What is the primary function of a Git repository?

The primary function of a Git repository is to store different versions of files. Git is a version control system designed to keep track of changes in source code during software development. It allows multiple developers to work on the same codebase simultaneously while providing powerful features for branching, merging, and managing revisions. Each change or version can be saved and compared against others, making it easy to revert to previous versions or understand the history of a project.

In this context, while deploying applications, compiling code, and running automated tests are all important tasks in the software development lifecycle, they are not the core purpose of a Git repository. A repository does not handle deployment or compilation directly; these are typically done through CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment) processes or build tools. Automated tests also rely on code stored in a repository but are external processes that validate the functionality of the code. Thus, the key aspect of a Git repository is its capability to maintain a history of file changes and manage versions effectively.