Naming Conventions for Production Environments

Naming conventions are a crucial aspect of software development, providing consistency and clarity in various stages of the development lifecycle. In this article, we will explore the most common naming conventions for production environments, focusing on GitLab CI/CD, GitHub Actions, domain names, branch names, Docker Compose files, and Dockerfile names.

GitLab CI/CD Convention

In GitLab CI/CD, the convention for naming pipeline stages in production environments commonly involves using “prod” as the keyword. This convention ensures that pipeline stages are easily identifiable and aligned with the production deployment process.

GitHub Actions Convention

Similar to GitLab CI/CD, GitHub Actions also adopts the convention of using “prod” to name pipeline stages in production environments. This convention provides consistency and clarity within GitHub Actions workflows for production deployments.

Domain Names

When it comes to domain names for production environments, it is common practice to use a primary domain name without any specific prefix or suffix. For instance, “example.com” represents the main production domain where the application or service is hosted.

Branch Names

In terms of branch names, the most commonly used convention for production environments is to use “main” or “master” as the branch name. These names indicate the primary branch where the stable and production-ready code resides.

Docker Compose Files

For Docker Compose files specific to production environments, the common convention is to use “docker-compose.yml” as the filename. This naming convention implies that the file represents the overall composition and configuration of the application in the production environment.

Dockerfile Names

When naming Dockerfiles targeting production environments, it is customary to use the straightforward name “Dockerfile” without any additional suffixes. This convention signifies that the Dockerfile contains instructions for building the production-ready image of the application.

Conclusion

Consistency in naming conventions is essential for effective communication and collaboration within production environments. The most common conventions for production environments include using “prod” as the naming convention for pipeline stages in GitLab CI/CD and GitHub Actions. Domain names typically utilize the primary domain without any specific prefixes or suffixes. Branch names commonly use “main” or “master” to represent the primary production branch. Docker Compose files are often named “docker-compose.yml” to reflect the overall composition of the application in the production environment. Lastly, Dockerfiles targeting production environments are typically named “Dockerfile” without any additional suffixes.

While these conventions are widely used, it’s important to consider the specific requirements of your project and align with your team’s preferences. By following best practices in naming conventions, you can enhance clarity, maintain consistency, and ensure smooth collaboration within your production environments.

Remember, naming conventions should be agreed upon within your team and documented to ensure everyone understands and follows the established conventions consistently.