# A Short History of Git & What is Git?

## Goal
Understand why Git was created and what problems it solves.

## Key Points
- Git was created by Linus Torvalds in 2005 for Linux kernel development.
- Core objectives: speed, data integrity, distributed workflows.
- Git stores content as snapshots (not diffs), referenced by hashes (SHA-1/SHA-256 in future).
- Distributed: every clone is a full repository with complete history.
- Common terms: repository (repo), commit, branch, tag, remote, working tree, index (staging area).

## What You Will Use
- Terminal on Ubuntu 24.04

## Check Your Shell and Basic Tools
```bash
whoami
uname -a
which git || echo "git not installed yet"
```

## Outcome
You should be able to explain what Git is, why it exists, and the difference between working tree, staging area, and repository.