AWS CodeBuild vs Blue Ocean: What are the differences?

Introduction

AWS CodeBuild and Blue Ocean are two popular tools used in the field of software development. While both of them serve the purpose of building and deploying applications, there are several key differences between the two. This article will outline the main differences between AWS CodeBuild and Blue Ocean.

1. Integration with AWS Services: AWS CodeBuild is a fully managed continuous integration service provided by AWS, which integrates seamlessly with other AWS services such as AWS CodeCommit, AWS CodeDeploy, and AWS CodePipeline. On the other hand, Blue Ocean is a plugin for Jenkins, an open-source automation server. Blue Ocean provides a more user-friendly interface and visualizations for Jenkins, but it does not have the same level of native integration with AWS services as CodeBuild.

2. Customizability and Configuration: CodeBuild allows users to define custom build environments through the use of buildspec files. This gives users more control over the build process and allows them to install specific dependencies or execute custom scripts. Blue Ocean, on the other hand, relies on the configuration set up in Jenkins. While Jenkins provides a high level of customizability, it requires users to have a deeper understanding of its infrastructure and configuration files.

3. Pricing Model: AWS CodeBuild follows a pay-as-you-go pricing model, where users are charged for the number of build minutes used. This makes it more cost-effective for smaller projects or teams with irregular build requirements. Blue Ocean, being an open-source plugin for Jenkins, does not have a specific pricing model. However, users need to consider the cost of running and maintaining the infrastructure on which Jenkins is deployed.

4. Scalability and Availability: As a managed service, AWS CodeBuild automatically scales the infrastructure to accommodate the build workload. It provides high availability and a scalable environment, which ensures faster build times and reduces the chances of downtime. Blue Ocean, on the other hand, relies on the underlying Jenkins infrastructure and requires users to manually scale and manage the infrastructure for high availability.

5. Ease of Use: AWS CodeBuild is designed to be user-friendly and accessible to all levels of expertise. It offers a simple web interface and easy integration with other AWS services. Blue Ocean, while providing a more modern and intuitive interface for Jenkins, may require a certain level of expertise to set up and configure.

6. Community and Support: AWS CodeBuild is backed by the AWS community, which is known for its extensive documentation, active support forums, and regular updates. Blue Ocean, as an open-source project, has a vibrant community of developers contributing to its development and maintenance. However, the level of support and documentation may vary based on the individual user's needs and the availability of community resources.

In summary, AWS CodeBuild offers seamless integration with AWS services, customizability through buildspec files, a flexible and cost-effective pricing model, scalability and availability, ease of use, and strong community support. Blue Ocean, on the other hand, provides a more user-friendly interface for Jenkins, but may require a higher level of expertise for setup and configuration.