Automation

/ˈɪn.frəˌstrʌk.tʃər əz koʊd/

noun — “turning your ops into a script so servers build themselves while you nap.”

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) is the practice of managing and provisioning computing infrastructure through machine-readable configuration files, rather than manual hardware setups or interactive configuration tools. It treats servers, networks, databases, and other resources as code, enabling versioning, automated deployment, and repeatable, predictable setups across environments.

/kənˈtɪn.ju.əs dɪˈlɪv.ər.i/

noun — “getting your code out the door automatically, like a vending machine for software.”

Continuous Delivery (CD) is a software engineering approach where code changes are automatically prepared for release to production, ensuring that the software is always in a deployable state. Unlike traditional release cycles that batch features and fixes, Continuous Delivery emphasizes small, incremental updates with automated testing and validation, reducing risk and accelerating delivery timelines.

/dɛvˌɑːps/

noun — “where developers and operators stop fighting and start collaborating… kind of.”

DevOps is a set of practices, cultural philosophies, and tools that unites software development (Development) and IT operations (IT Operations) teams to deliver applications and services faster, more reliably, and with continuous feedback. It emphasizes automation, monitoring, and collaboration throughout the application lifecycle — from coding and building to testing, deployment, and maintenance.

/kənˌfɪɡ.jəˈreɪ.ʃən ˈmæn.ɪdʒ.mənt/

noun — “the discipline of keeping your systems from improvising.”

Configuration Management is the practice of systematically controlling, tracking, and maintaining the settings, dependencies, and operational state of systems so they behave consistently over time. In computing, Configuration Management ensures that infrastructure, applications, and environments remain predictable, reproducible, and resistant to accidental drift.

noun — “telling computers what to do… very firmly… one line at a time.”

Shell Scripting is the practice of writing small programs, called scripts, that instruct a command-line shell how to execute a sequence of commands automatically. These scripts act as glue between tools, turning individual commands into repeatable workflows. If typing the same commands more than twice makes you sigh, Shell Scripting has already been invented for you.

/kənˈtɪn.ju.əs ˌɪn.tɪˈɡreɪ.ʃən/

noun — "merging code frequently so conflicts become annoying instead of catastrophic."

Continuous Integration (CI) is a software development practice where developers frequently merge their code changes into a shared repository. Each merge triggers automated builds and tests, allowing teams to detect integration issues early and ensure software quality throughout the development lifecycle.

Technically, Continuous Integration involves:

/ˌsiː-en-siː/

n. “The automated control of machine tools using computer-generated instructions.”

CNC, short for Computer Numerical Control, refers to the use of computers to control machine tools with high precision and repeatability. Instead of being operated manually, CNC machines follow a programmed set of instructions that dictate exact movements, speeds, and tool actions.

/ˌeɪˈaɪ/

n. “Machines pretending to think… sometimes convincingly.”

/ˌsiː-ˌɛl-ˈaɪ/

n. “Type it, execute it, watch it happen.”

The CLI, or Command-Line Interface, is a text-based interface used to interact with a computer or software by typing commands rather than using graphical elements like buttons or menus. It is the original way humans communicated with machines before GUIs became ubiquitous, and it remains a powerful tool for developers, system administrators, and power users.

/æps skrɪpt/

n. “Automate the mundane, orchestrate the web.”

Apps Script is a cloud-based scripting platform developed by Google that allows you to extend and automate Google Workspace applications such as Sheets, Docs, Forms, Gmail, and more. Using JavaScript-like syntax, you can write scripts that manipulate data, create custom workflows, or integrate with external APIs without needing to manage servers.