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Git

Git is a distributed version control system created by Linus Torvalds in 2005. It allows multiple developers to collaborate on projects efficiently, tracking changes and managing different versions of code or documents. Git has become the industry standard for version control, used by millions of developers worldwide.

Why Git for the NHS?​

Git is particularly advantageous for the NHS because it provides:

  • Collaboration: Git enables teams to work together seamlessly on code and documentation, regardless of their physical location. This is particularly valuable for the geographically dispersed NHS, allowing staff across different trusts and regions to contribute to shared projects12.
  • Version History: Git tracks changes over time, allowing easy rollbacks if needed. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity of clinical guidelines, protocols, and software systems used in healthcare settings1.
  • Transparency: Git provides a clear history of who made what changes and when, enhancing accountability and facilitating audits. This aligns with the NHS's commitment to transparency and best practices in healthcare delivery34.
  • Security: Git supports secure, distributed backups of critical code and documents. This is essential for protecting sensitive healthcare data and ensuring business continuity.
  • Open-source compatibility: Git aligns with NHS efforts to embrace open-source technologies. The NHS is increasingly recognizing the value of open-source solutions for cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and community-driven improvements1.

Getting Started with Git​

To begin using Git, you need to install it on your system and set up a repository for your project.

Installation and Setup​

  1. Install Git:

    • Download and install Git from git-scm.com.
    • Follow the installation instructions for your operating system.

  2. Configure Git:

    git config --global user.name "Your Name"
    git config --global user.email "your.email@example.com"

  3. Initialize a New Repository:

    mkdir my-nhs-project
    cd my-nhs-project
    git init

For a more comprehensive guide tailored to NHS projects, including best practices and detailed explanations, we highly recommend following the excellent resource provided by the NHS Digital RAP Community of Practice: Introduction to Git - NHS Digital RAP Community of Practice

Basic Git Concepts​

  • Repository: A repository, often called a repo, is a project's folder containing all files and version history. It's the core unit of storage in Git, encompassing the entire project and its history56.
  • Commit: A commit is a snapshot of changes made to the repository at a specific point in time. It represents a set of modifications to one or more files, along with metadata such as the author, timestamp, and a descriptive message57.
  • Branch: A branch is a separate line of development that can be merged back into the main project. It allows developers to work on different features or experiments without affecting the main codebase. Branches are lightweight and easy to create and merge in Git57.
  • Merge: Merging is the process of combining changes from different branches. It integrates the modifications made in one branch into another, typically the main branch. Git provides various merging strategies to handle different scenarios57.
  • Pull request: A pull request is a way to propose changes and collaborate with others. It's a feature commonly used in platforms like GitHub or GitLab, allowing developers to suggest changes, review code, and discuss modifications before merging them into the main project7.

Further Learning Resources​

Footnotes​

  1. Apejoye, Oluwasegun. "Open source within the NHS - benefits and possible pitfalls" CDU Data Science Team, 2022, Link ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  2. Johnson, Scott. "Unlocking collaboration and efficiency: Introducing our organisational GitHub account and R package" NHS Midlands and Lancashire, 2024, Link ↩

  3. Anonymous. "About the GIRFT programme at NHS England" NHS England, Link ↩

  4. Pearson, Jonny. "Sharing Code in the Open" NHS England, 2021, Link ↩

  5. McDaniel, Dwayne. "Git concepts in less than 10 minutes" opensource, 2022, Link ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  6. Anonymous. "1.3 Getting Started - What is Git?" git, Link ↩

  7. Anonymous. "Useful Git Commands and Basic Concepts" git, Link ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4