Linear Pipelines
Linear pipelines are a software development and data processing methodology where tasks or stages are executed sequentially in a fixed, non-branching order. Each stage depends on the successful completion of the previous one, forming a straightforward flow from input to output. This approach is commonly used in CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment), data ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes, and batch job automation.
Developers should use linear pipelines when they need simple, predictable workflows with minimal complexity, such as in basic build-test-deploy cycles or sequential data transformations. It's ideal for scenarios where tasks have clear dependencies and no parallel execution is required, offering easier debugging and maintenance compared to more complex pipeline structures. However, it may be inefficient for independent tasks that could run concurrently.