PC. This is because it never informs you when new updates are available. However, updating your software and apps is critical and should be done as soon as new updates become available. It helps improve performance, fix bugs, and add new features.

To check your Git version, follow these steps:

Step 1: Launch your terminal (Linux, macOS), command prompt (Windows), or any preferred command-line interface.

Step 2: Type git –version and hit Enter to run the command.

This command will display your current Git version when you input and run it.

How to Update Git

Once you’ve determined your current Git version, the next step is to verify it’s the latest version. However, you do not need to google the latest version to verify. The update procedure will notify you if you already have the most recent version installed.

These are the steps involved in updating Git on all three operating systems:

Linux

On Linux, you do not have to update Git independently from the other software. When you update Linux, Git and other installed packages are immediately updated. 

Windows

Updating Git on Windows is dependent on your current version of Windows. If you’re using Git version 2.14.1 or older, you must uninstall Git and re-download it. To download Git, go to the official Git website and download the most recent version to your system.

If you’re running any Git version from 2.14.2 to 2.16.1, run the following command on your command prompt:

git update

For version 2.16.1 and later, run the command:

git update-git-for-windows

macOS

If you installed Git on your Mac using Homebrew, input the brew command:

brew upgrade git

You will receive a warning if you already have the latest version of git installed.

Although macOS includes a version of Git, updates are not released regularly. As such, if you want the most recent version, you should use Homebrew. It’s free and open-source, and it simplifies the entire procedure. Furthermore, it releases updates more frequently.

Alternatively, you can download and run the most recent installer from the official Git website to update your Git version.

Conclusion

Whether you operate Git on Linux, macOS, or Windows, you should make it a must to update it regularly. Ensure you update your software constantly to enjoy the latest features. This article explains exactly how to check your Git version and also how to update your Git version on Linux, mac, and Windows operating systems.