Bitbucket is a Git-based source code repository hosting service owned by Atlassian. It provides developers with tools to manage their code, collaborate on projects, and implement version control. Bitbucket allows teams to store their code in repositories, which can be either public or private, and manage their development workflows through Git. Like other version control platforms, such as GitHub and GitLab, Bitbucket enables multiple developers to work on the same project simultaneously, track changes to the codebase, and collaborate efficiently.

One of Bitbucket's key features is its tight integration with Atlassian's suite of development tools, including Jira, Confluence, and Trello. This integration allows developers to link their code changes directly to tasks in Jira, document their workflows in Confluence, and manage project boards in Trello. This seamless connection between development and project management tools makes Bitbucket a valuable resource for teams that already use Atlassian products.

Bitbucket supports both Git and Mercurial repositories (although support for Mercurial was deprecated in 2020), making it a versatile option for teams using different version control systems. It also offers features like pull requests, which allow developers to propose changes, review code, and discuss modifications before merging them into the main branch. Bitbucket Pipelines, its integrated CI/CD tool, enables automated testing, building, and deployment of code, facilitating continuous integration and delivery.

Bitbucket Cloud is the SaaS version of the platform, allowing teams to host repositories on Atlassian’s cloud servers. Bitbucket Server, on the other hand, is an on-premise version that can be hosted in a private data center, providing more control over security and compliance.

In summary, Bitbucket is a powerful tool for source code management and collaboration. Its integration with Atlassian’s ecosystem, support for Git, and built-in CI/CD features make it an essential platform for modern development teams.