I've been exploring the use of DevContainers and initially thought they were a great way to specify a base image that everyone could work from. It seems like a solid idea, especially if you're using VSCode since it allows for seamless integration. The concept is to build a container with just the necessary dependencies needed for development. However, I've run into issues where it seems like there's no way to maintain customized developer-specific DevContainers without standardizing everything at the repo level.
For instance, my Neovim setup could clash with someone else's configurations, or a teammate who just wants to use VSCode without any extra features. Our projects may not utilize Python, but I need it for my personal tools. I can add Python post-install, but committing all these individual setups to the main repository could lead to a cluttered configuration. I'm curious, how do experienced developers manage diverging workflows within a small team while integrating smoothly into a DevContainer environment?
3 Answers
You should essentially keep the repo clean by only including standard configurations that the team agrees on. Any personal setups should be local and not interfere with the main project. And if you feel that devcontainers might not work for your team due to varied preferences, there are other approaches like local scripts or using Docker Compose to just get the environment right without much extra overhead.
Honestly, having a standardized development environment is pretty valuable, especially for easing onboarding. I get that it can feel restrictive, but it can really save time for new developers. Everyone just installs Docker, a runtime, git, and an editor, then checks out the repo, and they're good to go. It's all about simplifying the setup rather than complicating it. Sure, your team might be small and have varied workflows, but using a DevContainer can still provide some structure.
That's a good point, but isn't it a problem when different tools are involved? Like, if some are using VSCode while others prefer Neovim or even Eclipse. Shouldn't each dev's preferences be accommodated somehow?
The main point of using DevContainers is standardization, which makes it easier to manage dependencies and development workflows. If the tool doesn't fit your team's workflow, it's perfectly fine to explore other methods that are better suited to your needs. Remember, DevContainers are great for larger projects where you can align tools to streamline the development process, but for smaller teams, it might just complicate things rather than help.
I guess I'm realizing that maybe I was thinking too narrowly about the benefits. It seems like a balance is needed between using DevContainers and allowing some flexibility.
But wouldn't that lead to issues when everyone's using different editor settings? We might end up complicating things even more if everyone's doing their thing.