DevOps is a cultural and technical movement that unifies software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops) to shorten the systems development lifecycle while delivering features, fixes, and updates frequently in close alignment with business objectives. Born from the need to break down silos between traditionally separate teams, DevOps emphasizes automation, continuous integration and delivery, infrastructure as code, and collaborative workflows. A critical insight to keep in mind: DevOps is not a set of tools but a philosophy—success depends on cultural buy-in and process discipline as much as technical implementation. The tables below cover foundational concepts, modern practices, and advanced techniques that define how high-performing teams build and operate software in 2026.