What Git LFS (Large File Storage) Meaning, Applications & Example
Version control system for large AI model files and datasets.
What is Git LFS (Large File Storage)?
Git LFS (Large File Storage) is an extension for Git that allows users to manage large files, such as binaries, videos, and datasets, in a more efficient way. Instead of storing the actual file contents in the Git repository, Git LFS stores a pointer to the file and the file itself is stored externally. This helps reduce the size of the repository and speeds up cloning and fetching operations.
Types of Git LFS Usage
- Version Control for Large Files: Git LFS helps version large files that would otherwise slow down the repository’s performance.
- Efficient Storage: Files like media assets or compiled code can be stored separately from source code, improving efficiency and performance.
- Collaboration on Large Projects: Git LFS enables teams to collaborate on large datasets or media files without bloating the Git repository.
Applications of Git LFS
- Game Development: Storing large game assets such as textures, 3D models, and sound files without impacting the performance of the Git repository.
- Data Science : Managing large datasets in machine learning projects, allowing the source code and data to be versioned separately.
- Software Development: Efficient handling of compiled binaries or other large files that don’t require frequent changes.
Example of Git LFS
A game development team could use Git LFS to store textures and sound effects for their game project. These large assets would be versioned separately from the codebase, reducing the repository’s size and improving the speed of version control operations.