* Git allows and encourages you to have multiple local branches that can be entirely independent of each other. The creation, merging, and deletion of those lines of development takes seconds. * Git is fast. With Git, nearly all operations are performed locally, giving it a huge speed advantage on centralized systems that constantly have to communicate with a server somewhere. * One of the nicest features of any Distributed SCM, Git included, is that it's distributed. This means that instead of doing a "checkout" of the current tip of the source code, you do a "clone" of the entire repository. * The data model that Git uses ensures the cryptographic integrity of every bit of your project. Every file and commit is checksummed and retrieved by its checksum when checked back out. It's impossible to get anything out of Git other than the exact bits you put in. * Git has something called the "staging area" or "index". This is an intermediate area where commits can be formatted and reviewed before completing the commit. * Git is released under the GNU General Public License version 2.0, which is an open source license. The Git project chose to use GPLv2 to guarantee your freedom to share and change free software---to make sure the software is free for all its users.

* Unifies global, distributed teams on a central configuration and release management platform. * Automates processes and tasks using the task-based configuration management (TBCM) common language, increasing developer productivity and collaboration. * Provides advanced baseline and release management capabilities to help maintain quality and avoid duplication of effort. * Helps support software reuse and component-based development for increased return on investment (ROI) and cost savings. * Delivers a highly scalable platform that integrates with other Rational software products and IBM Business Partner products.