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DevOps is a software development practice that emphasizes communication, collaboration, and integration of multiple systems across the development lifecycle, and it’s also an umbrella term for various software development practices that have emerged to address the need for efficient and secure access to data.
DevOps has finally become mainstream, with Google Trends revealing an increase in the search for DevOps tools. Since DevOps revolves around the entire lifecycle of software development, you will come across multiple DevOps tools. People interested in DevOps cannot decide which tools they should learn to use. Some of the best tools to learn DevOps are discussed below:
1. Gitlab CI / CD
GitLab CI / CD uses the YAML structure for building pipelines. It is a tool built into GitLab for software development. The tool enables software development through continuous methodologies, including the following:
- Continuous Integration
- Continuous Deployment
- Continuous Delivery
According to the YAML structure, GitLab has three types of runners. You should know about the runners in detail before building any pipeline. GitLab offers various features such as Global and Project Specific Environment Variables, Container and Package Registries, etc.
2. Gitlab/ Github/ Bitbucket
These refer to the source code management repositories. It can store your code and perform version control. It also ensures the overall management of your codes. Every programmer is familiar with these tools. But some of them don’t know the basic commands associated with it. The commands make it easier to push your code.
Some important commands to remember are as follows:
git clone <url>
git push
git branch
git reset – – hard
All the platforms usually have the same type of command. Some platforms have also introduced DevOps pipelines.
3. Docker
This tool enables developers to create lightweight and easy-to-carry software containers. The containers make developing, testing, and deploying applications easier. Both Dockerfile and docker-compose enable you to create dockerize applications with ease. One can find two different types of files in Docker.
Docker also enables you to host Jenkins on it. You will be able to create the Jenkins worker nodes on the fly. Learning this tool will allow you to work conveniently on Kubernetes. While Kubernetes is more advanced, the basics of Docker can make it seem less complicated.
4. FlywayDB
Automation needs of the database are one of the most overlooked aspects of web development. It often revolves around after-thoughts of enabling database schema changes for new versions of an application. Schema changes usually involve adding or updating tables and columns. When the application version does not align with the schema version, the application breaks completely.
It also becomes difficult to implement a database change with an application upgrade. But FlyWay allows operators to create database versions and track database migrations. It also enables easy rolling of schema changes. You won’t even need customized solutions for implementing schema changes.
Operators often run Flyway as part of their application startup. But you can also run it as a binary executable. Use the Flyway tool in your code to check version capability at startup. You will also be able to run appropriate migrations using the tool.
It enables you to keep the database and application versions in sync. Operators can also run the cmd line ad-hoc. It ensures flexibility for existing applications without building the entire application from scratch.
5. ELK (Elastic Search, Logstash and Kibana)
Teach companies often use ELK to monitor their applications. It is one of the most advanced tools for monitoring and logging. ELK offers a wide variety of support. You can log Nginx, Docker, node APIs, system logs, CPU performance, etc.
ELK also enables you to set alerts and watches. Therefore, you will be able to create your dashboards easily.
6. SoapUI Pro
SoapUI has been within the API testing space for quite some time. The tool came into existence when SOAP services were the default. You no longer need to develop new SOAP services. But the name of the tool hasn’t changed. However, it has evolved quite a lot to meet the modern requirements of the DevOps space.
The tool is exceptional for building automated functional tests for backend web services. The automated tests can be easily integrated with continuous integration tools and run within the CI/ CD pipeline. You will come across multiple API testing tools in the market. But SOAP is easy to learn and use. It also ensures you can build tests for multiple services using one interface.
7. Terraform
Terraform can quickly deliver Infrastructure as Code. Therefore, it leads to faster installation and development. The tool has built a massive community of support and plugins to assist in multiple deployment scenarios. The tool can support any type of environment from on-prem to the cloud.
Terraform is the interface between the API, Terraform code, and backend logic your infrastructure provider requires. Learning this tool is easier since it offers the same logic and functions as traditional programming languages. Therefore, learning this tool will enable you to learn anywhere.
8. Ansible
Ansible is used to write instructions for installing applications. It also enables you to design configuration file templates. Ansible can also serve as a single tool for DevOps tasks. It can define the Ansible playbook’s infrastructure and stay committed to source control.
An operator machine runs the Ansible playbooks, and they hit the targeted servers. Since it is open-source, the community can create easy-to-use modules.
Configuration management is nothing but code. But testing is mandatory for configuration management. The molecular framework for configuration testing through Ansible works seamlessly. Ansible is based on YAML, one of its key selling points.
9. Kubernetes
The open-source framework helps manage containerized workloads. It primarily revolves around services that enable both declarative configuration and automation. In Kubernetes, containers can be easily bundled to run applications. A production environment requires you to manage the containers responsible for running the applications.
Kubernetes is expanding rapidly and will find multiple support and services for Kubernetes. Some cloud providers even leverage Kubernetes as GCP servers. They offer a guarantee of no downtime.
Closing thoughts
Choose the easy DevOps tools to learn in the beginning. A professional course will allow you to learn all the DevOps tools in detail.
You may also like: Custom software development – is it the right solution for you?
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