Git Large File Storage (LFS) is an open-source Git extension for versioning large files. It replaces large files such as audio samples, videos, datasets, and graphics with text pointers inside Git, while storing the file contents on a remote server like GitHub.com or GitHub Enterprise.
Git LFS is designed to tackle the problems associated with versioning large files. It optimizes the process of working with large files and large repositories by replacing the large files with pointers in the Git repository and storing the actual file content on a separate server. This allows users to clone repositories more quickly, as they only need to download the versions of large files that they actually use.
Definition and Explanation
Git LFS is an extension to Git that changes the way large files are handled. Instead of storing the binary file in the Git repository, Git LFS stores a pointer to the file. This pointer is a small text file that contains information about the large file, such as its size and location on the LFS server.
The actual contents of the large file are stored on a separate server, often referred to as the LFS server. When a user clones a repository, they only download the small pointer files by default. The contents of the large files are downloaded only when they are checked out, which can significantly speed up the cloning process for large repositories.
How Git LFS Works
Git LFS works by introducing a new type of object to Git: the LFS object. An LFS object is a small text file that contains a pointer to a large file. When a user adds a large file to a repository, Git LFS replaces the file with an LFS object in the Git repository. The actual file is stored on the LFS server.
When a user clones a repository, they only download the LFS objects by default. The contents of the large files are downloaded only when they are checked out. This can significantly speed up the cloning process for large repositories. When a user checks out a file, Git LFS downloads the file from the LFS server and replaces the LFS object with the actual file.
History of Git LFS
Git LFS was announced by GitHub in April 2015 as a solution to the problems associated with versioning large files in Git. The project was developed in collaboration with Atlassian, Microsoft, and other members of the Git community. It was released as open-source software under the MIT license.
Since its initial release, Git LFS has been adopted by a wide range of organizations and projects. It is used by game developers, scientists, and artists to version large assets, datasets, and other large files. Git LFS is also used by many open-source projects to version large files.
Development and Contributions
Git LFS is developed as an open-source project on GitHub. The project is maintained by a team of developers from GitHub, Atlassian, and other organizations. Contributions to Git LFS are welcome and can be made by submitting a pull request on GitHub.
Since its initial release, Git LFS has received contributions from hundreds of developers. These contributions have added new features, improved performance, and fixed bugs. The project has a vibrant community of users and contributors who help to improve Git LFS and make it a better tool for versioning large files.
Use Cases of Git LFS
Git LFS is used in a wide range of industries and fields where large files need to be versioned. Some of the most common use cases for Git LFS include game development, scientific research, and media production.
In game development, Git LFS is often used to version large assets such as 3D models, textures, and audio files. These files can be several gigabytes in size, and versioning them in a regular Git repository would be impractical. Git LFS allows these files to be versioned efficiently, making it easier for teams to collaborate on game development projects.
Scientific Research
In scientific research, Git LFS is often used to version large datasets. These datasets can be several terabytes in size, and versioning them in a regular Git repository would be impractical. Git LFS allows these datasets to be versioned efficiently, making it easier for researchers to collaborate on projects.
Git LFS also makes it possible to track changes to datasets over time. This can be useful in fields like genomics, where researchers often need to compare different versions of a dataset to identify changes and trends.
Media Production
In media production, Git LFS is often used to version large media files such as video and audio files. These files can be several gigabytes in size, and versioning them in a regular Git repository would be impractical. Git LFS allows these files to be versioned efficiently, making it easier for teams to collaborate on media production projects.
Git LFS also makes it possible to track changes to media files over time. This can be useful in fields like film production, where teams often need to compare different versions of a video file to identify changes and improvements.
Examples of Git LFS Usage
Git LFS is used by a wide range of organizations and projects. Here are a few specific examples of how Git LFS is used in practice.
The Unity game engine uses Git LFS to version large assets. Unity provides a Git LFS server that developers can use to store their assets. This allows developers to version their assets efficiently and collaborate with others on their projects.
Scientific Research at CERN
The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) uses Git LFS to version large datasets. CERN generates massive amounts of data from its experiments, and Git LFS allows this data to be versioned efficiently. This makes it easier for researchers to collaborate on projects and track changes to datasets over time.
Git LFS also makes it possible for CERN to share its data with researchers around the world. Researchers can clone the Git repositories that contain the data, and download the datasets as they need them.
Media Production at Pixar
Pixar uses Git LFS to version large media files. Pixar produces high-quality animated films, and the files used in the production process can be several gigabytes in size. Git LFS allows these files to be versioned efficiently, making it easier for teams to collaborate on film production projects.
Git LFS also makes it possible for Pixar to track changes to media files over time. This can be useful in the film production process, where teams often need to compare different versions of a video file to identify changes and improvements.
Conclusion
Git LFS is a powerful tool for versioning large files. It is used in a wide range of industries and fields, from game development and scientific research to media production. By replacing large files with small pointer files in the Git repository, Git LFS makes it possible to version large files efficiently and collaborate on large projects.
Whether you're a game developer, a scientist, or a media producer, Git LFS can make your work easier. If you're working with large files and need a way to version them efficiently, consider using Git LFS.