github.com

github.com
Name	GitHub
Developer	Microsoft
Released	April 2008
Repository	git
Programming language	Ruby, Go, JavaScript
License	Proprietary

github.com

GitHub is a web-based platform for hosting and collaborating on Git repositories, widely used by developers, organizations, researchers, and institutions. Founded by Tom Preston-Werner, Chris Wanstrath, PJ Hyett, and Scott Chacon, it became a central hub for open-source projects such as Linux kernel, React (JavaScript library), TensorFlow, Ruby on Rails, and Kubernetes. GitHub integrates with services and tools from Travis CI, CircleCI, Jenkins (software), GitLab, and Bitbucket, and interacts with ecosystems around npm, PyPI, Maven Central, Docker Hub, and Homebrew.

History

GitHub was launched in April 2008 by founders including Tom Preston-Werner and Chris Wanstrath, following the rise of Git created by Linus Torvalds and adoption by projects like the Linux kernel. Early growth involved migration from systems like Subversion and CVS used by projects such as Apache HTTP Server and Mozilla Firefox. Significant milestones include the acquisition of organizations and projects such as Atom (text editor) and integration with OAuth standards from entities like Twitter and Facebook Platform. GitHub's community milestones were influenced by events such as the Heartbleed disclosure and the adoption of continuous integration practices championed by projects like Travis CI. In 2018 GitHub was acquired by Microsoft from investors including Sequoia Capital and Andreessen Horowitz, affecting relationships with platforms like Azure and competitors like GitLab. Policy and legal moments involved controversies linked to DMCA takedown notices, interactions with governments including United States agencies, and community responses reminiscent of reactions seen in events like the Streisand effect.

Features and services

GitHub provides hosting for Git repositories with features including pull requests inspired by workflows from projects like Linux kernel, issue tracking similar to systems used by JIRA (software), integrated code review used by teams at Google and Facebook, and project boards comparable to Trello. Continuous integration and deployment integrations connect to services like Travis CI, CircleCI, Jenkins (software), GitHub Actions, and cloud providers including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. Package registries support ecosystems such as npm, PyPI, Maven Central, and RubyGems. Collaboration tools support organizations like NASA, National Institutes of Health, European Space Agency, and companies like Netflix and Airbnb. Educational programs mirror initiatives by GitHub Education and partnerships with institutions like Harvard University, MIT, and Stanford University. Security features include code scanning comparable to tools from Snyk, Veracode, and SonarQube, dependency alerts referencing advisories from CVE and National Vulnerability Database.

Technology and architecture

GitHub's platform is built on Git and originally implemented using Ruby on Rails, with performance-critical components rewritten in Go (programming language) and Rust (programming language) in some services, following patterns used by Google and Facebook for scalability. The backend infrastructure uses technologies and services from Amazon Web Services, database systems akin to MySQL, caching strategies like those used with Redis, search capabilities similar to Elasticsearch, and containerization practices influenced by Docker (software) and orchestration strategies from Kubernetes. Authentication integrates with standards and providers such as OAuth, SAML, and LDAP, and supports single sign-on used by enterprises like IBM and Salesforce. Networking and content delivery use approaches paralleling Content Delivery Network providers such as Cloudflare and Akamai.

Business model and ownership

GitHub operates a freemium model offering free accounts for public repositories and paid plans for private repositories and enterprise features, competing with firms like GitLab and Bitbucket (Atlassian). Revenue streams include GitHub Enterprise subscriptions adopted by corporations like Microsoft, IBM, Goldman Sachs, and government agencies in countries including the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany. The 2018 acquisition by Microsoft followed investment patterns similar to deals by Sequoia Capital and Andreessen Horowitz and positioned GitHub alongside Azure DevOps and Visual Studio in Microsoft's portfolio. GitHub Sponsors and marketplace integrations mirror monetization strategies used by platforms such as Patreon and Stripe.

Security and privacy

Security features include two-factor authentication modeled after recommendations from NIST, code scanning and secret scanning comparable to offerings from Snyk and Black Duck (software); incident responses have involved coordination with organizations like CERT Coordination Center and disclosures tracked via CVE. Privacy and data handling are subject to laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation and regulations in jurisdictions like the European Union and United States. High-profile incidents and legal actions have drawn attention similar to cases involving Apple Inc. and Google LLC, prompting enhancements to policies on DMCA, content moderation, and export controls influenced by statutes like the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and international trade regulations.

Community and ecosystem

GitHub hosts millions of users and repositories, nurturing communities around projects like Linux kernel, Node.js, Python (programming language), Ruby (programming language), React (JavaScript library), TensorFlow, Kubernetes, and organizations such as Apache Software Foundation, Linux Foundation, Mozilla Foundation, Free Software Foundation, and Eclipse Foundation. Events and collaborations occur at conferences and meetups similar to FOSDEM, PyCon, JSConf, KubeCon, and Grace Hopper Celebration. The ecosystem includes integrations with developer tools from JetBrains, Visual Studio Code, Eclipse (software) and package managers like npm, pip, and Maven. Educational outreach involves partnerships with universities including Harvard University, MIT, Stanford University, Carnegie Mellon University, and initiatives in open science supported by institutions like National Institutes of Health and European Research Council.

Category:Software hosting services