Monday Rant: The pseudo-science of DevOps

Bridging the Gap: Why DevOps Teams Need to Understand Programming Fundamentals

As DevOps practices have become increasingly prevalent in the software industry, some of us have noticed an interesting linguistic quirk emerging within the DevOps community. Instead of using the well-established programming term "variables," many DevOps practitioners have adopted the term "interpolation" when referring to dynamic configuration values.

At first glance, this might seem like a harmless semantic difference. However, upon closer inspection, it reveals a potential gap in the understanding of fundamental programming concepts among some DevOps technicians.

The term "variable" in programming refers to a named placeholder that can hold different values during the execution of a program. This concept of variability is central to the way software is developed and deployed. Variables allow developers to write flexible, adaptable code that can respond to changing requirements and environments.

In the context of DevOps and infrastructure as code (IaC), configuration files, scripts, and templates often need to include dynamic values that can change based on the environment, deployment, or other factors. These dynamic values are not defined within the code itself, but rather are "interpolated" into the configuration files or templates at runtime.

Supposedly, the use of the term "interpolation" in DevOps is intended to emphasise this dynamic nature of configuration values. However, the underlying concept is still that of a variable – a value that can change and adapt to different scenarios.

This is where the potential disconnect arises. Some DevOps practitioners may view these "interpolated" values as static, rather than recognising them as true variables. This misconception can lead to suboptimal practices and a failure to fully leverage the power of variables in configuration management and IaC.

The root of this issue may lie in a lack of understanding of the distinction between variables and constants in programming. A "constant" is a value that does not change throughout the execution of a program, while a "variable" is a value that can change. If DevOps professionals are treating all configuration values as "variables" when some of them are truly intended to be constant, they are missing an important nuance.

To bridge this gap, DevOps teams need to have a strong grasp of core programming concepts and terminology, even if their primary focus is on infrastructure and configuration management. When serving the developer community, it is important to apply the correct terminology, such as distinguishing between variables and constants. Doing so can help avoid misunderstandings, lead to better communication, and ultimately, more effective DevOps practices.

By embracing a deeper understanding of programming fundamentals, DevOps practitioners can enhance their ability to collaborate with their development stakeholders, leading to more seamless and efficient software delivery pipelines. After all, DevOps is all about breaking down silos and fostering a shared understanding between development and operations.

So, the next time you hear a DevOps technician using the term "interpolation" instead of "variables," take a moment to reflect on the underlying concepts. By ensuring a solid foundation in programming principles, DevOps teams can elevate their practices and contribute to the overall success of the software development lifecycle.

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