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# Git terminology
The following are commonly-used Git terms.
## Repository
In GitLab, files are stored in a **repository**. A repository is similar to how you
store files in a folder or directory on your computer.
- A **remote repository** refers to the files in GitLab.
- A **local copy** refers to the files on your computer.
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Often, the word "repository" is shortened to "repo".
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In GitLab, a repository is contained in a **project**.
## Fork
When you want to contribute to someone else's repository, you make a copy of it.
This copy is called a [**fork**](../../user/project/repository/forking_workflow.md#creating-a-fork).
The process is called "creating a fork."
When you fork a repo, you create a copy of the project in your own
[namespace](../../user/group/#namespaces). You then have write permissions to modify the project files
and settings.
For example, you can fork this project, <https://gitlab.com/gitlab-tests/sample-project/>, into your namespace.
You now have your own copy of the repository. You can view the namespace in the URL, for example