NestJS is a progressive Node.js framework for building efficient, reliable and scalable server-side applications. It is designed with TypeScript, but also supports pure JavaScript. This article will delve into the role of NestJS in DevOps, a set of practices that combines software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops), aimed at reducing the system development life cycle and providing continuous delivery with high software quality.
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 at establishing a culture and environment where building, testing, and releasing software can happen rapidly, frequently, and more reliably. In this context, NestJS plays a pivotal role in achieving these objectives.
Definition of NestJS in DevOps
NestJS, in the context of DevOps, can be defined as a tool used for developing backend applications in a structured and scalable manner. It is a framework that allows developers to write reusable, maintainable, and testable code, which are all key aspects in a DevOps environment. NestJS provides a level of abstraction above these common Node.js frameworks (Express/Fastify), but also exposes their APIs directly to the developer. Hence, it allows developers the freedom of using the myriad third-party modules which are available for the underlying platform.
DevOps, on the other hand, is a set of practices that aims to unify software development (Dev) and software operation (Ops). The main characteristic of DevOps is to strongly advocate automation and monitoring at all steps of software construction, from integration, testing, releasing to deployment and infrastructure management. DevOps aims at shorter development cycles, increased deployment frequency, more dependable releases, in close alignment with business objectives.
NestJS Features Beneficial for DevOps
NestJS offers several features that are beneficial for DevOps. It uses TypeScript, a statically typed superset of JavaScript, which adds reliability and maintainability to the code. TypeScript's static type-checking allows for catching errors early, a feature that is highly beneficial in a DevOps environment where rapid and frequent deployments are the norm.
Another key feature of NestJS is its modular structure. NestJS organizes code into separate modules, which ensures separation of concerns and makes the codebase more maintainable. This is particularly useful in a DevOps environment where multiple teams may be working on different features concurrently.
Role of NestJS in Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)
NestJS plays a crucial role in the Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) aspect of DevOps. NestJS's focus on testability means that it fits well into a CI/CD pipeline. Developers can write unit tests and end-to-end tests for a NestJS application, which can be automatically run in the CI/CD pipeline to ensure that the code meets quality standards before it is deployed.
Furthermore, NestJS's modular architecture means that different parts of the application can be deployed independently. This fits well with the microservices architecture that is often used in a DevOps environment, where different services are deployed and scaled independently.
History of NestJS in DevOps
NestJS was first released in 2017 by Kamil Myśliwiec. Since then, it has gained popularity for its design philosophy and its emphasis on modularity, testability, and maintainability, which align well with the principles of DevOps. NestJS was designed with typescript in mind, an intentional choice to leverage the benefits of static typing and OOP concepts in JavaScript development.
Over the years, NestJS has been adopted by many organizations that follow the DevOps model. Its features such as easy testability and modular architecture make it a good fit for DevOps practices. The use of NestJS in DevOps has grown as more and more organizations have recognized the benefits of its structure and philosophy.
Evolution of NestJS in DevOps
Since its inception, NestJS has evolved to better suit the needs of DevOps environments. It has added features such as the NestJS CLI, which simplifies the process of creating and managing NestJS applications, and the @nestjs/testing module, which provides utilities for testing NestJS applications. These features have made NestJS even more suitable for DevOps, where automation and testing are key.
Furthermore, NestJS has embraced the microservices architecture, which is commonly used in DevOps. NestJS provides first-class support for microservices, allowing developers to easily create and manage microservices within a NestJS application. This has made NestJS an even more attractive choice for DevOps environments.
Use Cases of NestJS in DevOps
NestJS is used in a variety of DevOps scenarios. One common use case is in the development of backend services for web applications. NestJS's modular architecture and support for TypeScript make it a good choice for developing complex backend services. In a DevOps environment, these services can be developed, tested, and deployed rapidly and reliably using CI/CD pipelines.
Another use case for NestJS in DevOps is in the development of microservices. NestJS's support for microservices and its emphasis on testability make it a good fit for developing microservices in a DevOps environment. With NestJS, developers can create microservices that are easy to test and deploy, and that can be scaled independently.
Examples of NestJS in DevOps
One specific example of NestJS being used in a DevOps environment is at Codelitt, a software development company. Codelitt uses NestJS for developing backend services for its products. The company uses a CI/CD pipeline for testing and deploying these services. The use of NestJS allows Codelitt to develop reliable, maintainable services rapidly and to deploy them reliably using its CI/CD pipeline.
Another example is Advertima, a company that uses AI to analyze human behavior in real-time. Advertima uses NestJS to develop microservices that are part of its AI platform. These microservices are developed, tested, and deployed using a DevOps approach, with a CI/CD pipeline for automated testing and deployment. The use of NestJS allows Advertima to develop and deploy these microservices rapidly and reliably.
Conclusion
NestJS plays a crucial role in DevOps, providing a framework for developing reliable, maintainable backend services and microservices. Its features such as support for TypeScript, modular architecture, and emphasis on testability align well with the principles of DevOps, making it a popular choice for organizations that follow the DevOps model.
As DevOps continues to evolve, it is likely that the use of NestJS in DevOps will continue to grow. Its features and philosophy make it well-suited to the demands of a DevOps environment, and its ongoing development and evolution suggest that it will continue to adapt to meet the needs of DevOps in the future.