Automating DevOps with GitLab CI/CD Pipelines: Build efficient CI/CD pipelines to verify, secure, and deploy your code using real-life examples

I just finished reading this book, I really enjoyed it! All of the information is available in gitlabs docs and Blogs, but I prefer reading a book. The authors did a great job organizing and presenting a unified story. The first chapter or so feels like a gitlab sales pitch, but I had to remind myself that I choose this book because it I was focused on gitlab. If you feel the same keep reading! I learned about gitlab features and capabilities I didn't know existed. I have written a few ci pipelines for some small python projects in gitlab but after reading this book I have a lot of things to update and add.

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I have get to understand what GitLab offers especially on concept in the perspective of CI/CD. This book focuses on comprehending the concept why GitLab is required to achieve the modern DevOps CI/CD features.

One of the best parts of any book is the comparative section, demonstrating available options, and providing effective metrics. Since I recently reviewed an Azure work, this was a great opportunity to review and compare, “Automating DevOps with Gitlab CI-CD pipelines” ( Packt, 2023) by Christopher Cowell Nicholas Lotz Chris Timberlake . Of course, anyone with any software experience has used Git. Comparatively, this book possesses a much tighter focus on specific applications than the similar work on Azure DevOps. It includes an end-to-end approach to move from Git to Gitlab, automating those stages, and then some advanced operational options. The best part of the work was the full example in Chapter 11, I heartily recommend purchasing for anyone who works with Gitlab with any frequency.Starting out, there is a Git refresher that builds into using those same applications in the more extensive GitLab application. Any code development operation faces basic challenges in manual approaches based on time, errors, morale, and miscommunications. The chapter merges these with good DevOps concepts and suggests how GitLab solves through one license, application, account set, database, a common GUI and observable outcomes. The section then leans into Gitlab with some basic instructions and setting up an initial pipeline.Now that you understand the pipeline process, the next section turns toward advancing those pipelines toward automation. Key reference points are improving performance, security, and observability. As a security guy, Chapter 7 on security was exceptional, it detailed all the different types of testing, how to integrate those tests, and where one can observe the results. One type of security would have been nice, but working through all the fuzz, dependency, SAST, DAST, and other options helps accelerate delivering quality products. Finally, the section shows how to package those items for release.The last section then converts the pipeline into operations through issues like maintainability, business management, and provides an end-to-end example to follow along with the process. Maintainability depends on issues like purpose-built containers for re-use and parent-child relationships between pipelines, This expands into using feature flags to track specific deployments, integrating third-party tools, and offers a sample if your production target is on a mobile application. The book’s best chapter is eleven, bringing everything together in a full example. Even if you have had trouble following along, this chapter brings it together in one place.Very few books are compiled well enough that there are not any areas that could stand for improvement. This is one that clearly lays out what it intends to cover, and from what perspective, and then delivers those answers. As I read through, I did not find any areas that left me wondering where I was missing data, or where further analysis would have expanded the explanation. In starting with the basic Git approach, the book covers everything I needed to do about GitLab pipelines to start, and then build from there to continued success.Overall, I found this an excellent book and a must read for anyone working with GitLab to develop pipelines. “Automating DevOps with GitLab CI/CD Pipelines” (Packt, 2023) The book expands from initial Git to quickly suggest why one builds a pipeline, how it can be supported, and all the potential widgets to improve pipelines. While it does not explicitly suggest the best pipeline, all the pieces for each user to decide where the pieces fit, and then integrate are included. I recommended copies for all my current devs and would suggest you do the same. Again, a must-read for anyone working with GitLab pipelines.

The book "Automating DevOps with GitLab CI/CD Pipelines," authored by Christopher Cowell, Nicholas Lotz, and Chris Timberlake, is a remarkable achievement that serves as an invaluable resource for beginners in the realm of DevOps. I'd also like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Packt for publishing this insightful guide. With its comprehensive coverage of various aspects of DevOps, it ensures that readers have a solid foundation to start their journey.The authors start by demystifying the concepts of DevOps, Git, and GitLab, making it easy for newcomers to understand the significance of these technologies in modern software development. The "Hats for Cats" web app example provides a practical context for readers to grasp the challenges faced in manual code building, verification, and security testing.The authors have meticulously crafted a comprehensive and well-structured content that seamlessly guides readers through the essential concepts of DevOps, Git, and GitLab. Their ability to present complex ideas in an accessible manner is truly commendable. The inclusion of practical examples, real-world scenarios, and hands-on exercises greatly enhances the learning experience.This book stands as a testament to the authors' expertise and dedication in unraveling the intricate layers of DevOps practices. The depth of coverage provided for topics such as version control, code verification, security testing, and packaging underscores the authors' commitment to ensuring readers grasp these critical concepts.The inclusion of step-by-step instructions, accompanied by insightful screenshots, not only facilitates understanding but also empowers readers to put theory into practice. Moreover, the authors' attention to detail and their emphasis on best practices ensure that readers are well-equipped to implement DevOps methodologies effectively.The second part of the book delves into automating DevOps stages using GitLab CI/CD pipelines. The installation and configuration of GitLab Runners are explained comprehensively, enabling readers to set up their CI/CD environment effectively.The chapters on verifying code, securing code, and packaging and deploying code provide valuable insights into best practices for building, testing, and delivering software. The inclusion of various security scanning strategies, such as SAST, Secret Detection, DAST, Dependency Scanning, and Container Scanning, equips readers with essential skills to ensure the security of their codebase.The book concludes with advanced topics such as optimizing CI/CD pipelines for speed and maintainability, extending pipelines' capabilities, and troubleshooting common issues. These chapters provide readers with practical approaches to enhance their CI/CD workflows and troubleshoot problems that may arise.I would also like to express my gratitude to Packt for their continuous commitment to delivering high-quality technical content. Their support in making this valuable resource available to the community is highly commendable and greatly appreciated.In conclusion, "Automating DevOps with GitLab CI/CD Pipelines" is a comprehensive, well-crafted guide that not only equips beginners with the foundational knowledge of DevOps but also empowers them to embark on their DevOps journey with confidence. My sincere appreciation goes out to the authors and Packt for their outstanding contributions to the field of DevOps education.