When software development became a cumbersome task of repetitive coding, testing and glitches, organizations had to come up with a solution.
The solution? An organized approach that would not only eliminate the endless cycle of repetitive tasks but also would establish proper coordination and execution in the software development life cycle (SDLC).
That very systematic approach with fewer glitches, more production and exemplary coordination today is called DevOps.
But where did this wonderful process start? How did it make its pathway into our the cycle of IT industry?
The Beginning
It all began one day when Andrew Clay Shafer scheduled a session, “Agile Infrastructure,” at the Agile Conference in Toronto.
However, the DevOps model back then didn’t seem to make much of a difference to those associated with software development. As a result, Shafer closed the session. But something struck developer Patrick Debois that day, who was presenting a paper on “Agile Infrastructure and Operations” in the same vicinity. Shafer’s theme seemed to draw his attention and he went straight to meet Shafer.
A long talk in the hallway that day ignited the fire of DevOps, which started with Shafer and Patrick three months after their first meeting.
Together, they started the Agile Systems Group, with an aim to foster greater collaboration between developers and operators.
Today, the DevOps process continues to survive on the principles of increased collaboration and automation to build, test and release software faster.
Mobile Device and DevOps Adoption
Over the years, DevOps began to grow and pick up fame. And with the emergence of mobile phones, the trend picked up rampant speed.
According to a market intelligence company App Annie, global economic activity concerning mobile applications will be worth USD $6.3 trillion by 2021, five times 2016’s revenue.
Creating software for mobile devices requires an elevated software development approach. Now, organizations have to deliver new, high-quality software to customers as soon as possible to remain atop the competitive market.
In this new approach, organizations need to focus on two prime factors: agility and adaptability. While the former defines the ability to code and recode, the other marks DevOps’ ability to include changes along the SDLC.
Companies are constantly working on getting these qualities into their workflows to promote DevOps concepts of continuous delivery, continuous integration and eliminating bugs to allow users to enjoy a hassle-free software experience.
DevOps Over the Past 18 Months
According to Gartner, about two-thirds of organizations were using DevOps to support the certain business process by the end of 2017, which Forrester termed as the “Year of DevOps.”
Forrester awarded the term to DevOps owing to increasing clients’ questions and discussions around, “How do I implement DevOps at scale?” rather than just, “What is DevOps?”
Going by DevOps’ potential to support modern business processes, more and more companies are adopting DevOps, leading to a steady rise in the trend.
As DevOps continues to be successful within and across the organization, the IT industry will continue to see what it looks like to be “DevOps successful.”
The Emergence of DevSecOps
While DevOps continued to change the software industry, however, security within the process still remained an unanswered question.
In 2012, Gartner analysts Neil MacDonald and Cameron Haight introduced the concept of DevSecOps. This meant security’s introduction right from the beginning and continuing throughout SDLC.
Security’s entry into the model made DevOps a more alluring practice. Six years out, DevSecOps has been a much-discussed concept across seminars, conferences and written content.
But it is still a question whether organizations are implementing DevSecOps considering the time constraint, the need for accelerated delivery and the understanding of security’s importance in the cycle.
For many organizations, security is still not a part of their production cycle. But, it is essential for any organization to consider security if they want to remain in the competitive market and importantly at the top.
Negligence in this area may cost them bankruptcy or even elimination from the industry. According to the “Global State of Digital Trust Survey and Index,” one-third of British customers stopped using an organization’s services owing to a security breach.
10 Years of DevOps: What’s Next?
The emergence of AI and automation have made some waves in the IT industry, and DevOps is no exception.
DevOps holds high predictions for the future. In the years to come, AI and automation will change the software development process. Apps will be self-written and coded. Tasks such as integration, security, testing and deploying will be dictated by AI, data and machine learning in the all-new AIOps.
A data-driven approach will have software dynamically adapt its behavior on the basis of what is in its environment, much like other AI-driven technology including Apple’s Siri and Alexa.
Moreover, this significant shift from programmed to non-programmed apps will call for improved security and functionality management and allow developers to focus on value-addition activity.
DevOps is evolving. How about your organization?
— Veritis
