DevOps, a portmanteau of 'Development' and 'Operations', is a set of practices that combines software development and IT operations. It aims to shorten the system development life cycle and provide continuous delivery with high software quality. DevOps is complementary with Agile software development; several DevOps aspects came from Agile methodology.
This glossary entry will delve into the intricacies of DevOps, its connection to Agile software development, its history, use cases, and specific examples. By the end of this glossary entry, the reader should have a comprehensive understanding of DevOps within the context of Agile software development.
Definition of DevOps
DevOps is a culture, movement, or practice that emphasizes the collaboration and communication of both software developers and other IT professionals while automating the process of software delivery and infrastructure changes. It aims to establish a culture and environment where building, testing, and releasing software can happen rapidly, frequently, and more reliably.
DevOps is not a technology, tool, or process, but rather a philosophy and culture that promotes better collaboration between the teams that create software (Dev) and the teams that are responsible for operating the software (Ops).
DevOps and Agile
DevOps and Agile are complementary strategies that work toward a common goal of delivering high-quality software quickly and continuously. Agile focuses on the processes and tools, working software, customer collaboration, and responding to change, while DevOps focuses on development and operations collaboration.
While Agile helps to manage complex projects, DevOps centralizes the focus on end-to-end software engineering processes in an Agile context. DevOps extends the Agile principles beyond the boundaries of the code to the entire delivered service.
History of DevOps
The concept of DevOps originated in 2008 when Agile software development was gaining popularity. IT professionals began to realize that Agile's efficiency and effectiveness could be extended to operations work, thus creating a more seamless and efficient end-to-end process for software development and deployment.
The term "DevOps" was coined by Patrick Debois and Andrew Clay Shafer in 2009 during a discussion about Agile infrastructure and operations. The first DevOpsDays event in Ghent, Belgium, later that year, marked the beginning of the DevOps movement.
Evolution of DevOps
Since its inception, DevOps has evolved to address various aspects of software development and operations. The evolution of DevOps can be seen in the emergence of concepts like Continuous Integration, Continuous Delivery, Infrastructure as Code, and Microservices.
Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) are practices that automate the integration of code changes from multiple contributors and the delivery of software products. Infrastructure as Code (IaC) is a practice in which infrastructure is provisioned and managed using code and software development techniques, such as version control and continuous integration. Microservices is an architectural style that structures an application as a collection of services that are highly maintainable and testable, loosely coupled, independently deployable, and organized around business capabilities.
Use Cases of DevOps
DevOps practices are used in various scenarios to improve the efficiency and quality of software development. Some of the most common use cases include cloud computing, microservices, platforms as a service, and any situation where rapid, continuous software delivery is beneficial.
For example, in cloud computing, DevOps practices can automate the process of provisioning and managing cloud resources, reducing the time and effort required to manage these resources manually. In microservices, DevOps can facilitate the continuous integration, testing, and deployment of individual services, enabling faster and more reliable software delivery.
Examples of DevOps
Many organizations have successfully adopted DevOps practices to improve their software development processes. For example, Amazon has used DevOps to automate software deployments, resulting in more frequent and reliable software releases. Netflix, another pioneer in DevOps, uses these practices to manage its vast cloud-based infrastructure and deliver content to millions of customers around the world.
Another example is Etsy, an online marketplace for handmade and vintage items, which has used DevOps practices to accelerate its software delivery process and improve the quality of its software. By implementing a culture of continuous learning and sharing, Etsy has been able to reduce the risk associated with software releases and improve its operational efficiency.
Conclusion
DevOps is a transformative approach that bridges the gap between development and operations, promoting greater efficiency, faster delivery, and higher quality in software development. While it originated from the Agile methodology, it has evolved to incorporate practices like CI/CD, IaC, and Microservices.
With its wide range of use cases and successful implementations in companies like Amazon, Netflix, and Etsy, DevOps has proven to be an effective strategy for managing modern, fast-paced software development environments. As such, understanding DevOps is crucial for anyone involved in software development, from developers and operations staff to managers and executives.