Explore the Best CI/CD Books You Need in 2023

For software developers and DevOps professionals, Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Delivery (CD) represent not just best practices, but essential strategies for building high-quality software efficiently. Here’s a look at some must-read books that can transform how you manage your workflows and deployments.

1. Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Delivery (CD): A Practical Guide to Designing and Developing Pipelines

Authored by Henry van Merode, this comprehensive guide dives deep into CI/CD principles, showcasing practical steps to design and develop pipelines effectively. The 2023 publication discusses modern tools and practices, making it a must for anyone looking to enhance their development processes. Its practical insights and real-world examples not only help streamline your workflow but also empower teams to collaborate more effectively.

2. Continuous Integration: Improving Software Quality and Reducing Risk

This classic by Paul M. Duvall and others focuses on enhancing software quality while minimizing risks involved in the integration process. First published in 2007, it laid the groundwork for many of today’s CI practices. Thanks to its profound examination of CI concepts and best practices, it remains relevant and essential for both newcomers and seasoned professionals. This book will significantly bolster your understanding of quality assurance within CI.

3. Learning Continuous Integration with Jenkins

Nikhil Pathania’s upcoming book (2024) is poised to be the ultimate guide for those wanting to Master Jenkins CI/CD processes. This end-to-end guide sets out to create secure, resilient, and cost-effective processes. With step-by-step instructions and best practices for leveraging Jenkins, this book is particularly invaluable for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of CI/CD automation.

4. GitHub Actions in Action: Continuous integration and delivery for DevOps

Co-authored by Michael Kaufmann, Rob Ros, and Marcel de Vries, this gem comprehensively explores GitHub Actions, a powerful tool for automation in software development. This book is designed for those looking to implement DevOps practices using CI/CD methodologies. It covers everything from the basics to advanced usage scenarios, making it a perfect resource for modern development teams.

5. Learning GitHub Actions: Automation and Integration of CI/CD with GitHub

Brent Laster’s recent book focuses specifically on GitHub Actions, detailing how automation can enhance your CI/CD workflows. With a strong emphasis on practical applications, it serves as an excellent guide for developers who want to streamline their processes using GitHub’s native features. The detailed explanations of workflows, triggers, and integrations are particularly helpful for optimizing software deployment.

6. Continuous Delivery Pipelines: How To Build Better Software Faster

Dave Farley’s insightful text demonstrates how to implement effective continuous delivery pipelines. By focusing on key practices and techniques, Farley highlights how teams can build software more rapidly and deliver something of higher quality. The concepts tackled in this book can be game-changers for organizations looking to improve their software delivery processes.

7. Continuous Integration and Delivery with Test-driven Development

This collaborative work by Amit Bhanushali and team emphasizes the synergy between CI/CD and test-driven development (TDD). Published in 2024, it presents compelling reasons for adopting CI/CD pipelines while ensuring product quality. It’s an essential read for developers seeking to integrate quality assurance into their CI/CD strategies effectively.

8. Jenkins: The Definitive Guide: Continuous Integration for the Masses

John Ferguson Smart’s 2011 guide is still a treasure trove of information for all things related to Jenkins. This definitive guide walks you through Jenkins setup and configuration, clearly explaining all the intricate details necessary for successful continuous integration. With practical examples and step-by-step instructions, this book is invaluable for developers eager to harness Jenkins’ full potential.

9. Advanced GitLab CI/CD Pipelines: An In-Depth Guide for Continuous Integration and Deployment

As GitLab continues to grow as a popular option for CI/CD, Adam Jones’ upcoming 2024 book promises an in-depth guide aimed at helping developers master GitLab CI/CD methods. For professionals looking to deepen their knowledge, this book will cover advanced topics that can leverage CI/CD to drive software success.

10. CI/CD Unleashed: Turbocharging Software Deployment for Quicker Delivery

Tommy Clark’s future guide is set to explore how to speed up software deployment, making it essential for teams looking to enhance agility and responsiveness. Expected to release in 2025, this concise pocket guide promises to encapsulate the most effective strategies for CI/CD, facilitating a smoother and quicker software delivery experience.

In conclusion, integrating CI/CD into your software development process is crucial for achieving quality, speed, and collaboration. Each of these books offers unique insights that can help you become more proficient in your CI/CD practices.