DevOps Services: A Beginner’s Guide


While you have undoubtedly noticed the phrase 'DevOps' thrown around in discussions about software and IT, it may be difficult to describe, especially if you're new to software development and operations.

Even if DevOps has already established itself as a field of expertise in its own right, there may still be some things that need to be clarified about what is involved and how it improves system development processes, hence, how it benefits organizations.


Many people think that DevOps is all about tooling and automation. Tooling and automation are essential subjects in DevOps, but there is much more. MarsDevs presents a brief beginner's guide to everything you need to know about DevOps, from its background to how to get started in the vicinity. Let’s dive deep.

Decoding DevOps


In the words of Jez Humble, “DevOps is not a goal, but a never-ending process of continual improvement.” We truly believe DevOps is centered on six key principles:

  • Customer-centric action - This entails maintaining a quick feedback loop with end-users and actual consumers, and all activity to develop IT services and products should revolve around those clients. Constant innovation and adaptability to changing conditions are essential, as is investment in customer-pleasing services and goods.


  • Create with the ultimate goal in mind - Organizations must expressly focus on developing goods that work and are sold to genuine consumers, with all employees sharing the mentality necessary to imagine and create such things. 


  • End-to-end accountability - Teams in the DevOps environment are organized vertically to provide full accountability from start to finish. All services and products supplied and produced by teams remain their responsibility, with the team providing performance support until the product's lifecycle is completed.


  • Cross-functional autonomous teams - Must be self-sufficient throughout the product lifecycle. As a result, they must have a diverse skill set to allow for personal growth and development.


  • Continuous Improvement - Organizations must continually adapt to changing conditions and improve to decrease waste, maximize speed, reduce costs, and simplify delivery through trial and failure learning.


  • Automate everything you can - Not just the software development process but the whole infrastructure landscape--by building next-generation container-based cloud platforms that allow infrastructure to be treated as code.


Communication, collaboration, and integration are the three guiding concepts of the current, ever-expanding method of software delivery known as "DevOps." The concept (development and operations), coined by Patrick Debois in 2009, is an extension of agile development environments that attempt to improve the overall software delivery process. 

Core components of DevOps



DevOps is comprised of four components. Anyone attempting to adopt this technique must thoroughly grasp each component and how they interact.


  1. Continuous Integration (CI) - Continuous Integration is a method that includes integrating code changes into a common code repository frequently. In most cases, integration occurs many times every day.


  1. Continuous Delivery (CD) - Continuous Delivery occurs after Continuous Integration; this method sends the code built during the Continuous Integration stage into production. This procedure also includes filtering the code via multiple phases such as QA, Staging, and Production.


  1. Continuous Testing - DevOps cannot function without a continuous testing plan. Several tests must be run from the CI stage to validate and integrate the code with the current codebase. It is required to guarantee that the program functions properly and is not affected by bugs or abnormalities.


  1. Continuous Monitoring - While code is being sent to the production environment via the CI/CD pipeline, the Ops team must continually monitor the environment to guarantee positive uptime, stability, and availability. It is called Continuous Monitoring.


For monitoring, operations teams will have to rely on the software. They will also be responsible for monitoring deployed apps for bugs and problems. It is best accomplished when Ops collaborates with Dev teams to develop tools for monitoring and analyzing such situations.

DevOps vs. Agile



As Pearl Zhu says, “Agile & DevOps are for harnessing integration, interaction & innovation.”


Despite their similarities, DevOps and Agile are different, and some argue that DevOps is superior to Agile. Going down to the nuts and bolts is critical to reduce complexity.


So, how do they differ?


  • DevOps and agile both use software development, measurement, and deployment. However, real agile tend to stick around after these three phases. On the other hand, DevOps includes frequent operations. As a result, monitoring and software development are ongoing.


  • Two experts are responsible for creating, testing & deploying software in an agile workspace. Engineering specialists are responsible for everything in DevOps, including service development, operations development, etc.


  • Agile is more compatible with lean and decreasing waste, and ideas such as agile project accounting and minimal viable product (MVP) are applicable.


  • Instead of predicting measurements, Agile emphasizes and incorporates empiricism (adaptation, transparency, and inspection).


Finally, the goals of Agile and DevOps are the same: to accelerate and improve the quality of software development, and discussing one without the other makes little sense.

How does DevOps help?

DevOps is all about establishing communication channels, making changes, and completing projects in less time and at a better level. So, what are the advantages of DevOps in modern business?


  • Reduces release time – Code can be delivered for production faster, more consistently, and with more confidence. 63% of DevOps-enabled firms deliver new software more regularly.


  • Reduces development cycle - From start to finish, design to deployment, DevOps shortens development cycles without sacrificing output quality, with lead times 106 times faster from commit to deploy.


  • Reduces deployment rollback - Because planning for probable issues and necessary solutions is integral to DevOps, features may be published more confidently, minimizing rollback time.


  • Accelerates failure recovery - If something goes wrong with a release deployment, 52% of firms report that their recovery time is substantially shorter due to the DevOps process.


  • Builds trust & collaborative skills - DevOps approaches challenges from several perspectives.


  • Performance-focus - DevOps helps teams become more performance-based, increases efficiency & promotes innovation. It is a big gain for enterprises everywhere, regardless of industry.

DevOps Best Practices to Know


Now that we have established the basics of DevOps, let’s know how you can get the most out of a DevOps-driven software development process.


  • Make use of automation whenever possible. The right CI/CD technologies are critical in establishing an effective DevOps system. They lessen the time spent on each activity and the possibility of human errors.


  • Run tests on all code without fail, whether manual or automated (preferably both).


  • Manage as many testing environments as feasible (QA, staging, and production). It aids in the identification and mitigation of any issues before the code is pushed to production.


  • Keep up with current automation testing trends. Software development cannot afford to lend in terms of technical advancement.


  • Quickly deliver software. When necessary, roll back software as rapidly as possible.


  • Put collaboration into action. It is the heart of DevOps. To achieve the effectiveness of DevOps approaches, business, operations, and development teams must be continuously and completely aligned.

Adopt DevOps Today!

DevOps is an evolving approach that strives to unite developers and operators into a cohesive one. It is distinct from traditional IT operations and complements (but does not replace) agile.


The widespread adoption of DevOps in the software development environment demonstrates that it works and works effectively. While putting it into action may require work, the outcomes speak for themselves. DevOps saves time, conserves human labor, and assures good product quality in a world where release cycles and deadlines are becoming shorter.


It implies that the user experience is maintained without users needing to wait weeks or months. MarsDevs has completed several DevOps projects for various customers, and we would love to be a part of yours. To learn more, get on a free 15-minute call with us today! We might be what you need to get your next project started!

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