This article is part of a series on Effective Package Management in Python, also available as a chapter in our free, downloadable eBook

For your usual Python deployment, maybe you just clone your application using git, install the dependencies with pip, and pray it all works out: a tactic referred to as Pull-and-Pray.

Spoiler alert, it’s not a good method.

Using Pull-and-Pray gets you problems like bloated deployment times, code errors, and differing apps from server to server.

I’m here to show you a better way.

You know about CI/CD and you’re already using Python, so what’s stopping you from using them together?

CI/CD with Python?

CI/CD may not seem like a fit with Python, after all, Python isn’t really “built” so there’s seemingly no need for CI, but together, these two will help you:

• avoid breaking deliverables
• create and maintain a stable base
• clone and commit frequently
• test rapidly

That sure beats the mess that Pull-and-Pray leaves you with.

You may be wondering how CI/CD can actually help you with your Python deployments. So, let’s look at what you stand to gain.

First, what are CI and CD?

Well, CI (continuous integration) helps with problems like poor quality control on new features or performance issues for end users. On the other hand, CD (continuous deployment/delivery) makes automatic changes that are bug tested, uploaded, and deployed.

What does this mean for Python?

CI gives developers control over implementing changes into their code and integrating it with the main codebase, and CD makes sure those changes are automatically bug-tested, uploaded, and deployed to production. Together with Python, CI/CD becomes the automation of building committed code and deploying it after testing.

You’re looking at three big benefits:

• Better quality software
• Faster delivery of ideas to market
• Cheaper implementation

Why you need a CI/CD Python pipeline

Do we agree then? It’s time to say goodbye to Pull-and-Pray and say hello to implementing your own CI/CD development pipeline. If you want an automated builder for your pipeline that makes life easier, you want BuildMaster.

BuildMaster is an impressive tool for implementing a CI/CD development pipeline thanks to its automation and customization. After you configure the development pipeline, it’s simple to use and maintain.

In just four steps you can set up your CI/CD development pipeline:

1. Configure your CI/CD tool for Python applications.
2. Connect to GitHub to pull your code from the source repository and use pip to install any dependent packages.
3. Once deployment is complete, an artifact will be created.
   Tip: BuildMaster stops hosting services, deploys, and restarts services.
4. Download the artifact from your tool or create a Universal Package and send it via file. Or you could distribute the deliverable as an executable windows program.

It’s time to increase your team’s overall code quality, save time, and get rid of the pain of assembling your own pipeline. You’ll never have to Pull-and-Pray again!

Try BuildMaster for free and read about how to implement your own CI/CD development pipeline.

Wow, we’ve covered a lot today, and you’ll want to keep track of the key points for future reference. Instead of just saving this article, why not grab a copy of our guide, Effective Package Management in Python? It dives deeper into the CI/CD topics we discussed here, plus it’s packed with useful information on custom GUIs, versioning, managing dependencies, license compliance, and much more. Sign up for your free copy today!