What are pipelines in DevOps / software development?

Speed and efficiency are top priorities when it comes to software development. Teams involved in software development strive to boost productivity, ensure deployments happen without downtime, and deliver flawless code. This can all be achieved through automated development pipelines. But what exactly are they, how do they work, and why are they important? Let us explain everything you need to know.

What are development pipelines?

Development pipelines, also known as CI/CD pipelines, are automated workflows that ensure the smooth execution of every phase in software development. CI/CD stands for Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery. These pipelines help automate key processes, such as testing and deploying code, increasing the speed of software delivery while minimizing human errors.

Progressing through different stages

Each pipeline begins with a code commit in a version control system, such as GitLab. The code is then automatically passed through various stages, starting with the build phase, where the committed code is collected and compiled. In the test phase, various automated tests are run to ensure the code works correctly and does not introduce any errors. Once all tests pass, the code is deployed to staging or production environments in the deploy phase. Automating these stages brings significant benefits to development teams. They are able to respond to changes a lot faster, release new features more quickly, and ensure the high quality of the code is maintained.

What are the benefits of automated development pipelines?

In modern software development, automated development pipelines have become essential. They are necessary for the successful development of software. Automated development pipelines offer several key benefits, and we’d like to share some of the most important ones with you.

Development teams are able to work much faster

Development teams can work significantly faster because all manual steps are eliminated from the process. Various tasks, including testing, building, and deploying, are automatically executed. This shortens the feedback cycle and reduces the time-to-market for both bug fixes and new features.

Reducing downtime

Pipelines help reduce downtime during deployments. Downtime can result in lost customers and missed orders, making it essential to minimize downtime as much as possible. By using zero-downtime deployment techniques, updates can be implemented without users experiencing any interruption. This improves the user experience and prevents companies from losing revenue due to technical issues.

Early detection of errors

Pipelines often include comprehensive automated tests that ensure errors are detected early in the process. When errors are found, immediate action can be taken. This prevents problems from occurring in the production environment, where they are more difficult and costly to resolve.

Better collaboration between different teams and professionals

Pipelines improve collaboration between various teams and professionals. By providing everyone with access to a shared workflow with continuous feedback, teams can collaborate more efficiently. Tasks are addressed faster, responses to different situations are quicker, and the risk of miscommunication between teams or professionals is reduced.

Easier management of complex projects

Pipelines simplify the management of large and complex projects. Automated processes make it easier to implement changes quickly without compromising the quality of the code. Whether you're working with a small team or a large, multifaceted company, scalability is optimized.

The role of pipelines in version control and coworking

A solid version control and coworking tool, such as GitLab, forms the foundation of any effective pipeline. GitLab provides developers with the ability to manage their code in an organized and controlled manner. Every change made to the code is automatically integrated into the pipeline, where it is tested and built. GitLab also offers features like branches and merge requests, which allow multiple developers to work on the same codebase without causing conflicts. This increases productivity and ensures that teams can seamlessly collaborate on different parts of a project. Additionally, GitLab supports the integration of various CI/CD tools, further strengthening the automation process. By using GitLab as a foundation, you can easily set up and manage your pipelines, ensuring you always have a robust and reliable version control system.

The importance of zero-downtime deploys in pipelines

One of the most important features of modern development pipelines is the ability to perform zero-downtime deploys. This means that new code can be deployed live without users of the website or application experiencing any interruption. This process utilizes techniques such as rolling updates or blue-green deployments, where new versions of the software are deployed while the old version remains active until the transition is complete. Zero-downtime deploys are very important for businesses that need to remain available at all times, such as e-commerce platforms and financial institutions. By integrating this technique into your pipeline, you minimize the impact of deployments and ensure continuous operation. You can find more information about this process in our previous article on zero-downtime deploys, where we discuss the various methods and benefits.

We can improve your automated development pipelines

Our dedicated team has extensive experience in setting up and optimizing automated development pipelines. We are frequently hired by other development agencies to help them improve their processes and pipelines so their developers can work more efficiently. Whether you want to set up a completely new system or need advice on your existing pipelines, we offer customized services. Here are some of the services we provide:

Custom advice on pipelines in existing projects

We can conduct an in-depth analysis of your current pipeline infrastructure and make recommendations to improve efficiency and speed. Whether it’s optimizing your version control or implementing automated tests, we ensure that your processes are streamlined to their full potential.

Optimizing development teams

We work closely with development teams to optimize their pipelines, ensuring they can implement faster feedback cycles and detect errors earlier. This not only increases productivity but also enhances the quality of the delivered code.

Pipeline implementation from A to Z

We can assist in setting up new pipelines from start to finish, including version control, automated testing, CI/CD processes, and zero-downtime deploys. Our approach is flexible and tailored, ensuring you get pipelines that perfectly match your specific project needs.

Training and support

In addition to implementation, we offer training for your team so they can make the most of the pipelines. We also provide ongoing support, ensuring you always have reliable guidance.

Now is the time to focus on automated development pipelines

Automated development pipelines are the future, and now is the perfect time to focus on them. These pipelines facilitate better collaboration between teams and minimize downtime, allowing companies to work faster and more efficiently. By integrating pipelines into your development process, you can benefit from quicker feedback, earlier error detection, and increased team productivity. We can help you analyze your current processes and provide advice on improvements, offering customized solutions tailored to your specific needs. Are you curious about how we can assist you in optimizing your development process with automated development pipelines? Contact us today. We’d be happy to walk you through everything.