What is DevOps?

DevOps is a way of working that combines software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops) so that new features and fixes can be delivered faster, more reliably, and with fewer problems.

Let's break it down

  • Dev (development): the people who write the code for apps and websites.
  • Ops (operations): the people who keep the servers, networks, and services running smoothly.
  • Combine: instead of working in separate silos, developers and operations share tools, responsibilities, and goals.
  • Faster, more reliable delivery: using automation and collaboration to get code from a developer’s computer to users quickly and without breaking things.

Why does it matter?

Because it helps companies release new features and bug fixes more quickly, reduces downtime, and lets teams respond to customer needs without the long delays that happen when development and operations don’t talk to each other.

Where is it used?

  • An e-commerce site rolling out daily price updates and new product pages.
  • A mobile-app company pushing weekly app-store releases while keeping the backend servers stable.
  • A financial services firm automating compliance checks before deploying code to production.
  • A streaming platform scaling its infrastructure automatically during peak viewing times.

Good things about it

  • Speeds up the release cycle, getting value to users sooner.
  • Improves stability and reduces production bugs through automated testing and deployment.
  • Encourages a culture of shared responsibility, breaking down “us vs. them” barriers.
  • Enables scalable, repeatable processes that work the same way across projects.
  • Provides better visibility into the whole software lifecycle, helping teams spot problems early.

Not-so-good things

  • Requires a cultural shift; teams may resist changing long-standing habits.
  • Initial setup can be complex and costly, needing new tools, training, and infrastructure.
  • Over-automation can hide underlying issues, making troubleshooting harder if not managed well.
  • May introduce security risks if pipelines aren’t properly secured and monitored.