CI/CD Tools: Trends and Predictions for 2024
Published: 2023-11-12 14:24:39

## What Are CI/CD Tools? 

CI/CD tools are software applications that enable the automation of steps in the software delivery process. They facilitate the practice of continuous integration (CI), where code changes from multiple developers are regularly merged into a central repository. This approach allows for early detection and resolution of potential integration issues.

Continuous delivery (CD), on the other hand, is an extension of CI that ensures the code is always in a deployable state. CD tools automate the testing, building, and deployment of applications, enabling teams to release new features and updates to end-users more quickly and frequently. Now, with a basic understanding of what CI/CD tools are, let's dive deeper into some of the emerging technologies influencing the [evolution of CI/CD tools](https://codefresh.io/learn/ci-cd/ci-cd-tools-16-tools-delivery-pros-must-know-about/).


## CI/CD Tools: Emerging Technologies 


### Adoption of Serverless Architectures

Serverless architectures are another emerging trend influencing CI/CD tools. The serverless approach allows developers to focus on writing code, leaving the infrastructure management to the cloud service provider. This shift is driving the need for CI/CD tools that seamlessly integrate with serverless platforms and automate the deployment of serverless applications.

Serverless architectures also demand a change in the testing approach. Since serverless applications are event-driven, CI/CD tools need to adapt to support event-based testing. It's about ensuring our code functions correctly in response to different events, without worrying about the underlying infrastructure.


### Growth of Microservices and Their Impact on CI/CD Practices

Microservices architecture, where an application is built as a collection of small, independent services, is another trend shaping the evolution of CI/CD tools. Microservices allow for faster and more frequent deployments since each service can be developed, tested, and deployed independently.

However, the distributed nature of microservices also introduces complexities in integration and testing. CI/CD tools need to evolve to manage these complexities, enabling seamless integration and testing of numerous microservices.


## CI/CD Tools: Integration Trends 


### Increase in Demand for Cross-Platform Tools

As software development ecosystems become increasingly diverse, there's a growing demand for CI/CD tools that support multiple platforms. Developers today work with a myriad of programming languages, frameworks, and platforms.

Cross-platform CI/CD tools offer the flexibility to work with various technologies without the need to switch between different tools. These tools can automate the build, test, and deployment processes across multiple platforms, boosting productivity and efficiency.


### Enhanced Integration with Cloud Services

Cloud technology has become a staple in modern software development. The benefits of scalability, cost-efficiency, and accessibility make it an attractive option for businesses. As a result, CI/CD tools are evolving to offer enhanced integration with various cloud services.

Whether it's leveraging cloud-based environments for testing or deploying applications directly to cloud platforms, CI/CD tools are making it easier for teams to utilize the power of the cloud in their software delivery pipelines.


### Shift Towards Code Quality and Security Integration

Another integration trend in CI/CD tools is the increased focus on code quality and security. As the frequency of deployments increases, it's crucial to ensure that the quality of the software doesn't suffer.

Modern CI/CD tools are integrating code quality checks and security tests into the pipeline. These checks can automatically analyze the code for potential issues and vulnerabilities, enabling teams to address them before the software reaches the end-users.


## CI/CD Tools: Predictions for 2024 


### Unified Platforms

One trend that we're likely to see in the future is the rise of unified CI/CD platforms. These platforms will bring together all the tools and processes needed for continuous integration and delivery into a single, integrated environment. This will make it easier for developers to manage and coordinate their CI/CD pipelines, eliminating the need to switch between different tools and interfaces.

By integrating all the necessary tools and processes into one platform, unified CI/CD platforms will streamline the software development process. Developers will be able to focus on writing code, rather than managing multiple tools and systems. This will not only increase productivity but also enhance the quality of the software being developed.

Another advantage of unified CI/CD platforms is that they will provide a consistent and standard way of working. This will make it easier for teams to collaborate and share best practices, leading to more efficient and effective development processes.


### Self-Service and Automation

The future of CI/CD tools will also be characterized by increased self-service and automation. As more and more organizations adopt DevOps practices, there will be a greater demand for tools that enable developers to manage their own CI/CD pipelines. This will involve providing developers with the ability to create, modify, and manage their own pipelines, without the need for intervention from a dedicated DevOps team.

Automation will also play an increasingly important role in CI/CD tools. From code integration to testing to deployment, every step of the pipeline will be automated to some extent. This will not only speed up the development process but also reduce the risk of human error, ensuring that the software delivered is of the highest quality.


### Policy as Code

Another trend that we're likely to see in the future of CI/CD tools is the concept of 'policy as code'. This refers to the practice of defining and managing policies that govern the behavior of a system through code. By defining policies as code, they can be version-controlled, tested, and automated just like any other piece of software.

With the rise of cloud-native architectures and containerization, policy as code is becoming increasingly important. Developers need to ensure that their applications comply with a variety of policies, from security to performance to regulatory compliance. By incorporating these policies into the code, they can be automatically enforced and validated as part of the CI/CD pipeline.

Policy as code will also enable organizations to standardize their policies across multiple teams and projects. This will ensure consistency and compliance, while also making it easier to audit and track policy compliance.

In conclusion, the future of CI/CD tools looks very promising. With trends like unified platforms, self-service and automation, and policy as code, these tools will continue to evolve and improve, making the software development process even more efficient and effective.