Docker and Kubernetes, IoT, Elasticsearch as a Cache and the CI/CD Process — Perspectives from our Senior Developer

Welcome back to our digitalML spotlight series! Last month we spoke to Platform Director Mark Whitehead who gave his perspectives on Multi-cloud, Blockchain, DevOps and Digital Transformation Strategy.
This month we’re chatting with Ryan Jones, Senior Developer, who shares his views on:
- Docker, Kubernetes and containerization for simplifying processes and enabling scalability
- The IoT and privacy concerns it brings
- How problem solving can be the most rewarding part of his role
- Implementing Elasticsearch as a cache
- Why it’s worth setting up a CI/CD process driven by ignite to give one source of truth for service designs
Kubernetes and containerization help with service scalability and availability
Gemma: What are 1 or 2 industry trends that are interesting to you right now and why?
Ryan: Definitely Docker, Kubernetes and containerization. As a developer, I find the most frustrating part of my job is installing and configuring app servers, databases and other things within my development environment. Docker allows me to do this once and reuse the same image time and time again.
Kubernetes and containerization are interesting areas with a lot of traction right now as it enables services to be easily scaled. This is vital for a business looking to rapidly expand.
Kubernetes also offers container health checks; it’ll restart a service considered unhealthy if a restart policy is configured. This is especially useful as it acts as a quick response to ensure high availability.
Gemma: What emerging tech are you currently following?
Ryan: I’m really interested in the IoT and have lots of connected devices around the home, all linked through the Google Assistant.
Privacy is still a big concern for a lot of people though and it looks to be something the likes of Google and Amazon are trying to sort out. Some of these devices are essentially always listening.
I’ve read recently that Google is looking to rebrand their connected home offerings to Google Nest and with this, plan to clear up the concerns users like myself have about what data is collected and when.
The IoT is really exciting though, and there are countless ways it can help — Through IFTTT and Nest, both linked to my phone, I am able to set up an automatic instruction to turn on the heating when I leave work — so I never come home to a cold house!
On the rewarding nature of problem solving and implementing Elastic Search as a cache
G: What’s your favorite thing about being a Developer?
R: I really enjoy the problem-solving side of things. Sometimes you get complex cases, which take a lot of investigation and problem solving to find the root cause. The code change is usually the easiest part, its tracking down the faulty code that takes the time. That sense of accomplishment you get when a tricky case has been solved is great.
G: Having been at digitalML for 4+ years now, what’s been the most interesting project you’ve worked on?
Continuing reading about Ryan’s perspectives on Elastic Search, CI/CD Implementation, and more here.
Gemma Sindall
Gemma is a Marketing Manager at digitalML. She has a keen interest in digital strategy and the best ways to merge people, process and technology. Her experience spans Marketing and Client Services in the Technology and Financial Services industries.
Originally published at https://www.digitalml.com.
