6 Stages of DevOps CI/CD Pipeline

6 Stages of DevOps CI/CD Pipeline

Take a look at the 6 stages of CI/CD pipeline

1. Code Integration (CI)

The foundation of a DevOps continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipeline lies in the process of code integration, commonly referred to as CI. This pivotal stage emphasizes the seamless and ongoing integration of code modifications into the primary codebase of the project.

🔸 Setting up a version control system

The implementation of a version control system, such as Git, is imperative to effectively track modifications made to code, facilitate seamless collaboration among team members, and establish a centralized repository of your project’s codebase.

🔸 Automated code integration using Git hooks

Git hooks are essential scripts that execute automatically before or after specific Git events, such as commits or pushes. These hooks provide a means to enforce coding standards, execute tests, and perform various other tasks automatically, thereby guaranteeing the maintenance of code quality and consistency.

2. Automated Testing

A variety of tests such as unit tests, integration tests, and end-to-end tests are incorporated in SDLC. These tests are conducted automatically, without the need for manual interventions, to ensure that the code changes meet the expected requirements and do not introduce any bugs or issues.

Automated testing plays a crucial role in the software development lifecycle as it helps in detecting and fixing bugs early on, reducing the time and effort required for manual testing. It also allows for faster and more frequent testing, enabling developers to iterate and deploy changes more quickly.

🔸 Writing unit tests

Unit tests are crafted by developers to ensure the accuracy of individual code units, including functions or methods. This indispensable practice aids in the early detection of bugs during the development phase, thereby promoting a smoother and more efficient workflow.

🔸 Integration and functional testing

Software tests evaluate the cohesive interaction of various code components and determine if the software fulfills its functional requirements. These tests play an important role in guaranteeing the overall integrity of the application.

🔸 Automating test execution

Automation plays a crucial role in maintaining a consistent and efficient testing process. By utilizing various test automation tools and frameworks, tests can be executed automatically whenever there are changes made to the code. This seamless integration between testing and development facilitates prompt feedback for developers, ensuring swift progress.

3. Continuous Integration Server

The Continuous Integration Server serves as the core element responsible for orchestrating the DevOps CI/CD pipeline. It involves;

🔸 Configuring Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, or similar tools

CI/CD platforms streamline the automation of tasks triggered by code modifications. Configuration entails the establishment of build jobs, identification of specific tests to be conducted, and the implementation of triggers within the pipeline.

🔸 Creating build jobs

Build jobs are integral to the process of compiling code, executing tests, and generating artifacts. The seamless execution of these tasks is overseen by CI servers, which effectively manage them in response to any updates made to the codebase.

4. Artifact Management

Artifact management involves the meticulous handling and efficient storage of the outcome derived from your build process, encompassing compiled code, libraries, and various dependencies. This vital process entails a series of steps, which are as follows;

🔸 Storing and managing artifacts

Effective and secure storage of artifacts is important in any organization. A well-structured and systematic approach to storing artifacts is essential for ensuring their traceability and facilitating effective deployment.

🔸 Using artifacts repositories (e.g., Nexus, Artifactory)

Artifact repositories act as a centralized store for building artifacts, allowing easy access, retrieval, and management. They facilitate artifact versioning and distribution.

5. Deployment Automation

Deployment Automation is an efficient approach that streamlines the smooth transition of your application from the development phase to its final deployment stage. This process involves essential elements such as;

🔸 Defining deployment configurations

To ensure seamless deployment across various environments, it is important to configure the infrastructure and settings accordingly. This necessitates setting up the necessary components and configurations for each specific environment, including development, staging, and production. By adapting the infrastructure and settings to suit each environment, a smooth and efficient deployment process can be achieved.

🔸 Implementing deployment automation scripts

Automation scripts, frequently developed using popular tools such as Ansible, Puppet, or Kubernetes YAML files, facilitate the deployment process by ensuring consistent and repeatable deployments across various environments.

6. Continuous Monitoring

The stage of continuous monitoring is crucial to ensure the optimal performance of deployed applications in a production environment.

🔸 Setting up monitoring tools (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana)

Monitoring tools offer real-time visibility into the performance of applications, the health of infrastructure, and the overall user experience.

🔸 Integrating monitoring into your pipeline

Incorporating monitoring into the CI/CD pipeline, organizations can benefit from the seamless integration of automatic alerts and responsive actions to address production issues. The proactive approach facilitates timely problem resolution and enhances the overall reliability of the system.