Best practices for CI/CD

Continuous Integration and Delivery (CI/CD) are essential components of the DevOps framework, facilitating the transformation of code into live products through a series of best practices aimed at optimizing deployment pipelines. Tools like Jenkins and Octopus Deploy play crucial roles in this process, with Octopus focusing on simplifying complex deployments through Continuous Delivery. The adoption of Agile methodologies is emphasized for continuous collaboration and improvement, contrasting with traditional waterfall methods. Key practices include frequent code commits, the use of version-controlled code, and Configuration as Code, which enhance traceability and flexibility. Keeping builds "green" through dedicated deployment tools and automated testing is vital for agile and reliable software delivery. Additionally, strengthening feedback loops via telemetry data and using fit-for-purpose technologies are highlighted as crucial strategies. Security is paramount, with a focus on compliance and the creation of Software Bill of Materials (SBOMs) to meet regulatory demands. Overall, the post outlines eight best practices for leveraging CI/CD to enhance software development efficiency and reliability, with additional resources available in the DevOps engineer's handbook.