Have you heard of the 12-Factor App?

The “12 Factor App” offers a set of best practices for building modern software applications. Following these 12 principles can help developers and teams in building reliable, scalable, and manageable applications.

Here’s a brief overview of each principle:

Codebase:

Have one place to keep all your code, and manage it using version control like Git.

Dependencies:

List all the things your app needs to work properly, and make sure they’re easy to install.

Config:

Keep important settings like database credentials separate from your code, so you can change them without rewriting code.

Backing Services:

Use other services (like databases or payment processors) as separate components that your app connects to.

Build, Release, Run:

Make a clear distinction between preparing your app, releasing it, and running it in production.

Processes:

Design your app so that each part doesn’t rely on a specific computer or memory. It’s like making LEGO blocks that fit together.

Port Binding:

Let your app be accessible through a network port, and make sure it doesn’t store critical information on a single computer.

Concurrency:

Make your app able to handle more work by adding more copies of the same thing, like hiring more workers for a busy restaurant.

Disposability:

Your app should start quickly and shut down gracefully, like turning off a light switch instead of yanking out the power cord.

Dev/Prod Parity:

Ensure that what you use for developing your app is very similar to what you use in production, to avoid surprises.

Logs:

Keep a record of what happens in your app so you can understand and fix issues, like a diary for your software.

Admin Processes:

Run special tasks separately from your app, like doing maintenance work in a workshop instead of on the factory floor.

Over to you: Where do you think these principles can have the most impact in improving software development practices?