This is the original README for Git, Linus Torvalds' revolutionary version control system that introduced a content-addressable object database using SHA1 hashes. It describes Git's core architecture with objects (blobs, trees, commits) stored as compressed, hash-verified entities, establishing the foundation for modern distributed version control. The document reveals Git's humble beginnings and technical philosophy as a 'stupid but extremely fast' content tracker.
Background
Git is a distributed version control system created by Linus Torvalds in 2005 for Linux kernel development, which has since become the standard for software version control worldwide. This document represents the original technical specification and philosophy behind Git's revolutionary content-addressable storage system.
- Source
- Lobsters
- Published
- May 3, 2026 at 06:06 PM
- Score
- 9.0 / 10