Continuous Integration
1. What Is CI/CD?
Continuous Integration
The goal of Continuous Integration is to produce artifacts that can be deployed quickly. Automated tests are used to verify if artifacts within code are viable for deployment. If any errors are found, they are sent back for fixes.
Continuous Delivery
All code changes are deployed as soon as they are built. It allows the developers to break down development into a step-by-step process. Developers move code from the source repository and directly into the production stage using automation techniques. This practice is known as Continuous Delivery.
2. CI/CD Tools
Here are some of the popular CI/CD tools that are used by developers engaging in CI/CD practices.
GitLab CI
GoCD
Thoughtworks introduced GoCD in a bid to bring more functionality and efficiency to the world of CI/CD development. The one big differentiator that GoCD holds is the Value Stream Map. The feature allows pipelines to be chained and creates future pipelines. The goal of GoCD is to allow independent development, and let multiple development teams work on the same project with ease. Finding bottlenecks in the development process is very easy, and modules can be reorganized for efficiency.
Travis CI
Jenkins
Jenkins is yet another project licensed by MIT. It is one of the most standard options that CI/CD adopters go for. It is designed to fix any complex configuration issues, and just like other CI/CD tools, Jenkins makes use of YAML files. Native pipeline functionality is also available, and it is very easy to navigate. Complex development processes are simplified thanks to the Cloud Native Jenkins functionality. It is one of the most innovative CI/CD tools in existence and widely used by developers.
Concourse CI
Licensed by Apache 2.0, Concourse is one of the most-used tools. Since its beta release, it has seen a large number of takers. It makes use of container-based development to make life easier for developers. The entire system makes use of microservices to allow for local development. You need a connection to the main Concourse server for local development, and you will be able to run all your builds just like a real pipeline would allow you to. Running failed builds is also possible from local systems, and you can test specific fixes.
Spinnaker
Spinnaker is a popular CI/CD tool that was used in popular applications like Netflix. It can integrate itself with other major tools like Jenkins and Travis. Spinnaker seeks to ease deployment timelines and reduce the amount of time spent on testing applications. You can also integrate the tool with industry-standard monitoring tools like Datadog and Prometheus. Spinnaker makes CI/CD a simplified process by preventing deployments from occurring during critical times during an application’s life cycle.
Screwdriver
3. What Are The Differences Between Continuous Integration, Continuous Delivery, and Continuous Deployment?
Below is a quick overview that will help you understand the difference between CI and CD (continuous delivery and continuous deployment).
Continuous Integration
Developers who make use of continuous integration practices merge changes back into the main branch as frequently as possible. The changes are validated for creating continuous builds and running tests against the current build. CI helps eliminate the integration loop that developers find themselves. Instead of waiting for the release day to merge all changes, things are done systematically throughout the development schedule.
Continuous Delivery
Continuous delivery extends as a branch of continuous integration. It allows you to release all changes made to an application directly to your customers while also maintaining sustainable development. In addition to having access to automated testing, you also automate your release schedule.
Continuous delivery allows you to release applications and updates anytime you want through a simple button press. You can choose your update schedule however, you see fit. Since the patches go into production very early, you can release small patches for your applications consistently instead of releasing large patches at one go.
Continuous Deployment
Continuous deployment goes even further than continuous delivery in various ways. By using this industry-standard practice, all the stages of your production pipeline are directly released to your customers. There is no intervention whatsoever as long as your test results are okay. It accelerates feedback from customers, and as long as your team can handle the pressure of putting user feedback, there are no fixed release dates for patches. It allows developers to build apps and have patches go live for them in a matter of minutes.
4. How The Practices Related To Each Other and The Benefits of Each Practice?
Continuous Integration
- Fewer bugs in the production stage.
- Easy application building.
- Reduced context switching.
- Reduced testing costs.
- Reduced QA testing time.
Continuous Delivery
- Simplified deployment.
- Short release windows.
- Short release windows. Better feedback loop from customers.
- Less development pressure for minor changes.
Continuous Deployment
- Faster development.
- Lower risk of bugs and issues.
- Continuous improvements to apps.
- Improved quality of apps over time.
5. What Is CI/CD In DevOps?
Conventional development and delivery methods are slowly getting phased out. As a software development company, we understand that the development process can get very complex, and it would require a large team to collaborate and develop apps consistently. In order to meet the stringent requirements of various industries, expectations from developers are at an all-time high. Software development is in a flux of change, and CI/CD fits right in the mix.
DevOps has always been recognized for its efficiency, and CI/CD is one of the most integral tools in DevOps. Developers that make use of DevOps principles achieve as much as 4600% more deployments. It also boasts of 96 times faster recovery times from any development failures, which is superb.
DevOps and CI/CD can be integrated to help developers deliver software rapidly. Communication and collaboration are also improved, and development cycles are shortened considerably. It enables development teams to meet deadlines and also improve the quality of output.
Continuous integration and continuous delivery are two of the most important pillars when it comes to DevOps. CI/CD’s adoption rate is higher than ever before, and it will only grow over time as the focus on streamlined development practices increases. Go here to read more about DevOps.
#Conclusion
If you adopt CI/CD practices, you will notice faster development times, better coordination between development teams, and more. With pressure from customers and enterprises, it can be difficult to work. The constant testing and deployment that CI/CD enables make it ideal for high-stress development environments. Documentation, marketing, and support are available for CI/CD, and the development community is always at hand to help others out.