What is the function of a version control system?

A version control system primarily serves the purpose of tracking changes to files over time. This allows developers to maintain a history of modifications, understand who made certain changes, and resolve conflicts that may arise from concurrent editing by multiple users. By keeping a detailed record of changes, such systems facilitate collaboration among team members and help in managing project milestones effectively.

In addition to this primary function, version control systems offer the ability to revert files to previous versions, compare changes over time, and branch code to explore new features without affecting the main development line. This is particularly important in software development, where maintaining control over code integrity and history is crucial for successful project management.

Other options presented, while relevant to software development, do not encapsulate the core function of a version control system:

Preventing malware attacks is a concern addressed by security measures and antivirus software rather than version control. Increasing programming speed might occur as a secondary effect of utilizing a version control system, but it is not the main function. Similarly, while creating backups is important, version control is more about tracking and managing changes rather than serving as a dedicated backup solution.