The purpose of version control in programming is to manage changes to a codebase over time. It allows developers to track modifications, collaborate effectively, and maintain a history of the project. With version control systems like Git, multiple contributors can work simultaneously without overwriting each other’s changes. It enables developers to rollback to previous versions, creating a safety net to recover from errors or bugs. Additionally, version control facilitates code reviews and branching, encouraging structured experimentation with new features while preserving the main codebase. Ultimately, it fosters better collaboration and project management in software development.