Chef
Chef is an open-source configuration management and automation tool used for infrastructure as code (IaC). It allows developers and system administrators to define and manage infrastructure configurations using code, enabling consistent and repeatable deployment of servers and applications. Chef uses a Ruby-based domain-specific language (DSL) to describe system configurations, which are then applied to nodes (servers) through a client-server architecture.
Developers should learn Chef when working in DevOps or system administration roles that require automated, scalable infrastructure management, particularly in cloud or hybrid environments. It is especially useful for large-scale deployments where consistency across hundreds or thousands of servers is critical, such as in enterprise IT, e-commerce platforms, or SaaS applications. Chef helps enforce compliance, reduce manual errors, and streamline updates by treating infrastructure as code.