What is version control in software development?

Version control in software development refers to a system that tracks changes to code over time. This system allows developers to keep a history of modifications made to their codebase, including additions, deletions, and revisions. By using version control, individuals or teams can collaborate more effectively, as they can view changes made by others, revert to previous versions of the code if necessary, and manage different versions of a project simultaneously.

This functionality is crucial for identifying when specific features were added or bugs were introduced, promoting accountability and improving project organization. Developers can also branch off from the main codebase to work on new features independently without affecting the stability of the original code, and later merge these changes back into the main branch when they are ready.

In contrast, formatting code primarily pertains to adjusting its layout and style for readability, which doesn't involve tracking changes. Deploying applications focuses on distributing software to users or environments, and managing APIs involves handling interactions between different software applications, neither of which relate to tracking changes in code.