GitHub

GitHub is a web-based Git repository hosting service. It offers all of the distributed revision control and source code management (SCM) functionality of Git as well as adding its own features. Unlike Git, which is strictly a command-line tool, GitHub provides a Web-based graphical interface and desktop as well as mobile integration. It also provides access control and several collaboration features such as bug tracking, feature requests, task management, and wikis for every project.

GitHub offers both plans for private repositories and free accounts, which are usually used to host open-source software projects. As of February 2016, GitHub reports having over 12 million users and over 31 million repositories, making it the largest host of source code in the world.

The trademark mascot of GitHub is Octocat, an anthropomorphized cat with octopus limbs, done in a manga style.

Services

GitHub

Development of the GitHub platform began on 1 October 2007. The site was launched in April 2008 by Tom Preston-Werner, Chris Wanstrath, and PJ Hyett after it had been made available for a few months prior as a beta period.