How to Install Git on Debian 10

Ashutosh Roy Choudhury -

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Introduction

Before we go into how to install Git on Debian 10, it's important to first understand - what is Git?

Git is a popular open-source distributed version control system that can handle a wide range of projects, from small to large, quickly and efficiently. It stands out since it is user-friendly and simple to understand.

In this tutorial, you will install Git on Debian 10. We will also address a few FAQs on how to install Git on Debian 10.

Advantages of Git

  1. Version Control: Git allows easy tracking and management of project versions, enabling developers to collaborate, revert changes, and handle conflicts effectively.
  2. Distributed Workflow: Git's decentralized architecture allows developers to work offline, commit changes locally, and synchronize with remote repositories effortlessly.
  3. Speed and Efficiency: Git's lightweight design offers quick operations, ensuring fast commits, branching, and merging, resulting in efficient development workflows.
  4. Branching and Merging: Git's powerful branching feature facilitates parallel development and seamless merging of code, enabling easier collaboration and experimentation.
  5. Community Support: Git enjoys a large and active community, providing resources, tutorials, and support, which contribute to its widespread adoption and ease of use.

Install Git on Debian 10

The apt package manager can be used to install the Git package, which is included in Debian's default repositories. Another alternative is to construct Git from the source, which will allow you to install the most recent Git version while also allowing you to specify the build options.

We'll use the apt package manager to install git in this tutorial. Simply run the following commands as a user with sudo privileges to complete the installation:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install git

Print the Git version to verify the installation:

git --version

The current version of Git available in the Debian Buster repositories at the time of writing this article is 2.34.1:

Output

git version 2.34.1

That's all there is to it; you've now successfully installed Git on your Debian system.

Configuring Git

It's a good idea to set your Git commit email and username now that you've installed Git. Run the following instructions to accomplish this:

git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "youremail@yourdomain.com"

The following command can be used to validate the changes:

git config --list

Output

user.name=Your Name
user.email=youremail@yourdomain.com

The /.gitconfig file contains the configuration settings:

[user]
    name = Your Name
    email = youremail@yourdomain.com

You can modify the /.gitconfig file with your text editor or use the git config command to make other changes to your Git configuration.

Updating Git

When a new version of Git is added to the normal Debian repository, you can use your desktop's standard Software Update utility or perform the following commands in your terminal to update the Git package:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

FAQs to Install Git on Debian 10

Can I install a specific version of Git on Debian 10? 

Yes, you can. Use the command sudo apt install git=version_number to install a specific version, replacing "version_number" with the desired Git version.

What is the difference between installing Git via apt and compiling from source? 

Installing via apt is easier and more convenient, while compiling from source allows you to get the latest version and customize the installation.

Are there any additional packages or dependencies needed to install Git on Debian 10? 

No, Git has minimal dependencies, and the default installation package includes everything you need.

Can I use Git on Debian 10 without root or administrative privileges? 

Yes, you can use Git without administrative privileges. It only requires read and write access to your repository.

Does installing Git on Debian 10 require an internet connection? 

Yes, an internet connection is required to download and install Git using the apt package manager.

Can I install Git on Debian 10 using a graphical user interface (GUI)? 

Yes, you can use package managers like Synaptic or GNOME Software for a GUI-based installation of Git on Debian 10.

Where can I find documentation or guides to help me get started with Git on Debian 10? 

You can refer to the official documentation at git-scm.com, or explore various online tutorials and guides available for Git on Debian 10.

Conclusion

It only takes a single command to install Git on Debian Buster.

Leave a comment below if you run into any issues or have any feedback.