DevOps for StartUp: CI/CD approach for an application delivery
CI/CD is a development and delivery model that aims to improve the quality and speed of software projects by integrating the principles of continuous integration and delivery.
It was initially developed for use within the tech sector but has since become commonplace within the broader business world. As a model, it attempts to remove as many barriers to the delivery of software as possible.
A typical CI/CD model for a web application project might look like this:
A developer works on a new feature, The feature is tested, The feature is deployed, The feature is monitored for performance and any bugs, and The results of the performance and bug checks are integrated into the project’s velocity, After the velocity is done, the project is either delivered or, in the event of a bug, fixed and deployed again. In this model, the process of deployment is broken down into a series of simple, repeatable steps that ensure flawless delivery. This means that even if you are not a pro, you will be able to build and deploy applications with ease.
However, as with any new development model, there are some things that you need to keep in mind so that you can utilize the full potential of the methodology.
Planning Your Strategy
Before you start, it’s important to have a clear picture of what you are trying to achieve. What is the quality of the software you are producing? How much time do you have to spend on the project? How much money are you willing to spend? These are all important questions to ask yourself, but they are also helpful for you to ask others. It’s important to find out what you are capable of, but it’s also important to have a vision of what you want to achieve.
Use The Right Toolchain For The Job
There will always be a toolchain involved in your projects, but you need to focus on one that is appropriate for the job at hand. If you have a team of developers all using different IDEs and operating systems, it can be tricky to manage their workflow effectively. That is why you need to ensure that you are using the right set of tools for the job. In this case, the job was to build a website at the highest quality and speed possible, so the tools needed to facilitate that are completely different from the ones needed to build a mobile app. On the other hand, if you are a one-man band, you may not need as many high-end tools as a team of developers would require.
Prioritize Your Efforts
The most important thing to do if you want to be successful is to focus on the things that are most important to you. You need to pick your battles wisely. There are many things that a successful business can offer that will make you go “Wow!” However, if you are not careful, these things can quickly turn into a “cat-and-mouse” game with you in the role of the mouse chasing the cat all over the place. Make sure that you focus on the things that are most important to you and do your best to automate as much as possible. Automation may be in the form of scripts or tools that can take care of much of the routine work for you so that you can focus on the things that matter.
Manifest Every Detail
“Manifest” is a word used within the world of software delivery to denote the complete description of a project. This includes the name of the project, its description, the link to the repository where the project can be found, as well as the list of all the files that make up the project. Having an accurate and complete project manifest ensures that everyone involved in the project can find what they need when they need it. It also makes it much easier to keep track of what is part of the project and what is not. Furthermore, you can utilize tools like Jenkins to ensure that your project’s manifest is always up to date with the latest version available.
Don’t Be Fooled By False Promises
Another important thing to keep in mind is that, in a world of infinite choices, often the easiest option can seem like the best option at the time. However, if you find yourself in a situation where you are being fooled, it is important to remember that there is no such thing as the perfect solution. In these situations, you will either need to go back to basics and try again or, in the event of a bug, you will need to find a proper fix.
Get Everything In Writing
One of the biggest mistakes that you can make is to assume that everything will work out fine without actually getting everything in writing. This can often lead to misunderstandings and hurt feelings. Even if you are not the type of person who usually likes to get everything in writing, it is still important to do so in this case. You can use contracts or a simple “terms and conditions” document to spell out the scope of the project and the respective responsibilities of all parties.
Use Separate Repositories For Code And Data
Often, people will group their code and data in the same repository. While this may seem convenient, doing so can have its downsides. One of the most important things to keep in mind is that code and data should always be kept separate. If you use a private repository for your code, you can ensure that no other developer can check it out and modify it. This also means that if you do encounter a bug, it will be much easier to find and fix.
Furthermore, if you are using a versioned SCM (such as Git), you can keep track of all the changes made to the code base by each developer throughout history. This can help you find out who is responsible for what changes and when. It also helps ensure that your code is always up to date with the latest industry standards.
Deployment Is The Key
While continuous integration and delivery is a great way to improve the quality of your project, it is still only half the battle. To be successful, you will need to focus on the part that matters most: getting the software out there and being able to support it once it is. This means that you need to be able to deploy the software with ease. To achieve this, you will need to use tools like Ansible or Kubernetes.
However, if you are new to this, it might be a good idea to start by deploying simple applications manually. Once you have gotten the hang of it, you can start using Ansible or Kubernetes to deploy additional applications. This is also a great way to learn more about the world of software delivery and how to make the most of your CI/CD platform.
As you can see, there are many things that you can do to ensure that your CI/CD approach optimizes your project’s output and minimizes the amount of work needed in the future. Make sure that you put in the necessary time and effort to get everything in writing and everything is accounted for. This will help ensure that your projects run more smoothly and that everyone is working toward the same goal.
