Coding can get pretty tedious and because of that, there’s room for more error. And anyone would tell you that it would be a good idea to minimize those errors. This is why using a CI/CD tool is a great assistant to help with your software as it minimizes risk in all senses of the word. Using a CI/CD tool will assist in delivering software in a manner that is both fast and safe.
A great CI/CD tool will save you both time and effort and therefore cost. It gives the ability to significantly increase productivity. It also boosts communication and streamlines development. Delivering error-free software built by your own hands has never been easier.
CI/CD helps with development by continuously integrating code and continuously deploying code.
CI/CD in Depth
CI stands for continuous integration and works in tandem with CD or continuous deployment. Continuous integration allows for code to be integrated into the product in small segments which minimizes any chance for errors. The changes made mend seamlessly together which boosts coding efficiency due to there being less time dedicated to cleaning code.
Continuous deployment is the second part of CI/CD and CD can refer to both continuous delivery and continuous deployment. However, it usually stands for the latter given its greater potential to increase automation. Continuous deployment allows any changes in the software to be automatically deployed to the end-user.
Similar to continuous deployment, continuous delivery automates the entire software release process and allows anyone with permissions to deploy a new release. Continuous delivery also provides the tools needed to update any part of the system as well as setting parameters for other programs and systems. This allows for manual deployment with minimal conflicts.
Continuous deployment goes one step above continuous delivery and automates the process by pushing every change in the source code into production. This is in contrast to deploying the release manually. By going one step above you save time overall by automating all the manual tasks.
A CI/CD program allows the user to monitor everything and recover quickly if a problem arises. According to Marko Anastasov of Semaphoreci, “a CI/CD service takes over from there by running all tests and deploying the code to production while keeping the team informed about the outcome of every important event.”
Communication and Integration Made Easy
If you’re working with multiple people, it can be difficult to merge everyone’s code into the software. Usually, when all the parts of code are merged together there are many bugs and errors. This is where the CI/CD pipeline comes into play. Instead of everyone working on their own part completely independently, the pipeline allows for the additions to be added into the software in real-time.
The pipeline keeps everyone up to date on how the code looks and how it operates.
When bugs do occur, if the CI/CD pipeline is active and is utilizing a test automation tool, the errors will be noticed and fixed. This results in a much faster repair time than what it would normally be without the pipeline.
Greater Efficiency
One thing that CI/CD provides to minimize risk is increasing the efficiency of both coding and fixing software. As previously mentioned, with continuous integration you can add and edit small bits of code at one point. Because the modifications are small, they are also easy and quick to clean up. And the code can also be tested automatically to ensure that it operates as intended.
Because there are fewer errors, this puts the focus onto the code itself rather than spending precious time fixing bugs. This should save time and also allow the code to be more efficient since there can be a more exclusive focus on cleaning it. The more productive you are the better software that you can produce.
Testing Automation
One of the most important aspects of the CI/CD pipeline for reducing risk is test automation. Automatic tests of the code make sure that any code that is modified or added does not include any errors. What this means is that the coders of the software don’t have to spend their time fixing code but rather modifying it and making it cleaner leading to a more polished product.
Testing automation also allows for greater consistency. Since any code added will always be added to the actual software, it will be tested to make sure it also works with code that comes before and after it. Additionally, since the code will be tested in its entirety before release, there would be even fewer errors and inconsistencies.
Faster MTTR
MTTR stands for “Mean Time To Resolution.” MTTR is a measure of how quickly you fix errors. The faster you are at fixing errors in the software, the shorter the MTTR will be. Having a short MTTR will put more faith in your software from consumers. Continuous integration reduces MTTR because there are smaller code changes. Pair that with continuous deployment and those fixes immediately get put into production.
Having a fast MTTR to represent you means that you are reliable when it comes to fixing your own issues. It’s also a sign that you’re knowledgable in the field. Both are essential for building and maintaining a great reputation. The CI/CD pipeline also offers room for a monitor tool. A tool that can detect and analyze errors, therefore, showing what errors appear the most.
Push Out Releases Quicker
Continuous code integration makes small frequent code changes possible, which makes finding errors easier. Continuous deployment also makes those changes go into the active build immediately. And since the releases occur after automated testing is done, it means that with each release. The software is both more efficient and cleaner.
Delivering Software With Less Risk
Delivering software can be a bit risky. While building the software you constantly have to battle against bugs and inconsistencies within the code. It’s time-consuming and can be tedious and sometimes it can be a total waste of time. And when you do have the software made and you release it, realizing issues with the software right after you put it out can be a pain.
But building and releasing software doesn’t have to be as risky as it has been. With CI/CD it becomes a different process. A process that allows errors on your end but eliminates errors in the code. Leaving less room for mistakes for the final product. And if mistakes do occur, CD is there to assist with another quick revised release.
With CI/CD you make communication easier, code integration simpler and more efficient, you gain the ability to test the code automatically and can increase your MTTR and with that, you can push out releases quicker. All of these things reduce the risk of having a failed software or even having your reputation as a developer fall. If utilized correctly, the reputation you hold should even improve.
