Learn HELM with Real Code Examples

Helm uses YAML-based charts to describe Kubernetes resources and dependencies.

Supports templating to parameterize Kubernetes manifests.

Facilitates versioning, rollbacks, and releases of applications in Kubernetes clusters.

Integrates with CI/CD pipelines for automated deployments.

Widely used in DevOps and cloud-native environments for managing complex applications.

Charts - package structure for Kubernetes apps

Templates - parameterized YAML manifests

Values - customizable configuration for deployments

Helm CLI - deploy and manage charts

Chart Repositories - central storage for sharing charts

Chart - package for a Kubernetes application

Release - deployed instance of a chart

Template - parameterized Kubernetes manifest

Values - configuration data for templates

Repository - collection of charts

Chart.yaml - metadata about the chart

values.yaml - default configuration values

templates/ - directory with Kubernetes manifests

charts/ - directory for chart dependencies

README.md - documentation for the chart

Create a chart skeleton using `helm create`

Define templates and default values

Package chart with `helm package`

Deploy chart with `helm install`

Upgrade or rollback releases using `helm upgrade/rollback`

Beginner: Deploy a simple Nginx chart

Intermediate: Parameterize charts for multiple environments

Advanced: Build multi-service applications with dependencies

Expert: Automate multi-cluster deployments

Architect: Enterprise-grade Helm chart library and CI/CD integration

Helm vs Kustomize -> Template-based vs overlay-based customization

Helm vs Kubectl -> Package management vs raw manifest management

Helm vs Terraform -> Application deployment vs infrastructure provisioning

Helm vs Ansible Kubernetes module -> Declarative vs procedural automation

Helm vs Skaffold -> Package manager vs dev workflow automation

2015 - Helm initial release by Deis

2016 - Helm 2 introduces Tiller (server-side component)

2019 - Helm 3 removes Tiller, client-only architecture

2021 - Helm 3.x adds enhanced library charts

2023 - Helm 3.12 stable release with chart improvements

Chart - packaged Kubernetes application

Release - deployed instance of a chart

Template - parameterized manifest

Values - configuration parameters

Repository - storage for Helm charts