Last Updated on August 28, 2024 by Arnav Sharma
Microsoft Azure DevOps and Visual Studio Team Services (VSTS) are related but distinct products, with Azure DevOps being the evolution and rebranding of VSTS. Here’s a comparison to help understand the differences and similarities:
Visual Studio Team Services (VSTS)
Overview:
- VSTS was an earlier version of what is now Azure DevOps.
- It provided a set of tools for software development and collaboration hosted in the cloud.
- VSTS integrated with other Microsoft tools like Visual Studio and Team Foundation Server (TFS).
Key Features:
- Code Repositories: Git repositories for source control.
- Build and Release: Continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.
- Work Item Tracking: Tools for tracking tasks, bugs, user stories, etc.
- Testing: Manual and automated testing tools.
- Package Management: Hosting and sharing packages with team members.
Azure DevOps
Overview:
- Azure DevOps is the rebranded and evolved version of VSTS.
- It offers more modular and flexible services, which can be used together or separately.
- Azure DevOps is designed to work well with any technology stack and platform, not just Microsoft tools.
Key Services:
- Azure Repos: Provides Git repositories or Team Foundation Version Control (TFVC) for source control.
- Azure Pipelines: CI/CD service that works with any language, platform, and cloud. Supports containers, Kubernetes, and more.
- Azure Boards: Agile planning tools for managing work items, sprints, and backlogs.
- Azure Test Plans: Comprehensive testing solution including manual and exploratory testing.
- Azure Artifacts: Integrated package management with support for Maven, npm, Python, and NuGet package feeds.
- Azure DevOps Server: An on-premises version of Azure DevOps, which is the evolution of TFS.
Advantages of Azure DevOps:
- Modularity: Each service can be used independently, giving teams flexibility.
- Integration: Strong integration with other Azure services and third-party tools.
- Scalability: Enhanced performance and scalability for large enterprises.
- Platform-Agnostic: Works well with various platforms and tools, not just Microsoft-centric environments.
- Enhanced Security: Improved security features and compliance with industry standards.
Migration from VSTS to Azure DevOps:
- The transition from VSTS to Azure DevOps is seamless for users as Microsoft provided migration paths and support.
- Existing VSTS users were automatically upgraded to Azure DevOps with their data and projects intact.
VSTS vs. Azure DevOps Terminology
The transition from Visual Studio Team Services (VSTS) to Azure DevOps involved not only an evolution in features and capabilities but also changes in terminology to reflect the more modular and integrated nature of the new platform. Here’s a comparison of the terminology used in both:
| VSTS Term | Azure DevOps Term | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Code | Azure Repos | Source control repositories supporting Git and TFVC. |
| Build and Release | Azure Pipelines | Continuous integration (CI) and continuous delivery (CD) pipelines for building, testing, and deploying. |
| Work | Azure Boards | Tools for planning, tracking, and discussing work across teams (work items, backlogs, sprints, etc.). |
| Test | Azure Test Plans | Manual and exploratory testing tools. |
| Package | Azure Artifacts | Package management for hosting and sharing packages with team members, supporting Maven, npm, NuGet, etc. |
| Visual Studio Team Services | Azure DevOps Services | The overall cloud-based suite of development tools and services. |
| Team Foundation Server (TFS) | Azure DevOps Server | The on-premises version of Azure DevOps Services, previously known as TFS. |
Detailed Comparison:
- Code / Azure Repos:
- VSTS: Known simply as “Code,” it provided Git repositories for source control.
- Azure DevOps: Renamed to “Azure Repos,” it continues to offer Git and TFVC repositories with enhanced features for collaboration and code review.
- Build and Release / Azure Pipelines:
- VSTS: The combined “Build and Release” service managed CI/CD processes.
- Azure DevOps: Split into “Azure Pipelines,” this service now offers more robust and scalable CI/CD capabilities, supporting a variety of platforms and languages, and integrating seamlessly with Kubernetes, Docker, and other modern deployment environments.
- Work / Azure Boards:
- VSTS: “Work” was the area for tracking work items, bugs, user stories, and planning sprints.
- Azure DevOps: Rebranded as “Azure Boards,” it provides agile tools to support Kanban and Scrum methodologies, along with customizable dashboards and reporting tools.
- Test / Azure Test Plans:
- VSTS: Known as “Test,” it included tools for manual and automated testing.
- Azure DevOps: Renamed to “Azure Test Plans,” it continues to offer comprehensive testing solutions, including manual, exploratory, and continuous testing capabilities.
- Package / Azure Artifacts:
- VSTS: “Package” allowed for package management and sharing.
- Azure DevOps: Now called “Azure Artifacts,” this service supports a wider range of package types and provides better integration with CI/CD pipelines.
- Visual Studio Team Services / Azure DevOps Services:
- VSTS: The overall suite of cloud-based development tools.
- Azure DevOps: Rebranded as “Azure DevOps Services,” it represents the next generation of VSTS, with modular services that can be used independently or together.
- Team Foundation Server (TFS) / Azure DevOps Server:
- TFS: The on-premises version of VSTS.
- Azure DevOps Server: The rebranded and updated on-premises version, offering all the capabilities of Azure DevOps Services for customers who prefer or require an on-premises solution.
FAQ:
Q: How can Azure DevOps be used for code quality and continuous integration?
Azure DevOps can be used to ensure code quality by integrating with various tools and services within the Azure DevOps platform. You can use Azure Pipelines for continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD), enabling code changes to be automatically tested and deployed. Code can be managed in a Git repository, and code with pull requests can be reviewed and integrated efficiently. Additionally, Azure DevOps supports various code quality tools, making it easier for the entire team to maintain high standards.
Q: What are the benefits of using Azure DevOps over other DevOps platforms?
The benefits of using Azure DevOps include its integration with other Microsoft tools like Microsoft Power BI, Microsoft Visual Studio and Eclipse, and its ability to be used on both cloud-based and on-premises environments. Azure DevOps provides a comprehensive suite of services, including Azure Boards for work item tracking, Azure Repos for source code management, and Azure Artifacts for managing dependencies. Azure DevOps also allows Azure AD integration for secure access and can be integrated with GitHub or any other Git provider for flexible source control management.
Q: How does Azure DevOps support on-premises environments?
Azure DevOps can also be used in on-premises environments through Azure DevOps Server. This option allows organizations to host the server on their own infrastructure, providing more control over the environment. This is particularly beneficial when the server can’t be exposed to the internet. Azure DevOps Server can integrate with SQL Server, SQL Server Reporting Services, and Analysis Services to provide detailed reporting and analysis capabilities.
Q: What are the options for using DevOps services with Azure?
You can use all the DevOps services available through Azure DevOps, which include Azure Repos for source code management, Azure Pipelines for CI/CD, Azure Artifacts for managing packages, Azure Test Plans for test management, and Azure Boards for tracking work items. These services can be accessed through the cloud-based Azure DevOps Services or through Azure DevOps Server for on-premises deployment. Depending on your needs, you can choose to use cloud-based services, on-premises services, or a combination of both.
Q: What security features are available when using Azure DevOps?
Azure DevOps offers several security features, including integration with GitHub advanced security for Azure. This advanced security feature allows for enhanced protection of your code and development environment. Azure DevOps can also be integrated with Azure AD for secure identity management. Additionally, Azure DevOps provides tools for managing code quality, such as pull requests and automated testing through Azure Pipelines, to ensure that code is secure and of high quality.
Q: How has Azure DevOps evolved from previous Microsoft offerings?
Azure DevOps has evolved from previous Microsoft offerings such as the Visual Studio Team System and Team Foundation Server (TFS). Microsoft rebranded TFS as Azure DevOps Server, bringing new features and services to the platform. This rebranding reflects Microsoft’s commitment to providing a comprehensive DevOps solution that integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft services like Azure and SQL Server, making it easier for development teams to collaborate and deliver high-quality software.
Q: What is the role of Azure Repos in Azure DevOps?
Azure Repos is a cloud-hosted service within Azure DevOps that provides version control to manage your code, whether you use Git or Team Foundation Version Control (TFVC).
Q: How do Azure Pipelines enhance CI/CD processes?
Azure Pipelines, a part of Azure DevOps Services, offers a cloud-hosted solution to automate builds, tests, and deployments across multiple platforms, enhancing the continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) processes.
Q: What is Azure Artifacts used for in Azure DevOps?
Azure Artifacts is a cloud-hosted service that allows teams to manage dependencies, share code, and manage packages like NuGet, npm, and Maven in a central location.
Q: How do Azure Boards help with project management?
Azure Boards provides a cloud-hosted environment for managing work items, tracking progress, and organizing tasks through Kanban boards, backlogs, and sprints, making project management efficient.
Q: What is the purpose of Azure Test Plans?
Azure Test Plans is a cloud-hosted tool within Azure DevOps that provides a solution for managing, executing, and tracking test cases to ensure high-quality releases.
Q: How does GitHub Advanced Security integrate with Azure DevOps?
GitHub Advanced Security for Azure DevOps is a cloud-hosted solution that integrates security features like code scanning and secret detection directly into your DevOps pipeline, enhancing code security and compliance.
Q: Why would a team choose Azure DevOps Services over Azure DevOps Server?
Teams might choose Azure DevOps Services over Azure DevOps Server to leverage the benefits of a cloud-hosted environment, such as easier scaling, automatic updates, and integration with other Azure services.