Git LFS
Git LFS (Large File Storage) is an open-source extension for Git that 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. It allows developers to version control large files efficiently without bloating the Git repository, as it handles files over a specified size threshold separately. This tool integrates seamlessly with Git commands, enabling teams to manage binary assets alongside source code in a scalable way.
Developers should use Git LFS when working with projects that include large binary files, such as game development (for assets like textures and models), data science (for datasets), or multimedia applications (for audio/video files), to avoid performance issues and repository size limits. It is essential in collaborative environments where large files need versioning, as it reduces clone and fetch times while maintaining Git's workflow. Learning Git LFS is recommended for teams using Git for version control in industries like gaming, AI, or design, where binary assets are common.