Rethinking CI/CD: Why They Might Be Better Off Apart

Continuous Delivery (CD) and Integration (CI) have become essential techniques in today's software development environment, increasing reliability and efficiency in the deployment of applications. However, as new technologies like Kubernetes and GitOps have emerged, it's become clear that the conventional CI/CD architecture has to change. There is a need for CI and CD to function more independently since the synchronous nature of classic CI/CD procedures no longer fits well with the asynchronous and declarative approaches of these new technologies.

The Development of CI/CD

Building, testing, and deploying code were the sequential steps of the traditional CI/CD process. With static deployment environments such as real servers or conventional virtual machines, this sequential strategy functioned well. Nevertheless, a more dynamic and asynchronous deployment technique has emerged with containers and Kubernetes. Traditional CI/CD methods, which need activities to be done in a predetermined order, are incompatible with Kubernetes' coordinated container deployments. This disagreement emphasizes the drawbacks of a CI/CD strategy applied to every situation.

Problems with Conventional CI/CD Models

1. Comparison of Synchronous and Asynchronous Process Deployment: In stark contrast to the synchronous CI/CD process, Kubernetes runs asynchronously, allowing deployments to occur at various periods and speeds. Because of this difference, deployment pipelines frequently become clogged with specialized scripts and workarounds intended to close the gap between continuous integration and continuous delivery.

1. Complicated Multi-Environment Management: Although GitOps is good at declaratively managing deployment states, it is up to a different task than multi-environment orchestration. The deployment pipeline may have gaps if it concentrates on the ultimate state of deployments rather than managing different stages. This problem is worsened by the intricacy of contemporary apps, which sometimes involve several services with independent pipelines.

1. Overworked Continuous Integration Pipelines: In many cases, continuous integration pipelines could be more extended, undertaking duties such as configuration management, orchestration of deployments, and environment provisioning. Because these extra tasks were not intended for CI pipelines, overextension causes them to become unwieldy and ineffective.

The Complex Reality of Modern Software Development

There is a growing disconnect between the realities of contemporary software development and the conventional understanding of CI/CD as a sequential, linear process. Today, microservices architecture is widely used to build applications, with separate continuous integration and deployment pipelines for each service. Due to the many interdependencies and asynchronous processes this complexity produces, the linear CI/CD approach is unsuitable.

Furthermore, more flexible and adaptable methods are needed than traditional CI/CD can provide, given the demands of current cloud systems, which include fast adoption and constant monitoring. The management of CI and CD processes must be reevaluated to handle these dynamic and complicated settings properly.

The Case for Continuous Promotion

The idea of continuous promotion has surfaced as a solution to these problems. This strategy presents an intermediate phase that emphasizes the promotion of artifacts by predetermined guidelines. This gives you more precise control over the deployment process since only objects that fulfill certain requirements—like passing tests or getting the required approvals—are allowed to go forward via the pipeline.

1. Fine-Grained Control Over Deployments: Teams can specify specific guidelines for artifact advancement with Continuous Promotion. This covers requirements like passing test after test, compliance verifications, and human approvals. Teams may lower the risk of incorrect deployments by including these criteria in the pipeline and ensuring that only trusted and well-reviewed artifacts are delivered.

1. Concentrated CI and CD Processes: Continuous Promotion lessens the strain on CI pipelines by separating CI and CD. Because of this division, continuous integration (CI) may concentrate on developing and testing code, while continuous deployment and management (CD) handles applications. Both the CI and CD processes operate more effectively and efficiently when roles are clearly defined.
2. Increased Flexibility and Efficiency: Modern deployment environments are dynamic and asynchronous, which fits very well with Continuous Promotion. It addresses the drawbacks of conventional CI/CD methodologies and offers an organized framework for overseeing the evolution of artifacts, enabling more streamlined and dependable application rollouts.

Implementing Continuous Promotion

Integrating continuous promotion into the current CI/CD pipeline entails adding a defined method for overseeing the advancement of artifacts. Typically, this process entails establishing guidelines and requirements that artifacts must fulfill to go on to the next phase. To guarantee that only approved artifacts move forward, these regulations may involve a variety of approvals and inspections.

Furthermore, to implement continuous promotion, one must change one's perspective of CI/CD from a linear process to a more adaptable and flexible pipeline. This change entails reviewing present procedures, determining locations where CI and CD overlap or become ineffective, and putting these issues into practice by implementing remedies.

Conclusion

The classic CI/CD approach has to change to keep up with the demands of new technology as software development continues to advance. Organizations may tackle the inefficiencies and complexity of modern deployment infrastructures by incorporating ideas like Continuous Promotion and letting CI and CD function independently. This division is more by the asynchronous and dynamic character of contemporary software development and improves the deployment pipeline's efficiency and dependability.