A Swiss Army knife in Platform Engineering
And my main principles that streamline building an Internal Developer Platform.
Intro
In platform engineering, choosing the right tools can be overwhelming. Many platforms have evolved, bringing new challenges and opportunities. This article introduces Torque, an Infrastructure as Code (IaC) deployment tool that aligns with several guiding principles to simplify platform development.
Guiding Principles
Before diving into how Torque can help, let’s explore the principles that guide the construction of a robust internal developer platform:
- Minimize Information Overload for Developers: Developers should not reinvent the wheel. Using blueprints or templates can reduce complexity, much like libraries simplify code development. The goal is to maintain a seamless developer experience, minimizing cognitive load.
- Prioritize Developer Experience: Every tool or process must enhance, not detract from, the developer experience. If a new approach impacts this negatively, it’s worth reconsidering its implementation.
- Minimize Tool Collection: Each additional tool introduces complexity and costs. To avoid unnecessary tool sprawl, aim for multipurpose tools that address multiple challenges. This can significantly reduce maintenance overhead and streamline the developer workflow.
⭐ There are many tools available that can be used as a ‘Swiss Army knife’. In recent weeks, I tried one of them. Let’s meet Torque.⭐
What is Torque?
Torque stood out among IaC deployment tools for its versatility and alignment with these principles. Here’s why:
- Ease of Use: Torque lets you turn IaC modules into blueprints or templates and manage them through a catalog, making it easy for developers to find and use what they need. It provides a clear and user-friendly interface, making the entire process transparent.
- Developer Self-Service: Developers can quickly set up cloud environments, including production, without heavy oversight. This autonomy speeds up workflows and reduces bottlenecks.
- Improved Compliance and Cost Management: Torque’s built-in auditing and logging features ensure transparency and compliance. Additionally, it can help identify cost overruns caused by excessive resource usage.
- Unified Infrastructure Catalog: Torque provides a centralized catalog for all infrastructure blueprints, ensuring consistency and reducing confusion. This structure is crucial for maintaining order and preventing drift over time.
Final Thoughts
Torque proves to be a versatile solution for platform engineering, addressing multiple challenges with a single tool. Its focus on developer experience, transparency, and cost management makes it a strong candidate for any platform engineering toolkit.
If you’re curious about how it works, Torque offers an open demo where you can deploy on their cloud to experience the workflow without any obligation or sales pressure.
Give it a try and see if it fits your needs.
