Automation can be implemented within application development in several steps. Of course, mobile app development requires several repetitive tasks including core rebuilds, utility deployments, service installs, or state restarts. Since these tasks are typically time-consuming, companies use automated scripts and code to reduce costs. As a mobile application developer, you should implement an automation framework that works with any stack, containerization software, and security layers. This way, you can create workflows to automate repetitive tasks. In this post, we will discuss how to implement automation within application development.
Identify Bottlenecks
First, identify and treat any bottlenecks affecting your application development practices. Start looking for pain points within your enterprise, focusing on small, clear, defined, and well-scoped bottlenecks. Then, decide which of these processes benefits most from automation. For instance, you can replace several manual tasks, automate new build feedback, or increase platform automation coverage with business artificial intelligence. Of course, you should implement the best tools for your chosen endeavor. Additionally, ensure your automation implementation efforts can demonstrate quantifiable results. Some of these results include release testing hours, number of builds tested per week, or platform coverage activities. Surely, bottleneck identification lends focus and direction to your development automation implementation.
Use Continuous Integration Strategy
Second, implement a continuous integration (CI) strategy during your application development processes. There is a wide range of CI tools available, each with its own enterprise use cases. Of course, choose the best solution for your company’s specific development needs. Then, configure your chosen tool to automatically recognize any changes to shared code repositories. This way, the software automatically tests the quality, syntax, and units on newly committed code. Any builds that fail to provide automatic notification to the developer responsible. Typically, this notification includes detailed reports and reasons why the build failed. This way, your CI strategy sets a higher standard for your developers’ code. Absolutely, a continuous integration strategy facilitates higher-quality code for your development endeavors.
Leverage Docker Registries
Third, leverage the full automation capabilities of a Docker registry during application development. Many Docker registries such as those from JFrog, expose extensive REST APIs and JFrog CLI clients. Use the REST API to access any feature anywhere in the development cycle. This way, you automate almost any action that can be performed through the user interface. Additionally, leverage the JFrog CLI client to simplify and optimize your automation scripts. These optimizations provide more efficiency, readability, and ease of maintenance to tools or products enterprise-wide. Certainly, Docker registries provide full automation and optimization of your app deliveries.
Pilot Phase Deployment
Next, run a pilot project using your application development automation implementation plan. Of course, observe the effectiveness and performance of your pilot with an actual, real-time process. Then, take your pilot’s results and make the necessary improvements. Next, determine the remaining scenarios that need to be automated, and which can remain exceptions. Additionally, you should involve various stakeholders during this step. This way, you demonstrate the cost, testing, and productivity improvements of your automation implementation. Collaboration and client involvement often strengthen company working relationships, as well. Definitely, pilot phase deployment allows you to evaluate the automation’s impact on your application development processes.
Script Maintenance
Lastly, perform continuous script maintenance to optimize your application development automation implementation. Simply update your scripts whenever a change request is made. With these updates, you ensure flawless execution when coping with the change requests. For instance, if a change requests support for additional languages, your implementation should allow simple, rapid updates to include the new language. Of course, this step requires you to follow several automation implementation best practices, such as Docker registry and CI usage. With these frameworks and practices in place, you can facilitate script maintenance processes. Maintaining your scripts keeps the automation flowing within your application development processes.
You can implement automation within application development using several steps. Implementing these powerful technologies, you can accelerate product delivery, maximize quality, and reduce risks. Simultaneously, you can streamline repetitive tasks and minimize human labor expenses. Start with bottleneck identification to lend focus and direction to your development automation implementation.
Second, continuous integration and delivery strategy facilitate higher-quality code for your development endeavors. Third, Docker registries provide full automation and optimization of your app deliveries. Next, pilot phase deployment allows you to evaluate the automation’s impact on your application development processes. Finally, maintaining your scripts keeps the automation flowing within your application development processes. Using this step-by-step guide, you can leverage automation for cheaper, faster application deliveries.