DevOps Landscape: Key Trends for CTOs

This blog post is part 2 of a series on DevOps landscapes. Check out part 1 here.

When Development and Operations come together, it gives birth to the unique methodology to achieve perfection in software testing i.e. DevOps. Continuous improvements coupled with collaboration to deliver an agile software product is what it aims for.

The Rapid Growth of DevOps

Did you know that DevOps holds a market share of 47% as one of the most popular methods for software development? Also, implementing DevOps helps you improve the software quality by 63%. Also, team communication and release cycle boosts by 55% and 63% respectively.

Hence, implementing a DevOps culture in your company can provide you with various advantages. And there is a continuous evolution of new trends in this field which you don’t want to miss out on!

In this blog, we will discuss crucial key DevOps trends you must know as a Chief Technology Officer. Let’s get started.

Microservice Architecture

Microservices architecture is one of the growing trends in software testing and development. It is a simplified approach to building software applications as an independently deployable service.

In this, each service focuses on a specific capability that can be developed and tested separately. Along with that, each microservice has its database, technology stack, and dependencies. Also, they utilize APIs to communicate with each other to support the rapid development and deployment of microservices.

Microservices and containerization have also become prevalent in DevOps. It includes useful strategies to secure applications using runtime security and scanning controls. Implementing crucial tools for real-time monitoring and observability is a great way to support the health of a microservices-based system.

Hence, CTOs must focus on creating versioning strategies to ensure its functionality doesn’t break others. Microservices in DevOps also may introduce new complexities in software testing.

No-Code or Low-Code Architecture

The platform for no-code and low-code development is also expected to gain significant momentum as a Key DevOps trend in the upcoming years. These platforms support any software development company to build applications with the help of automation and pre-built components.

These platforms provide an environment with visual development. It means you can use a pre-built interface, drag-and-drop interface, and library of pre-configured components to create applications.

Traditional automated testing tools have some limitations. That’s why CTOs must invest in testing tools that are compatible with the No-code and Low-Code platforms.

In this DevOps trend, challenges can also arise regarding vulnerabilities and security. Thus, prioritizing security testing is crucial to find any vulnerability in the system.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are increasingly being applied in the DevOps framework. It enhances the testing accuracy and efficiency. Thus, AI and ML enable the testing team to evolve as predictive, adaptive, and automated.

Their algorithms easily analyze the historical test data and analyze code changes to intelligently prioritize test cases. On the other hand, AI can effectively optimize test environment allocation to minimize bottlenecks and downtime in the testing process.

Advanced visualization and reporting tools of AI and ML provide deeper insights into testing results which makes it easier to identify patterns that require immediate attention.

The function of predictive analytics enables you to identify potential defects and risk areas in the software. Thus, AI-driven test automation tools allow you to adapt to the changes in the user interface and reduce maintenance efforts.

GitOps and Kubernetes

GitOps is a notable methodology that leverages Git repositories for managing application deployments. Thus, it is expected to have a major impact as an upcoming DevOps trend.

It enables CTOs to adopt a declarative approach as Git repositories serve as an auditable record about changes. Thus, it makes it easier to track when particular changes are made.

Kubernetes is another open-source container orchestration platform that automates scaling, deployment, and management. Hence, it allows applications and their dependencies by simplifying testing to ensure that testing is identical for the production.

It provides various built-in features for high availability which ultimately reduces the risk of testing the disruptions caused by infrastructure failures. Therefore, leveraging these trends, your organizations can streamline their software testing process to accelerate the release cycle.

To sum up, both GitOps and Kubernetes support the CI/CD approach by automating the deployment of new code changes in the testing environment.

Serverless Computing

The new DevOps trend of serverless computing in DevOps testing represents the fundamental shift in how applications are deployed, tested, and developed. But, what does Serverless computing mean?

Serverless computing is also called Function-as-a-Service which allows your team to run code without depending on the server infrastructure. In this architecture, the cloud provider can automatically manage the overall process for software testing.

However, serverless computing mainly follows the model of “pay-as-you-go” which means you will be charged for using the resources for testing. This supports cost-efficiency which can be a great benefit for software development companies in India.

Even developers and testers can enhance their focus on writing test cases and ensure the functionality of the application. However, there are a few challenges such as latency and vendor lock-in can happen in this process.

There is no need to worry. Strategies such as comprehensive monitoring and debugging tools can help you solve these problems easily. Serverless mainly relies on the cloud providers’ specific services for scalable, flexible, and cost-effective approaches to software testing.

DevSecOps

In this thriving digital era, cybersecurity concerns are also rising. Integration of DevSecOps is the ultimate solution to battle against those concerns promptly.

The idea of DevSecOps mainly indicates the shift-left approach that the team must follow. Its goal is to emphasize a culture of awareness and security, collaboration, and awareness to deliver reliable software products.

DevSecOps requires continuous assessment of risk to prioritize vulnerabilities and security threats which allows teams to focus on critical issues. Also, it ensures that infrastructure and applications comply with the regulatory requirements.

Conclusion

In conclusion, DevOps trends are continually evolving and CTOs need to remain vigilant to stay ahead in this competitive environment. The above key trends play a crucial role in shaping the future of software testing to ensure that organizations remain competitive and deliver the best-quality software.

Written by Mayank Patel of Linearloop