DevOps

In the ever-evolving world of software development, it is paramount to efficiently and reliably transition code from the developer’s keyboard to the customer’s hands. A practice that bridges the gap between development and operations and offers a solution is DevOps. Embracing a set of principles and practices, DevOps streamlines the software delivery process, fostering collaboration, automation, and continuous improvement. Now, let’s delve into a typical DevOps process, outlining its key stages and how they contribute to smoother delivery and a better user experience.

1. Development:

   The journey begins in the development environment, where developers write, test, and refine code to create new features or enhancements. This initial stage involves utilizing tools like version control systems to manage code changes and track progress.

2. Extraction from Dev:

   Once code is deemed ready for testing, it is extracted from the development environment and prepared for deployment to a testing environment. This crucial step may involve packaging the code into deployable artifacts, such as containers or executable files.

3. Deploy to Test:

   Subsequently, deploy the code to a dedicated testing environment where it undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it is free of defects and meets quality standards. This pivotal stage often involves automated testing tools and manual testing by quality assurance professionals.

4. Testing:

   Conduct comprehensive testing to identify any bugs, performance issues, or functional discrepancies. In case issues arise, provide feedback to developers for necessary code adjustments.

5. Failed Builds Sent to Dev (if applicable):

   If testing reveals significant failures, promptly send the code back to the development team for further refinement. This iterative feedback loop ensures code quality and prevents problems from reaching production.

6. Successful Builds Proceed to Preprod:

   Code that successfully passes testing moves to a pre-production environment, closely mirroring the production environment. This stage allows for final verification and validation before public release.

7. Preprod Verification:

   In the pre-production phase, thoroughly test the code in a production-like setting to ensure compatibility and smooth operation. This involves user acceptance testing, integration testing, and performance testing.

8. Deploy to Prod:

   Once pre-production verification is successful, deploy the code to the production environment, making it accessible to end users.

9. Postprod Verification:

   Even after deployment, ongoing monitoring and continuous feedback collection are crucial. This stage involves monitoring application performance, identifying any post-deployment issues, and gathering user feedback for future iterations.

10. Production:

    The code now resides in the live production environment, serving its intended purpose and delivering value to users.

11. Maintenance:

    Ongoing maintenance and updates are essential to ensure the application’s health, security, and relevance. This involves addressing any issues that arise, implementing security patches, and releasing new features or enhancements.