Why did Git become so popular?

#1

Post by ashishgandhi » Fri, Nov 30, 2012, 4:29 PM UTC

Why did Git become so popular?
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Re: Why did Git become so popular?

#2

Post by fbuilesv » Fri, Nov 30, 2012, 4:35 PM UTC

I think the current answer fails to mention two important things:

1. GitHub.

2. Linus himself wrote it (the kernel previously used BitKeeper but that never got any real traction AFAIK).

Having said that, I think this phrase totally nails it:

"If it's good enough for the Linux kernel, it's good enough for you" is a very convincing argument.

Re: Why did Git become so popular?

#3

Post by debacle » Fri, Nov 30, 2012, 4:37 PM UTC

fbuilesv wrote: post #2

I think the current answer fails to mention two important things: 1. GitHub. 2. Linus himself wrote it (the kernel previously used BitKeeper but that never got any real traction AFAIK). Having said that, I think this phrase totally nails it: "If it's good enough for the Linux kernel, it's good enough for you" is a very convincing argument.

Or, from another perspective, "Linux uses it, so we should too!"

Re: Why did Git become so popular?

#4

Post by jamesdterry » Fri, Nov 30, 2012, 4:41 PM UTC

debacle wrote: post #3

fbuilesv wrote: post #2

I think the current answer fails to mention two important things: 1. GitHub. 2. Linus himself wrote it (the kernel previously used BitKeeper but that never got any real traction AFAIK). Having said that, I think this phrase totally nails it: "If it's good enough for the Linux kernel, it's good enough for you" is a very convincing argument.

Or, from another perspective, "Linux uses it, so we should too!"

No one ever got fired for going with Linus ;-)

Re: Why did Git become so popular?

#5

Post by ashishgandhi » Fri, Nov 30, 2012, 4:46 PM UTC

fbuilesv wrote: post #2

I think the current answer fails to mention two important things: 1. GitHub. 2. Linus himself wrote it (the kernel previously used BitKeeper but that never got any real traction AFAIK). Having said that, I think this phrase totally nails it: "If it's good enough for the Linux kernel, it's good enough for you" is a very convincing argument.

GitHub was founded in 2008. The spike is in 2010-01. That's what the question mentions too.

Re: Why did Git become so popular?

#6

Post by silverbax88 » Fri, Nov 30, 2012, 4:46 PM UTC

Having used ClearCase, CVS, Subversion, TFS, Git and Mercurial, I would have to say it's because not enough people have tried Mercurial. I have no interest in Git, but I think people like GitHub (or maybe don't know about BitBucket)

Re: Why did Git become so popular?

#7

Post by _jb » Fri, Nov 30, 2012, 4:49 PM UTC

I don't know when that was, but at some point the rails (sexy) community pushed for git. That sure helped.

Edit: no pun intended ;)

Re: Why did Git become so popular?

#8

Post by debacle » Fri, Nov 30, 2012, 4:49 PM UTC

silverbax88 wrote: post #6

Having used ClearCase, CVS, Subversion, TFS, Git and Mercurial, I would have to say it's because not enough people have tried Mercurial. I have no interest in Git, but I think people like GitHub (or maybe don't know about BitBucket)

Which tool do you prefer the most?

Re: Why did Git become so popular?

#9

Post by shantanubala » Fri, Nov 30, 2012, 4:50 PM UTC

ashishgandhi wrote: post #5

fbuilesv wrote: post #2

I think the current answer fails to mention two important things: 1. GitHub. 2. Linus himself wrote it (the kernel previously used BitKeeper but that never got any real traction AFAIK). Having said that, I think this phrase totally nails it: "If it's good enough for the Linux kernel, it's good enough for you" is a very convincing argument.

GitHub was founded in 2008. The spike is in 2010-01. That's what the question mentions too.

I'd argue that GitHub became really good 2010-01. It takes a certain number of early adopters to group together before the social features finally become useful for everyone.

Re: Why did Git become so popular?

#10

Post by pooriaazimi » Fri, Nov 30, 2012, 4:51 PM UTC

silverbax88 wrote: post #6

Having used ClearCase, CVS, Subversion, TFS, Git and Mercurial, I would have to say it's because not enough people have tried Mercurial. I have no interest in Git, but I think people like GitHub (or maybe don't know about BitBucket)

To be fair, BitBucket was way uglier than GitHub until very recently (latest redesign). That's a turn-off for most people (unfortunately).

The new BitBucket is awesome, though.