Which feature of Git allows developers to make local copies of a repository?

Cloning is the feature of Git that allows developers to create a local copy of a repository. When a developer clones a repository, they obtain a complete snapshot of the repository, including all its files, commit history, and branches. This local copy enables the developer to work independently on their changes, without requiring constant access to the original repository.

Cloning is especially useful for collaboration because it allows multiple developers to work on their own versions of the project simultaneously. They can make changes at their own pace and later synchronize their work with the original repository through pushing or merging.

In contrast, forking typically refers to the process of creating a personal copy of someone else's repository on platforms like GitHub, often for the purpose of proposing changes or contributing back to the original project, without directly impacting the original repository. Pushing involves sending local commits to the remote repository and does not create a local copy. Branching allows developers to diverge from the main line of development by creating a parallel track in the repository, but it does not create a separate copy of the repository as cloning does.