DevOps (Development Operations) Part 1: Introduction

The word DevOps can itself be threatening to many people. Even for many people within the IT industry, it is not easy to explain on what devops is. 

Even my eventual crossing with devops was due to another technology called cloud computing (which we will get to later) 👻

What is DevOps?

DevOps is a culture and a set of practices that bridge the gap between Development and Operations. It aim to shorten the software development lifecycle while delivering features, fixes, and updates frequently in close alignment with business objectives. 

DevOps culture emphasizes collaboration, communication, and integration between software developers and IT operations. It promotes a mindset that values:

1. Collaboration

2. Continuous Improvement

3. Automation

CI/CD = Continuous Integration and Continuous Development 

is at the core of devops. It follows the scrum methodology of having short sprints to continuously deliver on products or improvements.

The DevOps lifecycle is often visualized as an infinity loop, representing a continuous and iterative process of software development and delivery. It consists of several interconnected stages: Plan, Code, Build, Test, Release, Deploy, Operate, and Monitor. 

Plan & Code: Planning features and writing the source code.

Build & Test: Compiling the code and running automated tests to ensure quality.

Release & Deploy: Moving the code into the production environment.

Operate & Monitor: Keeping the application running and watching for performance issues or errors to inform the next "Plan" phase.

How is DevOps Used in the Industry?

In the industry, DevOps is often implemented through various tools and methodologies that facilitate seamless development and operations. Here are a few examples:

1. Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD): This practice allows developers to integrate their code changes frequently and deploy them automatically to production. It’s similar to a factory assembly line, where products are assembled and shipped continuously rather than waiting for all components to be ready.

2. Infrastructure as Code (IaC): This approach involves managing and provisioning computing infrastructure through code rather than manual processes. Think of it as building a house using blueprints—once you have the right designs, you can replicate the process easily.

3. Monitoring and Feedback: DevOps encourages continuous monitoring of applications and infrastructure, enabling teams to gather feedback and make quick adjustments. This is like a pilot using radar and instruments to adjust their flight path in real-time based on weather conditions.

While the DevOps culture and tools are not easy to master, they are necessary for us to collaborate on problems, build solutions faster, and ensure that they can be resilient. DevOps is the art of turning 'us vs. them' into 'us vs. the problem'.