20 Helm Charts Interview Questions and Answers
Prepare for the types of questions you are likely to be asked when interviewing for a position where Helm Charts will be used.
Helm is a tool that helps you manage Kubernetes applications. Helm Charts are a way to package and deploy Kubernetes applications. When interviewing for a position that involves Helm, you may be asked questions about both Helm and Charts. In this article, we will review some questions you may be asked about Helm Charts so that you can be prepared for your next interview.
Helm Charts Interview Questions and Answers
Here are 20 commonly asked Helm Charts interview questions and answers to prepare you for your interview:
1. What is Helm?
Helm is a package manager for Kubernetes that allows you to install, upgrade, and manage Kubernetes applications.
2. Can you describe the architecture of Helm and its main components?
Helm is a package manager for Kubernetes that allows you to install, upgrade, and manage Kubernetes applications. The Helm architecture is based on client-server architecture, with a Helm client and a Tiller server. The Helm client is used to install, upgrade, and manage Kubernetes applications, while the Tiller server interacts with the Kubernetes API server to install, upgrade, and manage Kubernetes applications.
3. What are some common use cases for using Helm charts to manage applications in Kubernetes?
Helm charts are often used to manage stateful applications in Kubernetes, such as databases or message queues. This is because Helm charts can help you to manage the complex dependencies that these types of applications often have. Helm charts can also be used to manage applications that are deployed across multiple Kubernetes clusters, or to manage applications that are updated frequently.
4. Why is it important to version control your Helm Charts?
Versioning your Helm Charts is important for a few reasons. First, it allows you to track changes and revert back to previous versions if necessary. Second, it allows you to share your Helm Charts with others, and they can be confident that they are using the same version that you are using. Finally, it allows for automated updates to your Helm Charts, so that you can always be up-to-date.
5. How do you create a new chart with Helm?
The easiest way to create a new chart is to use the helm create command. This will create a new directory with the necessary chart files.
6. What’s the best way to view all available versions of a package on a remote repository?
The best way to view all available versions of a package on a remote repository is to use the “helm search” command. This will allow you to search for a specific package and see all of the available versions that are published on the repository.
7. Can you explain what a release is in Helm?
A release is a collection of resources that have been installed on a Kubernetes cluster using Helm. A release can be thought of as a snapshot of the resources that have been installed on a cluster at a given point in time.
8. What is a dependency in Helm? When would you decide to add dependencies to your Helm chart?
A dependency in Helm is a chart that your chart needs in order to function properly. You would add dependencies to your Helm chart when you need to include other charts in order to make your chart work correctly.
9. What is Tiller? What role does it play in Helm?
Tiller is the server component of Helm. It is responsible for managing the lifecycle of Helm charts, which are packages of pre-configured Kubernetes resources. Tiller runs inside of a Kubernetes cluster and can be used to install, upgrade, and delete Helm charts.
10. Explain how variables work in Helm.
Variables in Helm work similarly to variables in other programming languages. You can set a variable to a specific value and then reference that variable throughout your code. When you reference the variable, the value that you set for the variable will be used. This can be helpful when you want to use the same value in multiple places but don’t want to have to keep typing it out.
11. What are the different types of values that can be used in Helm templates?
The three types of values that can be used in Helm templates are objects, strings, and integers. Objects are used to represent complex data structures, strings are used for simple text values, and integers are used for numeric values.
12. Is it possible to store secrets like passwords or API keys, in the same file as other template parameters? If yes, then how?
No, it is not possible to store secrets in the same file as other template parameters. Secrets should be stored in a separate file, and then referenced by the template file.
13. How do you define entry points for containers in a Helm chart?
You can define entry points for containers in a Helm chart by using the containerSpec object in the chart’s values.yaml file. In the containerSpec object, you can specify the name, image, and command for each container, as well as any other desired configuration options.
14. What is the difference between helm install and helm upgrade commands?
The helm install command will install a new instance of a chart, while the helm upgrade command will upgrade an existing instance of a chart.
15. What is the recommended strategy for deploying multiple copies of an application with Helm?
The recommended strategy for deploying multiple copies of an application with Helm is to use a combination of the `helm install` and `helm upgrade` commands. The `helm install` command can be used to deploy a new instance of an application, while the `helm upgrade` command can be used to update an existing instance of an application.
16. How do you enable RBAC support when installing Helm?
RBAC support can be enabled by passing the –rbac flag to the helm install command. This will cause Helm to create the necessary RBAC resources in order to provide access control to the Helm installation.
17. How do you rollback a Helm deployment if something goes wrong?
You can use the Helm history command to see the revision history of a given deployment. If you need to rollback to a previous revision, you can use the Helm rollback command.
18. What is the purpose of tests in a Helm chart?
The purpose of tests in a Helm chart is to verify that the chart can be installed and that it functions as expected. These tests can be run automatically when the chart is built, and they can also be run manually by users who want to verify the chart before installing it.
19. What are some best practices you should follow when working with Helm charts?
Some best practices to follow when working with Helm charts include:
– Keep your charts simple and modular
– Use official charts whenever possible
– Use namespaces to organize your charts
– Be consistent in your chart naming
– Use labels to annotate your charts
– Use comments to document your charts
20. What are some alternatives to Helm that are worth considering?
There are a few other options for package managers for Kubernetes, including ksonnet and kubectl. However, Helm is still the most popular option and is used by many large companies.