Software package hosting repositories help developers create, track, and maintain software packages. A code repo has a repository management tool that enables developers to access app packages, integrate the package with a version controlling systems, and track the deployment status of the packages. You may have heard a lot about the popular code registries like Python repository, npm repository, and Maven repository for Python, Node.js, and Java projects, respectively. Find below a list of popular package hosting repos for worry-free software development.
What Is a Software Package Repository?
If you’re a part of a DevOps team, you must have heard a lot about software package repositories like Maven repository or Python repository. You’ll mostly find that the software developers frequently use this term. If you’re new in the industry or an applications development enthusiast, you must know more about it. A software code repository is similar to a data center where numerous software packages are available for deployment or further development. Through package hosting repos, developers can collaborate more on any shared project. From the end-user point of view, users can easily access any updated or old software they need. Software repositories also let Linux computers access the application they need through a secure channel. Thus, Linux is less vulnerable to computer viruses since its apps are not readily available anywhere on the internet. Usually, the developers publish Linux-compatible apps through package hosting repositories. There are many industry terms for software repositories like “code repository” or simply “repo.” Developers store everything about the software package in a repo like the metadata and a table of contents. Code repositories like npm repository, Maven repository, or Python repository come with a repository management tool or source control for package updating and controlling all uploaded package versions.
How Does a Software Package Repository Work?
A package hosting repo could be free or subscription-based. There are various software publishers that maintain robust code repositories for public or private use. Find out more about how does a package hosting repository functions:
1. Strict Access Control
The reputable software repositories work closely with the digital data security system to keep their platform malware-free. Therefore, the repository vendors have developed a state-of-the-art access control system. Designated nodes or client-side computers come with predefined permission control systems. The software repositories also have unique digital signatures. When a permission control system finds an appropriate digital signature of a repository, the server allows the computer to access its saved source codes or deployable packages.
2. Client-Side Actions
You can access a code repository from a client device like a Linux computer. It will contain a package manager. Package managers enable you to install a software package from the repository or update the package from your workstation.
3. Server-Side Activities
A repository manager or source control usually manages the code repo. Repository managers also provide a caching proxy when aggregating other repository locations into a single URL. The repository manager may also delete irrelevant DevOps artifacts when you do not release them.
4. Primary Elements
A trunk, tags, and brunches are the primary elements of a package repository. The trunk usually possesses the latest version of a computer application development project. These files are the additional resources and the source code of the software. A developer can create a branch if they make considerable changes in the software code. Thus, branches usually store the new development angle of any software in the development pipeline. If the branch is effective, the developer merges it with the trunk. A developer can also discontinue the branch if they make any unwanted changes. Developers use various tags to save different versions of the software. For example, the DevOps team produces a “release tag” every time they publish a new version of the application.
Benefits of Software Package Hosting Repositories
Your software development project will enjoy multiple benefits when you utilize services from a package hosting repo. A few vital benefits are:
Managing different software versions becomes easy and automatic since code repos come with a repository management tool.You can group your applications in specific bundles locate them easily, especially when managing multiple DevOps projects.Creating a backup of the development projects becomes easier since all the source codes and artifacts are available in one central location.Strict version control and footprint tracking help you identify if someone has tampered with the code or not.Developers can easily collaborate on one app without making multiple copies. Thus, you need a repository for remote collaboration on DevOps projects.Repositories work like a restore point for your software code. If any changes in the code develop more bugs, you can simply restore the program to an earlier stable version.Delivering software packages is effortless and secure with repositories since third parties can’t access or see the data being sent to the client.
The advantages of a package repo are many, and the followings are some of the popular platforms that you can try out:
JFrog
JFrog is a robust code repo service provider with various dedicated services through its products like JFrog Container Registry, Artifactory, Pipeline, Distribution, Xray, and Connect. It offers various repository services like npm repo, Python repository, and Maven repository. Thus, the platform works as the start to finish solution for software development from development to production. It offers its services through self-hosted and cloud solutions. If you need services for an enterprise-level DevOps project, you may opt for onsite hosting. On the contrary, if you’re a small business or startup, you can get the cloud services at a small scale and upgrade as your user volume rises.
Packagecloud
Packagecloud is another code repo that you can use for reliable, secure, and fast software development. It also enables you to deliver software distribution packages to any infrastructure via dedicated REST API and CLI. It offers unique products for various development languages and platforms. Its significant offerings are NPM registry, Debian packages, Maven repository, RPM packages, RubyGem packages, and Python Repository. It offers subscription plans for the entire software development community through flexible options like Free Plan, Pro Plan, and Enterprise Plan. The Free Plan is suitable for you if you’re a solo developer learning about the agile software development process or DevOps.
Sonatype
You can think of Sonatype if you need an efficient tool for software repository management. Its products like the Nexus Repository OSS is a free tool to get if you want to manage code repo on your own. On the other hand, the Nexus Repository Pro comes with dedicated support. Both the products help you manage artifacts and binaries universally. The platforms also support various DevOps activities for software development. For example, you can store and distribute npm repo and Maven repository components. It supports trending software development tools like IntelliJ, Eclipse, Jenkins, Hudson, Docker, and many more.
CloudRepo
If you are looking for a specialist code repo for Python and Maven projects, try out CloudRepo. For your Python repository or Maven repository, it offers a secure, private, and simple platform for sharing, managing, and distributing binaries. It offers various package hosting repo for DevOps projects like Public Repositories, Proxy Repositories, Private Repositories, Release Repositories, Snapshot Repositories, Webhooks, etc. CloudRepo is good for you if you are a software publisher, startup, app development team, or a group of software developers.
JitPack
JitPack is a user-friendly package repository for DevOps projects that use Git for source code management. It offers various software development features like app documentation publishing, data statistics, snapshots, private repositories, and custom domains. It is a CDN-powered package repository. Therefore, you can deliver DevOps artifacts to your development team anywhere in the world through a content delivery network (CDN) with fast download speeds.
npm Pro
Nth permutation mathematics, popularly known as npm Pro is one of the largest software repositories with global acceptance. The platform supports both public and private DevOps projects. For example, you’ll see computer application developers from the entire world use this cloud platform for borrowing or sharing software packages. Also, enterprises and startups use npm Pro to manage their DevOps artifacts in a private repository on the cloud. The npm repository enables you to adapt packages, run packages, share source code, control software package access, and so on.
GitHub Packages
GitHub is a popular software development tool for any DevOps project. GitHub also offers you code repo services through the GitHub Packages. If you’re already working on the Github platform and need a reliable software repository, you can try out the GitHub repository. It lets you consume software packages within your organization or team securely. You can also collaborate with an external development team effortlessly on GitHub Packages. GitHub Packages offer four easy subscription plans. These are Free, Pro, Team, and Enterprise. If you’re a beginner-level software developer, you try the platform using the Free subscription.
Cloudsmith
Cloudsmith is another trusted tool for the development, deployment, and distribution of software packages. Thus, for the need of npm repo, Python repository, or Maven repository, you can check out this tool. The platform is highly efficient for the package management of large businesses, startups, and enterprises. You don’t need to use different tools for different apps since it offers universal compatibility for all software packages. Also, it lets you leverage the power of the digital cloud and high-tech source code security.
Helix Artifacts
Helix Artifacts should be on your preferred list if you are specifically looking for a private package repo. Public or third-party repositories often mess up your software build by interjecting malicious artifacts, corrupting the source code, or intercepting encrypted data. Thus, you may be looking for a secure place where your developers can build and deliver the perfect app for your customers. You get complete command over who can access, deploy, edit, or use the artifacts you store.
AWS CodeArtifact
If you want to get professionally-managed software repo services, you can try out AWS CodeArtifact. You can store, share, and publish application packages through this tool. You can also configure this tool to fetch packages and dependencies from open-source and public code repos. Thus, your software developers always have the necessary source code they need. Whether you use the Maven repository, npm repo, or Python repository, AWS CodeArtifact supports all of them.
Pulp
You can manage software package repositories using Pulp. It enables you to distribute your applications to a large consumer base securely and easily. The platform can also mirror your code repo in full or part. You can alternatively use Pulp as a code repo, and it functions as Maven repository, npm repository, or Python repository. Since the platform supports various development methodologies, you can manage different programming language-based source codes in one reliable place.
MyGet
MyGet is also a popular universal package manager with robust security. You can continuously and conveniently monitor all of the software package-related lifecycle of your DevOps project on this platform. Therefore, whenever you need an efficient package manager for npm repo, Maven repository, RubyGems repository, PHP repository, or Python repository, you can check out MyGet. It offers real-time software license tracking so that your developer team only uses approved packages.
ProGet
ProGet offers various repository services so that you can keep all of the DevOps project packages in one secure server. If you’re working on containerized software, you can effortlessly distribute components and applications, Helm charts, and Docker images via universal packages. The tool also lets you collaborate on developer libraries. Your DevOps team can internally or externally share pre-tested and pre-built codes.
Gemfury
You can use or install your software programming codes anywhere using Gemfury. A predefined list of DevOps project managers or developers can securely access packages remotely as it is a cloud-based package repo. Gemfury repo cloud is suitable for both public and private DevOps projects. You can minimize the cost of software development by using repo services from this platform and cutting down costs on maintaining an in-house source code repository.
Conclusion
You can get started with software development projects by choosing any of the above-mentioned package hosting services for apps of either Linux, Windows, or macOS. When you choose an efficient and secure programming code repos mentioned above, you improve the overall quality and compliance of the software development project. You can also check out the ultimate list of DevOps tools to find out the popular tools you need to include in your software development technology stack.
