DevOps:
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Here
we go with
a dive into DevOps — what it means, how it works, and how applying it
ensures the output of functioning software and systems, and avoids
meltdowns like those caused by CrowdStrike’s rollout of insufficiently
tested patches:
Origin and Philosophy: "DevOps" is a portmanteau of "development" and "operations." DevOps is a collection of techniques that merge software development and IT operations in order to reduce the time it takes to develop software, patches, and updates, and ensure ongoing delivery of high-quality software. DevOps comprises cultural values, methods, and tools with the goal of helping organizations deliver applications and services quickly, making improvements at a faster rate than those following traditional software development and infrastructure management methods. It fosters a thriving culture where developers and operations employees collaborate closely from start to finish in the software development process. Key Tenets: 1. Collaboration and Communication: DevOps champions an environment where developers and operations professionals work side by side, sharing responsibilities and knowledge. This synergy helps in breaking down barriers and fostering a culture of collaboration. 2. Automation: By automating deployment pipelines, testing, and infrastructure management, organizations can reduce human error, speed up delivery, and free up time for more strategic work. 3. Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD): This practice involves merging code changes into a shared repository frequently and automating the build, test, and deployment process. This enables teams to identify and address issues early, ensuring that software can be reliably released at any time. CI/CD relates to automation and DevSecOps in that by automating security checks and integrating them into the CI/CD pipeline, organizations can identify and rectify bugs earlier in the development process. Automated tools such as static application security testing (SAST), dynamic application security testing (DAST), and security scanning can detect potential vulnerabilities and provide immediate feedback to developers. 4. Infrastructure as Code (IaC): IaC means treating infrastructure as a codebase that can be version-controlled and automated, facilitating rapid deployment and scaling. 5. Monitoring and Feedback Loops: Implement real-time monitoring of applications and infrastructure to gather data for continuous improvement and rapid problem resolution. 6. Security (DevSecOps): Encourage developers to follow secure coding practices like input validation, error handling, and the principle of least privilege to greatly reduce the number and severity of security-related bugs. Training programs can help developers understand common vulnerabilities and learn how to write more secure code. DevSecOps should follow the “Shift-left Security” principle, which means incorporating security practices at the earliest stages of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). By embedding security in the planning and coding phases, it becomes an integral part of the development process rather than a gatekeeper function at the end. This approach facilitates the early identification and resolution of issues, which are less costly and time-consuming to address. 7. Continuous Learning and Improvement: Good DevOps teams embrace a culture of learning and experimentation, where failures are seen as opportunities for growth. This process This process results in a continuous cycle of getting better by refining and improving practices based on feedback and results. 8. Agile Methodologies: Agile methodologies, such as Scrum and Kanban, are commonly used in good DevOps settings. These practices promote the incremental and iterative creation of software, highlighting flexibility and the accelerated ability to adapt to change. 9. Microservices Architecture: This design divides applications into smaller parts that can be easily managed by small teams, which works well with the DevOps approach. 10. Tools and Technologies: Jenkins for CI/CD, Docker for containerization, and Kubernetes for orchestration are just some of the tools that assist DevOps teams with automating and streamlining different phases of the software delivery process. Conclusion: By applying these principles and practices, software companies can develop better software with fewer bugs, and have fewer bugs in the DevOps process itself, and so avoid catastrophes. DevOps transcends combining development and operations. It involves a complete cultural change that emphasizes teamwork, automation, and ongoing enhancements to provide faster and more dependable software. By following its main principles, companies can create a more flexible and efficient IT system that can adapt to the requirements of the modern era especially at global scale. https://andrewtetzeli.substack.com/p/devops-best-practices  |
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