DevOps 101: Navigating the What, Why, When and Who?
Table of contents
What is DevOps?
DevOps is a combination of culture, practices and tools that aims to increase the ability to deliver application in automated and efficient manner.
Let's break down the key components:
Culture: DevOps is about teamwork. It encourages developers and operations teams to work together, share responsibilities, and be transparent. The focus is on delivering value to the end users.
Practices: DevOps uses smart ways of working. It includes continuous integration (code changes regularly), continuous delivery/deployment (making releases regularly and smoother), and continuous monitoring (keeping an eye on how things are working). These practices ensure that software changes happen smoothly and reliably.
Tools: DevOps uses many helpful tools. Think of them like assistants. These tools automate tasks and support different stages of making software. Examples are Git for managing code changes, Jenkins for continuous integration, Ansible for managing configurations, and Docker for packaging and deploying applications.
Why DevOps?
The main goals of DevOps are to:
Increase the speed of software delivery
Achieve a higher frequency of releases
Ensure the stability, availability and reliability of the software being developed.
Foster collaboration between development and operations teams
Automate manual processes for efficiency
Enable quicker responses to customer needs and market changes.
When DevOps?
DevOps can be used in environments where there's a need for frequent software releases, quick response to market changes, and a focus on delivering value to users.
Who is a DevOps Engineer?
A DevOps Engineer is a professional who understands the principles and practices of software development and IT operations. DevOps Engineers work to bridge the gap between these two teams, aiming to create a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility. DevOps Engineer uses automation tools to streamline processes, manage infrastructure as code, and ensure the smooth and efficient delivery of software.