Traditionally, software development involved several processes - development and operation teams worked separately, which made software development a delayed process. However in the modern software development process, DevOps is inevitable - with DevOps, efficiency and quality are prioritized over anything. This is made possible by merging development and operation practices, hence the name DevOps.
What is DevOps? A Brief History
DevOps is considered a separate philosophy and a culture of its own in software development. It is a practice in which development and operation teams collaborate and combine their processes and tools.
This approach towards software development and deployment helps organizations to efficiently test and deploy applications in a very short duration. DevOps culture promotes collaborations between different teams in an organization and enhances flexibility.
The emergence of DevOps can be traced back to the start of the Agile Software Development movement in the 2000s. Around 200 professionals in the industry brought up issues about the lack of functionality in the coordination between code development and the operation of the same.
Soon, developers and IT/Operation professionals collaborated to combine their processes and simplify the processes from their respective teams. What started as a movement with discussions in online forums and meet-ups is now one of the most emphasized practices in the software industry.
The Role of DevOps in Software Development
Integrating DeOps into the traditional software development process assures great results. The new methodologies assure reliable and quality applications that are developed and delivered in a short time. This section explores more on the role DevOps plays in software development and how it improves the development cycle.
The DevOps Software Development Life Cycle
The SDLC consists of many stages, like planning, coding, testing, deployment, etc. With an emphasis on the continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) methodology, the combined teams develop and deliver high-quality software and applications efficiently.
Planning
In the planning stages, the communication channels between the teams are established clearly, and the goals for the project are defined clearly. Specifications such as software requirements, design architecture, and the roadmap for the development process are established.
Along with this, teams collaborate with end-users and stakeholders to know about their expectations of the software. Once this is accomplished, the designing of software architecture and the roadmap detailing deadlines and milestones takes place. Dependencies, risks, and constraints are also defined simultaneously.
Development
The development process is where the main action takes place. Code is written, software components are created, and everything is tested and integrated into the larger process for reviews. Through transparency, DevOps ensures that tests and reviews are received immediately.
Automation is helpful in the development process as automated tools are used to build chunks of the code. Through DevOps methodologies, the development processes are made more flexible and quicker.
Quality Assurance
There are a variety of tests that come under the DevOps methodology, like unit testing, acceptance testing, and integration testing. Quality assurance is the crucial stage where the code is tested for any bugs. Only if this process is accurate and efficient, the software will be a high-quality one.
It is in the testing process that the automated tools and practices come in handy. Continuous testing is employed by DevOps methodology using automated tools. This strategy helps identify bugs at a very early stage, always making room for improvement. The different tests involved help in improving various parts of the software and the code. For example, acceptance testing focuses on the reception of the software by end-users and how it can be further improved to meet their requirements.
Deployment
The next stage in the software development process is deployment - the application is released into a live environment for users to access. Automated tools play a crucial role in this stage too. They enable quick deployment and ensure minimal downtime. By ensuring these practices, the margin of human error is reduced.
Monitoring
The monitoring stage of this process involves a variety of tools that collect real-time data and metrics. The data collected is related to the performance of the software in the environment in which it is released. The main goal of monitoring is to ensure that anomalies and errors are removed from the software. Any issues related to the performance of the software are resolved as soon as they are identified.
Why Should Organizations Adapt to DevOps?
It goes without saying that DevOps plays a very significant role in software development in any organization. However, after adopting DevOps methodologies, organizations often face hurdles. This happens often because not enough research is done before changing some of the most crucial practices of the company.
DevOps is not just about efficiency and robust software delivery - it is a cultural change that brings two tabs with different goals to work together. Ample training is required for all the tasks participating in DevOps methodologies to contribute to the success of the practices.
Here are a few reasons why organizations should switch to DevOps methodologies.
- Developing software is made more effective with DevOps. All the processes are run efficiently, thanks to automated tools and practices.
- The ultimate goal of software development is to improve customer experiences. DevOps prioritizes the same - practices like acceptance testing ensure that end-users are an active part of the process.
- As DevOps methodologies income continuous development and testing, security becomes the priority in software development.
- With efficient practices, production and development costs are reduced for the organization.
Conclusion
DevOps has become a powerful part of the software industry in the past few years. Integrating DevOps methodologies into software development processes paves the way for better results, like efficient applications released in short durations. Software development and deployment are made easier with DevOps technologies. Organizations can enjoy benefits like enhanced security, improved customer focus, and reduced development costs by prioritizing DevOps practices.
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