What is GitOps?
GitOps is a modern way of implementing Continuous Deployment for cloud-native applications. It was first introduced by a company called Weaveworks. To understand GitOps, we first need to understand Git and Ops individually.
- Git is a distributed version control system that allows multiple people to work on a project at the same time without overwriting each other’s changes.
- Ops, in this context, refers to IT operations, particularly those involving software development and infrastructure management.
When combined, GitOps means using Git as the ‘single source of truth’ for both development and operations. In simpler terms, all changes to systems are made through code changes in Git.
Instead of manually adjusting your systems and infrastructure, GitOps automates these adjustments by using tools that sync your Git repository and your production environment. Any changes made to the code in the Git repository will automatically be reflected in the production environment, making deployment of new features or bug fixes seamless and swift.
Why is GitOps Valuable?
Now that we understand what GitOps is, let’s delve into the benefits it can bring to your business:
Increased Productivity
By automating deployment and system adjustments, developers can focus more on writing code rather than administrative tasks. This increases efficiency and allows quicker deployment of new features or bug fixes.
Improved Reliability
Because all changes are made in Git first, everything is trackable. If something goes wrong, you can easily trace the issue back to a specific code change. Plus, the automatic deployment reduces the risk of human error.
Enhanced Security
With GitOps, all changes to the system go through a review process before being deployed. This means all changes are validated and tested, improving the overall security of your system.
Greater Consistency
GitOps ensures consistency across different development environments. Since all changes are tracked and versioned in Git, it’s easy to keep different environments synchronized, eliminating “it works on my machine” type of problems.
How Can Your Business Adopt GitOps?
If your business is looking to embrace GitOps, here are some steps to guide you through the process:
- Adopt Git: If you’re not already using Git for version control, start there. Familiarize yourself with its functionalities and how to use it to manage and track code changes.
- Choose the Right Tools: There are many tools available to implement GitOps, like ArgoCD, Flux, Jenkins X, and more. Do some research and choose the tool that fits your business needs.
- Establish an Automated Deployment Pipeline: This is a crucial step in GitOps. You’ll need to set up a system where changes in your Git repository automatically trigger updates in your production environment.
- Train Your Team: Ensure that your team understands GitOps, how to use Git and your chosen tools, and the new procedures for making system changes.
Learn More About GitOps
Adopting GitOps can be a game-changer for many businesses. If you’re interested in learning more, here are some resources to help:
- Weaveworks: As the creators of GitOps, their blog provides comprehensive articles on GitOps principles, practices and case studies.
- GitOps Guide with Kubernetes: If you’re using Kubernetes, this eBook from Weaveworks gives an in-depth explanation of GitOps with Kubernetes.
- GitOps Tools: To get more information about the tools to use with GitOps, this comparison guide from InfoWorld is a great starting point.
- GitHub: GitHub offers a learning lab on using GitHub Actions for Continuous Delivery, a core concept in GitOps.
- GitOps Tutorials: This series of tutorials by GitOps Tech is a wonderful resource for step-by-step learning.
- The DevOps Handbook: While not exclusively about GitOps, this book provides useful insights into implementing DevOps practices, which forms the foundation for GitOps.
By leveraging these resources, businesses can gain a comprehensive understanding of GitOps, enabling them to better utilize this approach for streamlined operations and efficient software development.
