Issues Faced Before Containers & Dockers Development
The Intricacies Often Overlooked
While software development might seem straightforward—write code, build it, test it, and deploy it—the devil is often in the details. Understanding these details can shed light on the challenges that developers face, and subsequently, the relief that Docker brings to the table.
The Journey of Code: A Walkthrough
Let's dissect the steps involved in the traditional software development pipeline:
Code Writing: Initially, the developer writes the code. For the sake of illustration, let's consider this code is for a website.
Code Building: Post-writing, the code goes through the build process. Here, the code, along with its various libraries and functions, is made into an executable file. This merging of components into a single runnable entity is what we refer to as "building the code."
Quality Assurance: Once built, the executable code is sent to the testing team. Their role is pivotal for two reasons:
- Scenario 1: If the code passes the tests, it moves on to the deployment phase.
- Scenario 2: If the code fails, it's sent back to the developers for revision, accompanied by a list of errors, issues, and bugs.
The Hidden Hurdles
While the pipeline may look seamless on the surface, several underlying challenges can make this process less than ideal:
Dependency Hell: Different stages of the pipeline might require different environments, leading to conflicts and errors.
Inconsistency: The code that works perfectly on a developer's machine may behave differently on the tester's machine or in production due to variations in configurations.
Resource Intensive: Every stage might require its unique setup, consuming time, effort, and computational resources.
The traditional software development pipeline, while effective, has its share of complexities and challenges. Recognizing these intricacies helps us appreciate the innovations that Docker brings to modern software development, essentially streamlining this entire process.
