What is Gitlab and Its Features? Uses and More [Updated 2024]
GitLab is a web and cloud-based open-source DevOps software that was developed by a Dutch and Ukrainian developer in 2011. It uses GIT as a version control system that allows you to develop, operate, and secure your softwares. In fact, you can track histories in your codebase, manage changes, and make improvements.
Apart from this, if you are on who is interested in knowing what is GitLab and how does it work actually, this article is going to be very interesting for you. Let’s check out some important features of GitLab below.
Important Features of GitLab Software
GitLab offers many features and is updated continuously by the developers. If you visit GitLab’s official website you can see the features you can enjoy depending upon the plan you choose. In fact, the suitable solutions for you are sorted by company size and industry type.
Well, choosing any plan depends upon your core needs. But you should know the benefits and uses of all the features it provides. So, you can better understand what is GitLab and its features.
Explore all the core features of the software one by one:
GitLab Pages
One of the most appreciated features that GitLab offers is GitLab Pages.
As you know GitLab uses GIT as a version control system, so it offers repository tools. Pages have an in-depth connection with it because it’s a static site hosting service that you can get with GitLab and publish static-type websites directly. You can use plain HTML or SSG generator for this purpose.
There are a lot of benefits to using GitLab pages. Like you can use custom domains, implement SSL certificates for securing your website, and also a CDN network.
CI/CD
It stands for continuous integration and continuous delivery which is a great feature provided by GitLab. If we talk about (CI) – Continuous Integration, it’s the practice of automating the whole procedure of software development. Using the feature, you only need to commit your code to the codebase, and GitLab will build and test the code.
Meanwhile, if there’s any error in your code, you can fix it earlier.
In contrast, (CD) – Continuous Delivery ensures automatic deployment of your code to production. That’s how you can speed up the procedure and fix any kind of issues.
Database Management
GitLab allows developers to create and manage databases from scratch. There are various tools provided by the software that make it easier to write and automate code writing, testing, and even deployment.
You can try various programming languages to create databases on GitLab but the most compatible ones among developers are Python, JavaScript, and Java. While the databases include MySQL and PostgreSQL. You can store, manage, and improve code – even migrate your whole database or collaborate with other developers on the same platform.
Also read: Creating a Website Using CSS and HTML: Step by Step Guide!
Source Code Management
GitLab offers a source code management feature due to which you can track changes during the whole software development cycle, make improvements, and prevent further errors. Not finished here, with this, you can create branches and then merge them into the actual codebase.
Now, you can store your code history, manage and improve, or even go back to the previous versions if required. Just download the snaps of history and edit your codebase accordingly.
DevOps Tools
DevOps tools allow developers to work together as a team and collaborate effectively to avoid errors and deliver the project fast. By using such tools, we can avoid high costs, various errors, and slow project deliveries. Talking about DevOps tools by GitLab, include CI/CD, configuration management tools, source code management tools, project monitoring tools, and more.
To identify which DevOps tools are right for you, identify your project needs.
Application Safety & Security
GitLab mainly focuses security and safety of your application throughout the whole procedure of software development. It has introduced various tools and features like GitLab code security and Snyk to scan your codebase and find errors and vulnerabilities. Using these tools, you can identify potential flaws like XSS – cross-site scripting, SQL Injection, and Command Injection.
Apart from this, if you are using any dependencies in your codebase, GitLab’s dependency scanning feature will scan for vulnerabilities and help you take timely action. You can also enjoy container image scanning, DAST – dynamic application security testing, supply chain security, and much more with GitLab.
Container Registry
GitLab integrates a container registry due to which you can easily store, manage, and even deploy container images along with your codebase. This feature is highly appreciated by developers worldwide because GitLab’s container registry is private, secure, and only accessible to authorized users.
You can manage access control, scan for vulnerabilities, use CI/CD for automated building, and much more with GitLab’s container registry.
Tracking and Solving Issues
GitLab has introduced issue-tracking features that help you to identify various errors and issues that you have in your codes and database which may be harmful later. Upon deep scanning, GitLab ensures that there’s no vulnerability or anything else that is disturbing the codebase. Either you have created it on your own, or related to any third-party dependencies, etc.
With this system, you can easily find out the bugs and solve them before they ruin your project.
Code Snippet Sharing
This feature is also known as Gists which allows multiple developers who are working on a shared project to collaborate on reusable pieces of code. Meanwhile, it’s the best way to store, manage, and organize codebases, as well as a centralized platform to utilize existing solutions.
The best thing about this feature is that both public and private repositories can use it. In fact, various developers can comment and collaborate, view previous versions, and check for history to find opportunities.
What is Pipeline in GitLab?
If we define it simply, pipeline in GitLab refers to the set of instructions, a roadmap, or a blueprint in which all the steps that are necessary and going to be executed in your project are mentioned. Meanwhile, all the steps for building, testing, and deploying codes in databases.
Pay attention – the best thing about this GitLab feature is that it can be automated. You can automatically repeat the procedure and ensure everything is going efficiently on its path.
The simplified diagram of a pipeline feature in GitLab is as follows:
Start -> Build -> Test -> Deploy -> End
What is Merge Request in GitLab?
A merge request in GitLab refers to the permission you have to get from other co-developers working on the shared project when you are making any change in the code and want to merge it with the actual codebase.
It works best sometimes that anyone cannot make any change without your permission. But sometimes, it irritates that you have to get permission for every minor change. Overall, it’s a good feature when you are working on large-size sensitive projects.
What is GitLab Runner Used For?
A GitLab runner is a software agent that is responsible for the completion of tasks defined in the CI/CD pipeline of GitLab. The platform selects authorized and registered runners from its pool considering some factors like location, availability, and resource requirements, and then assigns tasks. The runner reports back to GitLab and updates the task statuses accordingly.
GitLab runners are of three types depending upon how they are managed. The types include self-registered runners, Gitlab-managed runners, and External runners. They are manually registered, managed by GitLab, and even indirectly hired sometimes.
GitLab vs GitHub: Which is the Best to Choose in 2024?
As you know, GitHub and GitLab both are popular GIT repository hosting platforms and primarily work on the same services. Meanwhile, they allow you to collaborate with multiple developers, write and manage codes, and even publish static websites. But still, there are some key differences between them which may make one better than another.
Pay attention – For public repositories, both of these platforms are free. While you can also get premium plans to enjoy additional features.
To help you identify the right choice between GitLab and GitHub, we made a comparison. See below.
Hosting
GitHub is a cloud-hosted platform while GitLab is also cloud-hosted, as well as self-hosted platform.
Pricing
GitHub is free for public repositories, while premium plans for private repositories are also there. In fact, up to 3 repositories for public are also free. On the other hand, GitLab is free for public repositories, while premium plans with advanced features also there for private repositories.
Core Features
The core features of GitHub platform include issue tracking and CI/CD system. While GitLab mainly focus on container registry and source management.
Community Standards
Both GitHub and GitLab have large and active community worldwide.
The above comparison shows great differences between both of the platforms, but still, the best method to find out the right one is to try both of them considering your specific requirements. We also recommend you consider your company size, budget, technical expertise, and needs to finalize one.
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Conclusion
We shared everything about GitLab and its features above in the article along with much more important things related to this platform. We mentioned how RemotePlatz can help you hire the best GIT developers who can help you make databases, their management, security, and much more with great efficiency.
Now, it's your turn. Leave your kind opinions quickly in the comment box below.
