Software Deployment
Jobs that require software deployment skills expect PHP developers to be proficient in the process of releasing code from development to a live production environment. This discipline, closely related to DevOps, focuses on making deployments reliable, automated, and frequent. A developer with these skills understands the entire lifecycle of code, from a `git push` to a successful launch that is monitored and stable for users.
The Modern PHP Deployment Pipeline
Software deployment for PHP applications involves a series of automated steps managed by a CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment) pipeline. This process typically begins with fetching the latest code from a Git repository, followed by installing dependencies with `Composer`. Automated tests are then run to ensure code quality. If the tests pass, the application is built and deployed to a server environment, which is often containerized using Docker. This automated workflow minimizes manual errors and enables faster release cycles.
Essential Deployment Skills
A developer proficient in software deployment possesses a versatile skill set that bridges development and operations.
- Experience with CI/CD tools like GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, or Jenkins.
- Strong proficiency with Git, including branching and merging strategies.
- Knowledge of containerization with Docker and Docker Compose.
- Familiarity with web server configuration (Nginx or Apache).
- Scripting skills, typically in Bash, for automation tasks.
