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Cloud-native applications and DevOps at the Forefront

With the advent of DevOps, the team in charge of generating software products also has to control their deployment, testing, infrastructure, and operation. In addition to that global approach, DevOps aims to implement agile work practices and a culture of constant improvement.

Cloud computing and DevOps

Today, cloud computing is chosen to cope with the demands of the myriad of client and software services. With this in mind, server space is freed up so that fast and reliable product delivery on the required scale can be ensured.

Together, DevOps and cloud computing enable companies to continuously develop and deliver products, in order to reduce the risks associated with product development and to conduct code sustainability testing in the future. In that sense, any company that develops native applications in the cloud (applications that were designed and coded from scratch to reside in the cloud) should always keep the DevOps culture in mind. When developing these types of applications, what should we take into account?

3 Major Architecture Pillars for Modern Cloud Applications

- Containerization. A lightweight software ecosystem that encapsulates an app in a container with its own operating system.

- An architecture that structures the application as a set of loosely coupled collaboration services.

- No server. Cloud computing execution model that eliminates many of the infrastructure management tasks.

When we use that architecture, it is easier to manage, scale, and monitor the software we develop. How is it possible?

It is simpler to correct mistakes.

For example, development teams have fewer problems managing and maintaining cloud-native application code when they design them with this new architecture. Suppose there is a bug to isolate and correct. With traditional, monolithic architecture, this process requires a cumbersome code review, and the patch will likely require a service outage. However, with cloud-native solutions, developers can isolate the problem much more quickly and fix it without interruption for users.

The services offered by the software are better.

This type of architecture also enables product updates to be guaranteed -software and feature releases are much simpler, leading to better service. Businesses can assign small but powerful teams to review the full lifecycle of specific pieces of software. They can also use the scrum methodology of agile and lean philosophies to develop new features quickly and reliably.

To sum up, cloud-native applications offer great benefits, such as more resilience, scalability, debugging and maintenance, higher ROI, and lower total cost of ownership.

DevOps culture first

Adopting a DevOps culture is vital for cloud-native applications to be successful, as well as for the success of cloud solutions in general. To do this, you need to promote sound development practices that ensure correct design, code, and deployment.

One of the foundations of the DevOps culture is the capacity for constant learning and the exchange of best practices that teams instill in their developers. It doesn't matter how stable the code is: in order for things to work well, regular maintenance is necessary. A strong DevOps culture not only protects the software solution but can also mark a turning point for your organization.

When companies take advantage of the constant learning of the DevOps culture, they can promote a training environment that enhances the skills of developers and promotes employee satisfaction; And everything is even better if companies provide budgets for training or allow side projects that encourage the creativity of the staff.

In addition, scalable agile teams also aim to have more free time thanks to process automation and working with lean models. That way, technical teams can focus on important tasks, such as architecture and security, while improving the overall performance of the software.

By embracing a DevOps culture, companies can not only produce extreme-quality cloud-native applications but can also build curious and engaged teams of developers who will help shape the future of multi-cloud solutions.