A Version Control System (VCS) is a tool that helps manage changes to files over time. It allows multiple users to collaborate on projects by tracking modifications, enabling them to revert to previous versions if needed. This is especially useful in software development, where many people may work on the same codebase.
There are two main types of VCS: centralized and distributed. In a centralized system, like Subversion, a single server stores all versions of files. In contrast, a distributed system, such as Git, allows each user to have a complete copy of the project history on their local machine, enhancing collaboration and flexibility.