4 Platform Engineering Tools that every developer must explore in 2024
Published: 2024-01-09 05:06:28

In the ever-evolving landscape of software development, Platform Engineering Tools play a pivotal role in streamlining and optimizing the deployment and management of applications. These tools, such as Docker, Kubernetes, GitLab CI/CD, and Terraform, offer innovative solutions to address different aspects of the software development lifecycle.

Let's explore them

**1. Containerize Your Application with [Docker](docker.com)**
Meet Docker, the superhero of software! It's like a magic box, making apps run smoothly on any computer. Picture it as a digital lunchbox, keeping everything neat and tidy. With Docker, developers avoid pesky 'It works on my machine' issues. It's like having mini-computers (containers) inside your computer! Docker is a tech superhero, speeding up app building and sharing. Think of it as a virtual sandbox for your programs to play in. It's a lifesaver for techies, making software deployment a breeze. Docker helps break big apps into smaller parts for smoother teamwork. From coding to deployment, Docker's your trusty companion in the tech world.

**2. [GitLab](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/ci/) CI/CD**
Ever heard of GitLab CI/CD? It's your buddy for making software development smooth and ongoing.

GitLab CI/CD follows three key methods:

1. Continuous Integration (CI)
2. Continuous Delivery (CD)
3. Continuous Deployment (CD)

It's a game-changer because it doesn't just stop at these methods. It automatically kicks into action with Auto DevOps! Picture this: it builds, tests, deploys, and even keeps an eye on your apps without you breaking a sweat.

But here's the cool part: It sniffs out bugs and errors early on, making sure that by the time your code hits the big leagues (production), it's all up to the code standards you've set for your app. Smooth sailing from development to deployment!"

**3. Container Orchestration with [Kubernetes](https://kubernetes.io/)**

Before we go for kubernetes(K8s) let me tell you a story for what is "Orchestration"

Imagine you're hosting a grand party with various activities happening simultaneously—a live band playing music, a buffet serving delicious food, and guests engaging in games. As the host, you're orchestrating the event, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

Orchestration, much like hosting this party, involves coordinating multiple tasks and elements to work together seamlessly. In our story, you're the orchestrator who plans, manages, and oversees all the party aspects.

You have a schedule detailing when the band should start, when the food will be served, and when the games commence. Similarly, in technology, orchestration involves setting rules and schedules for different tasks to ensure they happen in the right order and at the right time.

Just as you make sure the band doesn't start playing during mealtime, orchestration in technology ensures that one task doesn't interfere with another. It ensures that containers (like different aspects of the party) work harmoniously without clashing or causing disruptions.

Overall, orchestration is the art of managing and organizing multiple tasks or components, making sure they work in harmony, just like a well-coordinated and enjoyable party!

Now, let me tell you about Kubernetes—it's like a master organizer for your digital world! Think of it as this incredibly efficient conductor overseeing your containers, ensuring they work together harmoniously. It's like having a trusted tech wizard in your corner, effortlessly managing your applications. Imagine Kubernetes as your reliable assistant, taking care of the complex stuff behind the scenes, so you can focus on crafting amazing apps. It's the superhero of the software world, guaranteeing that your apps perform seamlessly. Picture it as a traffic controller for your software, directing the flow effortlessly. Kubernetes automates tasks, making your life easier while handling multiple containers with finesse. It's your guardian angel for containers, ensuring they're always up and running smoothly. From scaling applications effortlessly to keeping everything in perfect balance, Kubernetes is your go-to solution. Simply put, in the realm of container orchestration, Kubernetes is your ultimate ally!

**4. Utilize [Terraform](https://www.terraform.io/) for Streamlining Infrastructure Provisioning through Automation**

Terraform stands at the forefront of modern infrastructure management, offering a powerful solution to streamline provisioning via automation. With Terraform's robust capabilities, deploying and managing infrastructure across various platforms becomes an effortless endeavor.

This cutting-edge tool enables users to define their infrastructure as code, facilitating easy replication, scaling, and modification of resources. By employing Terraform, organizations can achieve greater efficiency, consistency, and reliability in their infrastructure deployment processes.

Gone are the days of manual configuration and arduous provisioning tasks. Terraform automates these procedures, allowing teams to focus more on innovation and less on the intricacies of infrastructure setup.

Embracing Terraform means harnessing the prowess of automation, leading to faster, more reliable deployments and ultimately fostering agility within businesses. Its versatility spans across different cloud providers and on-premises environments, making it an indispensable asset for modern-day infrastructure orchestration.

There are many more tools like these which help us, I mentioned few that helped me a lot.