Git vs TortoiseSVN: What are the differences?

Git and TortoiseSVN are both version control systems used for managing changes in computer files. While they serve the same purpose, there are several key differences between the two.

1. Architecture: Git is a distributed version control system, meaning that each user has a complete copy of the repository. This enables users to work offline and have access to the full history of the project. On the other hand, TortoiseSVN is a centralized version control system, where a central server manages the repository and users have a local working copy.

2. Branching and Merging: Git has more advanced branching and merging capabilities compared to TortoiseSVN. Git allows for lightweight and efficient branch creation, which makes it easier to work on multiple tasks simultaneously. It also has powerful merging algorithms that can intelligently handle complex merges. TortoiseSVN, while it does support branching and merging, has a more linear approach and its merging capabilities are not as robust as Git's.

3. Performance: Git is known for its speed and efficiency. It uses a compressed binary format to store files and their history, which results in faster operations and a smaller repository size. TortoiseSVN, on the other hand, uses a centralized approach and can be slower for larger repositories or when dealing with lots of branches and merges.

4. Workflow: Git follows a flexible and decentralized workflow that allows for more independent and parallel development. Each developer can work on their own branch and easily integrate changes with others. TortoiseSVN, being centralized, requires developers to commit their changes to the main repository frequently and rely on the central server for synchronization.

5. User Interface: TortoiseSVN provides a graphical user interface (GUI) that integrates with Windows Explorer, making it easy to perform version control operations directly from the file manager. Git, on the other hand, primarily operates through the command line interface (CLI), although there are GUI tools available such as GitKraken and SourceTree.

6. Client-Server Model: TortoiseSVN relies on a client-server model, where a central server manages the repository and controls access to it. Users need to connect to the server to perform version control operations. Git, on the other hand, can be used even in a peer-to-peer manner, allowing users to clone, work on branches, and make commits locally without the need for a central server.

In summary, Git is a distributed version control system with more advanced features and faster performance, while TortoiseSVN is a centralized system with a user-friendly GUI.