Introduction into Deployment
This section defines the key notions of deployment.
Terminology
Deployment
A deployment is the controlled process of making a specific version of software, configuration, or infrastructure change available in a target environment (for example, development, staging, or production).
A deployment typically includes:
- Selecting a specific package or version
- Transferring it to the target system(s)
- Applying configuration and environment-specific settings
- Executing installation or update steps
- Verifying that the system is running as expected after the change
In other words, deployment describes the end-to-end process of delivering and activating changes in an environment.
Installation
An installation is the technical act of placing a package’s contents onto a system and making them usable by the operating system or runtime environment.
Installation usually involves:
- Copying files to specific locations
- Registering services or binaries
- Setting permissions
- Executing install or setup scripts
Installation focuses on what happens on a single system, not on the broader rollout or release process.
Deployment vs. Installation
Although closely related, deployment and installation are not the same:
- Installation is a technical step: it describes how a package is installed on a system.
- Deployment is a process: it may include one or more installations, along with preparation, configuration, validation, and rollback considerations.
A deployment can involve:
- Installing a new package
- Updating an existing installation
- Reconfiguring a service without installing new software
- Coordinating changes across multiple systems
In short:
- You install a package
- You deploy a change
Package
A package is a bundled, distributable unit that contains software components and, optionally, metadata such as version information, dependencies, scripts, or configuration templates.
A package may include:
- Application binaries or artefacts
- Configuration defaults
- Installation or upgrade scripts
- Dependency definitions
Packages are created to ensure that software can be distributed and deployed in a consistent and repeatable way.
Version
A version is a unique identifier assigned to a specific state of a package, application, or configuration at a particular point in time. Versions are typically expressed using numbers, labels, or a combination of both (for example, 1.4.2, 2026.02, or release-2026-02-15), depending on the versioning scheme in use.
- A package version identifies the exact contents of a package
- A deployed version indicates which package or configuration state is currently active in an environment
Deployment Procedures
....
Changelog
| Date | Author | Message |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-26 | aresnikowa | qc-0: How to reuse content |