Why Git Subtree Requires Explicit Installation: Understanding Its Role and How It Becomes a Core Git Command

Git is a powerful and widely-used version control system, essential for developers working on a wide range of projects. One of the many tools in its arsenal is Git Subtree, a command that offers a more flexible way to manage subprojects within a Git repository. Despite its usefulness, Git Subtree is not bundled with Git by default and must be explicitly installed by users. In this article, we will dive deep into why Git Subtree requires explicit installation, how it differs from other Git features like Git Submodules, and how optional Git commands can eventually become part of the core Git command set.

The Evolution of Git Subtree

Git, initially created by Linus Torvalds in 2005 to support the development of the Linux kernel, was designed with flexibility in mind. Over time, the Git community has continuously added new features and tools to meet the evolving needs of developers. Git Subtree is one of those tools that was not part of the original set of Git features but gained popularity due to its ability to manage code dependencies and subprojects more easily than Git Submodules.

While Git Submodules allow you to manage sub-projects in Git repositories, they have limitations and complexities…