Difference between tag and release in github

On GitHub, "releases" and "tags" are related concepts used to mark specific points in a repository's history, often for the purpose of versioning software. However, they serve different purposes and offer different features. Here's a detailed explanation of the differences between the two:

Tags

1. Purpose:

   • Tags are used to mark specific points in a repository's history. They are often used to denote important points such as version numbers (e.g., v1.0, v2.1.3).

2. Lightweight vs. Annotated:

   • Lightweight Tags: These are simple references to a specific commit. They just point to a commit and don’t store any additional metadata.
   • Annotated Tags: These are stored as full objects in the Git database. They include metadata such as the tagger's name, email, date, and a tagging message. They can also be cryptographically signed.

3. Creation:

   • Lightweight Tag: Created using git tag <tagname>.
   • Annotated Tag: Created using git tag -a <tagname> -m "Message".

4. Usage:

   • Tags are used internally by Git for various purposes, such as marking releases or other significant points in the repository.

5. Commands:

   • List Tags: git tag
   • Create Lightweight Tag: git tag v1.0
   • Create Annotated Tag: git tag -a v1.0 -m "Version 1.0 release"
   • Push Tags to Remote: git push origin <tagname>

Releases

1. Purpose:

   • Releases are a GitHub-specific feature that builds on top of Git tags. They provide a way to package and distribute software at specific points in the repository’s history. Releases can include compiled binaries, release notes, and additional metadata.

2. Association with Tags:

   • Each release is associated with a specific tag in the repository. Creating a release automatically creates a corresponding annotated tag if one doesn’t already exist.

3. Features:

   • Release Notes: You can add detailed release notes that describe the changes and features in the release.
   • Binaries/Assets: You can upload binary files or other assets (e.g., installers, tarballs, zip files) that users can download.
   • Changelog: GitHub can automatically generate parts of the changelog based on pull requests and issues closed since the last release.

4. Creation:

   • Releases are created via the GitHub web interface, although they can also be managed via the GitHub API.
   • On the repository page, go to the "Releases" section and click "Draft a new release". Choose an existing tag or create a new one, add release notes, upload binaries if needed, and publish the release.

5. Visibility:

   • Releases provide a more user-friendly way for end-users to download and use your software. They offer a central place to find information about what has changed in each version.