Software-based systems are the lifeline between the public and their access to essential government services. Equally important is the ability for software developers to continue improving those systems, just as they were before COVID-19 forced teams to rethink how they maintain operations remotely.
“From a developer’s perspective, they’re challenged to recreate the same environment in their homes that they had at work,” said Zohaib Khan, Organization Practice Lead, Public Sector Sales at Red Hat, an open source software provider.
So what options do agencies have to improve efficiencies for remote developers while also providing more security and agility? That’s where Red Hat CodeReady Workspaces come in, Khan said. Built on the open Eclipse Che project, Red Hat CodeReady Workspaces use Kubernetes and containers to provide development and IT teams with a consistent, m0re secure and zero-configuration development environment.
Khan shared three ways that CodeReady Workspaces equip developers for current and future demands.
1. Accelerated projects and onboarding of developers
The vast majority of developers are not containers or Kubernetes experts, but IT departments are embracing these solutions to improve application delivery. Realistically, training every developer to become a container and Kube expert first before being productive isn’t viable, and it’s time-consuming.
Using CodeReady Workspaces, authorized developers don’t need deep container knowledge to get started on projects. They can spend more time coding and less time managing the environment or sitting idle during a lengthy onboarding process. Plus, the user experience is as fast and familiar as an integrated development environment on a laptop, and it’s accessible via a browser.
Once the developers get started and become productive, they get valuable experience working with containers and Kubernetes. This allows them to build the depth incrementally.
2. No more inconsistencies and “it works on my machine…” delays
Containerized workspaces provide development teams with a more reliable foundation to work. Specifically, they make cloud-native development practical for teams, using Kubernetes and containers to provide each member with a consistent, preconfigured development environment. Developers can create code and build and test it in containers running on Red Hat OpenShift — the company’s version of enterprise Kubernetes.
Another benefit of CodeReady Workspaces is that it integrates with your existing development toolchain, which means developers don’t have to sideline tools they were already using in favor of something completely new.
3. Protected source code by removing it from hard-to-secure laptops
Today, much of the development work takes place on the laptop, which creates security risks if a device is lost or stolen. A laptop solution also makes it hard to replicate, share and secure everything the developer needs.
With CodeReady Workspaces, no source code gets downloaded on the local machine. Everything is delivered in a browser, creating a safer collaborative environment for teams.
Ultimately, the goal is to empower developers to contribute to a project faster. Containers and Kubernetes are the way of the future, Khan said. “We’re clearing the impediments in your way, and giving you an on-ramp to shorten the learning curve and boost productivity.”
This article is an excerpt from GovLoop’s recent guide, “Agile for Everyone: How to Improve Everyday Work Processes.” Download the full guide here.
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