DevOps refers to a set of practices which integrate software development and IT operations and reduce the overall Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC). This technology has been a huge success by introducing automaticity in software development processes. Using this innovative technique, developers can make frequent software releases and enhance the development speed. Companies that have been using this technology report a two-fold improvement in their software development processes. However, the incorporation of DevOps tools brings many significant benefits to a software development company, it can often be challenging to determine the right tools for your company. What are the most common DevOps tools? Explore more with Tech Bridge Consultancy.

What are the Most Common DevOps Tools? Explore the Key Benefits

DevOps adoption is growing worldwide and the forces driving its adoption include great investments in software-driven innovation, microservices-based architectures, and increased investment in collaborative and automated application development processes. Using DevOps tools, companies can unlock shorter, more controllable iterations through automation and new tools. By incorporating this strategy, companies can unlock many benefits.

Maximized Efficiency

Utilizing DevOps, the transformations are focused on structural improvements that build a community. Successful DevOps initiatives require a change in mindset that brings greater collaboration between teams fueled by automation to better achieve business goals. Introducing automation and collaboration, DevOps tools emphasize deploying software more often.

Improved Speed & Stability of Software Deployment

Successful DevOps integrations are centered on improving the development/deployment speed and stability of software. DevOps tools bring improvement in the lead time, deployment frequency, time-to-restore, and availability. This ensures that end users receive a high-level of software delivery and performance, thus adding to its success rate.

Better Management of Unplanned Work

Companies are often struck with the reality of unplanned work that can influence the productivity of teams. DevOps tools allow the optimization of development processes and proactive retrospection. Doing so, the development and operations teams can better manage unplanned work while continuing to focus on planned work.

Importance of Using DevOps Tools in 2024

Automation is the key to success in practising DevOps. Without DevOps tools, it is hard to automate and without automation, it is more of a dream than reality. Therefore, tooling is central to facilitating the transition. Choosing the right tools is crucial to gain the most out of DevOps strategies. To meet the increasingly complex requirements of clients, DevOps practitioners must use efficient and the latest tools to coordinate the work across different departments. The importance of DevOps tools resides with their capability to intensify software deployment, improve code quality, and facilitate continuous integration. Incorporation of DevOps tools in daily practices allows development teams to enjoy the benefits of automating repetitive tasks. This helps to reduce human errors and deliver consistency. Now that you understand the importance of using DevOps tools, what are the most common DevOps tools? Find out below!

Essential DevOps Tools Every Developer Need

DevOps tools are pivotal in addressing challenges linked with DevOps practices. Addressing the diverse nature of DevOps requirements, there is a variety of tools catering to each parameter.

1 - Version Control Systems

Git, GitHub, and GitLab are most commonly used tools in DevOps. Git is famous for its powerful features like branching and merging for seamless collaboration and version management in complex projects. It is a free and open-source system with minimal footprint. GitHub offers a way to manage distributed projects. Known to deliver features and functionalities like task management, CI/CD, and more. GitLab is a DevSecOps platform that assists developers with enhancing productivity and shortening the software development cycle time. 

2 - Containerization Tools

The containerization tools are used for building and packaging containers. Docker is one of the most widely used tools to deliver software in containers. It has a simple-to-use design offering a free and premium tier. Kaniko, a comparatively newer tool, is used for building container images from a Dockerfile. 

3 - Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

IaC tools help developers define the software infrastructure components as code. One of the tools is Terraform by Hashicorp, which is a modern tool. It enables safe and predictable infrastructure changes. It is a cloud-agnostic tool. Having a configuration language of its own, this tool allows integration with cloud providers. OpenTofu is an open-source version of Terraform that can expand on Terraform’s existing offerings. It acts as an alternative to HashiCorp’s Terraform. Yet another great tool is Pulumi that allows developers to write IaC in their preferred programming language. It provides integration with most cloud providers.

4 - Configuration Management Tools

Ansible is a flexible and powerful tool to automate configuration management. It is capable of working both with cloud and on-premises resources. Chef is another outstanding tool focused on facilitating configuration management. The tool assists teams with automation, drift elimination, application of security policies, and validation across systems. Puppet is an infrastructure delivery tool and the standard tool for IT automation. It can also work with hybrid infrastructure to assist teams with configuration management, automation, and compliance matters.

5 - Continuous Integration & Continuous Delivery (CI/CD)

Circle-CI is one of the most popular CI/CD tools as it provides an easy-to-start model and different hosting and pricing options. If we talk about the GitLab platform, it is really easy to use as it integrates seamlessly with other features. Similarly, GitHub Actions is a tool that allows developers to create any tailored workflow and integrate it nicely with other GitHub features. Jenkins, an open-source automation server tool facilitates continuous integration and delivery services. 

Putting in All Together

DevOps is not just about using tools. Designers using the best tools can even mess up a software development cycle. Tools actually enhance the possibility of DevOps. DevOps tools bring cultural improvement and are therefore indispensable. These tools lay down the crucial foundation of an automation platform. These tools enable development operations to proceed without human intervention. Before selecting the right DevOps tools, it is necessary to assess the current market requirements, needs, and maturity. If tools are used by multiple sources, you must pay close consideration to their interoperability. However, it is better to rely on one provider and use their DevOps tools. You can consider the services of Tech Bridge Consultancy in this regard.