AWS CodeCommit vs AWS CodeStar: What are the differences?

AWS CodeCommit vs AWS CodeStar

AWS CodeCommit and AWS CodeStar are two services offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that assist in the development and deployment of software applications. Although they have some similarities, there are key differences between the two.

1. Integration with Other Tools: AWS CodeCommit is a fully managed source control service that allows developers to collaborate on code using Git. It provides integration with other AWS services such as AWS CodePipeline, AWS CodeBuild, and AWS CodeDeploy. On the other hand, AWS CodeStar is a fully integrated development environment (IDE) that not only provides source control management with AWS CodeCommit but also integrates seamlessly with other development tools like Amazon EC2, AWS CloudFormation, and AWS Lambda.

2. Built-in Project Templates: AWS CodeCommit does not provide any built-in project templates, and developers need to create repositories manually. In contrast, AWS CodeStar offers a variety of pre-configured project templates that can be used as a starting point for different types of applications. These templates include sample code, configurations, and resources, saving developers time and effort in setting up a new project.

3. Team Collaboration: AWS CodeCommit is primarily focused on providing a secure and scalable source control service for teams working on code. It offers features such as pull requests, code reviews, and permissions management to facilitate collaboration. On the other hand, AWS CodeStar goes beyond code collaboration and provides a platform for teams to collaborate on the entire development lifecycle, including project planning, issue tracking, and continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD).

4. Deployment Options: With AWS CodeCommit, developers can choose to deploy their code using AWS CodePipeline, which provides a flexible and customizable process for building, testing, and deploying applications. In contrast, AWS CodeStar provides an integrated CI/CD pipeline that automates the entire deployment process. It simplifies the setup and management of the pipeline, making it easier for developers to release their applications quickly and reliably.

5. Visibility and Monitoring: AWS CodeCommit provides basic visibility and monitoring capabilities such as audit logs, notifications, and code search. Additionally, it integrates with AWS CloudTrail and AWS CloudWatch for enhanced monitoring and logging. On the other hand, AWS CodeStar offers a centralized dashboard that provides visibility into the project status, including deployment logs, build and test results, and metrics. This allows developers to track the progress of their projects and identify any issues more effectively.

6. Managed Service vs Full Development Platform: AWS CodeCommit focuses solely on providing a managed source control service, allowing developers to maintain full control over other aspects of application development. In contrast, AWS CodeStar is a full development platform that combines several services and tools to streamline the development process. It provides a unified interface and manages the underlying infrastructure, reducing the operational overhead for development teams.

In summary, while AWS CodeCommit is a managed source control service that integrates with other AWS services, AWS CodeStar is a fully integrated development platform that provides a complete development lifecycle environment.