DevOps platforms have become essential tools for organising and managing code within software companies. In recent years, their adoption has skyrocketed, emerging as a key factor in optimising software development and maintenance. But what makes these platforms so vital, and how can companies migrate efficiently?
In this article, we break down the impact of these tools, their benefits and how to approach a migration successfully.
What are DevOps platforms and why are they so relevant?
The world of software development is constantly evolving, driven by the need for greater agility, quality, and efficiency. DevOps platforms facilitate collaboration between development and operations teams, automate processes, and enable continuous software delivery. According to Gartner, DevOps platform adoption is expected to reach 70% market share in the coming years, underscoring their relevance in the tech sector.
Market leaders: GitLab and GitHub
In the current landscape, GitLab and GitHub are the most popular platforms for their code management capabilities and CI/CD functions. While both solutions offer a comprehensive set of tools, they have differences that make them unique in their approach and capabilities.
GitLab
GitLab provides an end-to-end solution, covering everything from planning to deployment. It offers a unified environment that automates testing, reviews, and deployment, improving code quality significantly. Key features include:
- Continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) within a cohesive environment.
- Robust integration with other DevOps tools.
- Comprehensive private repository management for increased efficiency.
GitHub
Known for its ease of use and vast developer community, GitHub has expanded beyond source code management to include CI/CD functionality via GitHub Actions. Key features include:
- Workflow automation with built-in CI/CD capabilities.
- Intuitive interface and extensive integration options.
- A large community supporting open-source projects.
Key benefits of DevOps platforms
DevOps platforms don’t just integrate processes—they enhance software quality and efficiency. Benefits include:
- Automation: Reducing errors and speeding up delivery by automating repetitive tasks like testing and deployment.
- Enhanced Collaboration: Breaking down silos and improving synergy between development and operations teams.
- Continuous Integration (CI): Ensuring bugs are detected and corrected quickly through frequent code integration and testing.
- Continuous Delivery (CD): Keeping software in a deployable state, ready for release at any time.
- Real-Time Monitoring: Quickly identifying and resolving issues to improve the final product.
In short, the advancement and adoption of DevOps platforms, with GitLab and GitHub leading the market, is transforming the way organisations develop and deploy software. According to Gartner, the expansion of the DevOps market reflects the growing need for tools that not only improve efficiency and code quality, but also drive a more collaborative and agile development environment.
Migration to DevOps platforms: challenges and solutions
Having outlined the advantages and trends of DevOps platforms, it’s natural to ask: How complicated is it to adopt them?
Technology migrations are often associated with challenges, friction between teams, and a temporary decrease in productivity during the adaptation process. However, migrating code from an outdated platform to a modern one (DevOps) doesn’t have to be traumatic. If the current environment is well-maintained and follows best practices, the transition may be quicker than expected.
Today’s DevOps platforms offer numerous features and advanced APIs that facilitate automation and speed up the change process. These capabilities make it possible to transfer programmatic content from one tool to another seamlessly, while maintaining an organizationally similar result to the original. The challenge arises when the source tools have not been updated, and you’re faced with API incompatibilities or outdated versions that no longer fit. In such cases, it is crucial to consider customized migration solutions to ensure a successful process.
Tailor-made solutions for a smooth migration
When the source tools are outdated, tailor-made solutions must be designed to ensure a successful migration. This often involves creating scripts that act as “adapters” to connect the old and new APIs, ensuring data integrity and security during the transition. However, creating these scripts requires in-depth knowledge of both the source and target platforms. For this reason, it is essential to have trained professionals who work closely with the manufacturers to streamline and secure the process as much as possible.
These customized scripts ensure that data is easily transferred from one tool to another while maintaining its security and integrity.
At knowmad mood, we develop “turnkey migration scripts,” which ensure the target platform is ready for seamless use at the end of the process. These scripts make data transfer transparent to the user and maintain the structure of the source environment. Close cooperation with the manufacturers of modern platforms allows us to address cases where official channels may not be sufficient, ensuring a fast and efficient migration.
We will now explore the primary source tools for this type of migration, their current use, and their extent within companies.
Origin agents
Before the widespread adoption of DevOps platforms, various products were used for code management. Although many have become outdated in terms of functionality, some organizations still use them.
Traditional systems still in use
- Subversion (SVN) was a mainstay of code management during the 2000s. This centralized version control system allowed developers to maintain historical versions of files and directories, facilitating collaboration on software projects. Despite the rise of Git, SVN is still used in many organizations due to its simplicity and centralized model, which is easy to administer.
- Mercurial is another tool that, although similar to Git, was known for its speed and efficiency. This distributed version control system allowed developers to work on local copies of the repository, ensuring optimal performance and ease of use. Although it has been overshadowed by Git, Mercurial remains preferred by certain projects and developers who value its simplicity.
- Perforce (Helix Core) has been a popular choice for large-scale software development, particularly in industries such as video games and enterprise software development. It offers centralized version control with support for large files and numerous users. Its ability to manage large and complex projects ensures its continued relevance.
- IBM ClearCase, known for its robustness and advanced configuration management capabilities, is still used in some large organizations. Although less common today, its ability to manage parallel development and integrate changes makes it indispensable for certain business applications.
- Finally, CVS (Concurrent Versions System), one of the first version control systems to gain popularity, is still in use in older projects and in organizations that have not migrated to newer technologies. Its centralized system allowed multiple developers to collaborate on the same project simultaneously, laying the foundation for many systems that followed.
Modern tools in today’s landscape
Today, platforms such as Bitbucket and Azure DevOps Repos offer advanced features and seamless integration with other development tools.
- Bitbucket, a code management and collaboration platform supporting both Git and Mercurial, is notable for offering unlimited private repositories for small teams, seamless integration with pipelines, and tight integration with other Atlassian tools like Jira and Confluence. It’s widely used by teams already in the Atlassian ecosystem, providing a smooth collaboration experience.
- Azure DevOps Repos, part of the Azure DevOps suite, provides a version control system based on Git. With private Git repositories, code review tools, and full integration with other Azure DevOps tools like CI/CD pipelines and project management boards, Azure Repos is a popular choice for teams in the Microsoft Azure environment. This platform provides an integrated solution for application development and deployment, optimizing developers’ workflows.
However, despite their capabilities, these platforms are more suited to small teams and startups. While they aim to support the DevOps tool model, they fall short of the full functionality found in platforms like GitLab or GitHub. As projects grow, a more robust solution may be necessary. Therefore, it is advisable to start with a solid DevOps platform to avoid future migrations and new learning curves.
Target agents: GitLab and GitHub as undisputed leaders
GitLab and GitHub are the most common destinations for migrations, and for good reason. Both platforms offer broad compatibility with source tools and enable both direct and customized migrations. There’s a reason these platforms dominate the market.
- GitLab is a DevOps platform that integrates fully with other source tools and facilitates both direct and customized migrations, thanks to its extensive API. It offers a complete suite of tools to manage the entire CI/CD cycle, from start to finish. GitLab includes a section for visualizing application deployment status, helping monitor the success of deployments. Its premium versions include advanced security tools that help companies comply with ISO standards, reinforcing their reputation and protecting their customers.
- GitHub also has extensive integration with source tools and a powerful API for receiving data from other sources. It supports CI/CD pipelines through GitHub Actions and enjoys strong community support as one of the main code repositories for open-source projects. The main difference from GitLab is that GitHub doesn’t yet offer as many native DevOps tools, often depending on third-party applications for additional functionality. However, we are likely to see these gaps filled in future versions.
Conclusion: why migrate to a devops platform?
Today’s software development landscape demands platforms that offer more than just code management. Adopting solutions like GitLab or GitHub is not merely a trend but a strategic investment in development quality and productivity.
Having a robust platform that integrates CI/CD functionality makes a significant difference in a highly competitive market, where delivering faster and higher-quality products is essential.
Migration to DevOps should be considered in the short term to reap the benefits and adopt best development practices. At knowmad mood, we have the experience and expertise to ensure your migration is efficient, secure, and smooth. Are you ready to take the next step and optimize your software development?
Author: Hugo Mendiguchia, Principal Solutions Architect at knowmad mood.