Keep your dependencies in check

If Log4Shell, Spring4Shell, etc. have taught us anything, it’s that we need to keep our dependencies up to date. But updating our applications can take a lot of time. How do we stay on top of that, while also continuing to deliver business value?

Luckily, there are plenty of tools that can help us with this, from package managers to bots that can automatically create changes on our repositories. Let’s go over some of the different options, so we can make informed choices about what’s best for us in a particular situation.

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1. Keep your dependencies in check DevOxx UK - May 10-12, 2023 https://maritvandijk.com/ @MaritvanDijk77
2. @MaritvanDijk77
3. @MaritvanDijk77
4. @MaritvanDijk77
5. @MaritvanDijk77
6. Dec. 2021 @MaritvanDijk77
7. @MaritvanDijk77
8. @MaritvanDijk77
9. @MaritvanDijk77
10. March 2022 @MaritvanDijk77
11. @MaritvanDijk77
12. @MaritvanDijk77
13. @MaritvanDijk77
14. @MaritvanDijk77
15. @MaritvanDijk77 Do we need this dependency?
16. Selecting dependencies @MaritvanDijk77
17. Selecting dependencies @MaritvanDijk77
18. @MaritvanDijk77 https://xkcd.com/2347/
19. Selecting dependencies @MaritvanDijk77
20. Selecting dependencies @MaritvanDijk77
21. Selecting dependencies @MaritvanDijk77
22. Selecting dependencies @MaritvanDijk77
23. @MaritvanDijk77 Find information
24. Dependency information @MaritvanDijk77 https://search.maven.org/
25. Dependency information @MaritvanDijk77 https://search.maven.org/
26. Dependency information @MaritvanDijk77
27. Dependency information @MaritvanDijk77
28. Dependency information @MaritvanDijk77 https://package-search.jetbrains.com/
29. Dependency information @MaritvanDijk77 https://package-search.jetbrains.com/
30. Dependency information @MaritvanDijk77 https://package-search.jetbrains.com/
31. Dependency information @MaritvanDijk77 https://github.com/
32. Dependency information @MaritvanDijk77 https://github.com/
33. Dependency information @MaritvanDijk77 https://github.com/
34. No dependencies @MaritvanDijk77 Maintain dependencies
35. Maven • Overview of dependencies: `mvn dependency:tree` @MaritvanDijk77
36. Maven • Check for updates: `mvn versions:display-dependency-updates` @MaritvanDijk77
37. Maven • Check for updates: `mvn versions:display-dependency-updates` @MaritvanDijk77
38. Maven • Analyze dependencies: `mvn dependency:analyze` @MaritvanDijk77
39. Gradle • Overview of dependencies: `./gradlew dependencies` @MaritvanDijk77
40. Gradle • Add plugin, e.g. gradle-versions-plugin • Run `./gradlew dependencyUpdates` @MaritvanDijk77 https://github.com/ben-manes/gradle-versions-plugin
41. Gradle • Analyze dependencies • Add plugin (e.g. nebula) @MaritvanDijk77 https://github.com/nebula-plugins/gradle-lint-plugin/wiki/Unused-Dependency-Rule
42. IntelliJ IDEA: View Dependencies @MaritvanDijk77
43. IntelliJ IDEA: View Dependencies @MaritvanDijk77
44. IntelliJ IDEA: View Dependencies @MaritvanDijk77
45. IntelliJ IDEA: View Dependencies @MaritvanDijk77 https://www.jetbrains.com/help/idea/maven-projects-tool-window.html
46. IntelliJ IDEA: View Dependencies @MaritvanDijk77 https://www.jetbrains.com/help/idea/jetgradle-tool-window.html
47. IntelliJ IDEA: Dependency Analyzer @MaritvanDijk77 https://www.jetbrains.com/help/idea/work-with-maven-dependencies.html#dependency_analyzer
48. IntelliJ IDEA: Dependency Analyzer @MaritvanDijk77 https://www.jetbrains.com/help/idea/work-with-maven-dependencies.html#dependency_analyzer
49. IntelliJ IDEA: Dependency Analyzer @MaritvanDijk77 https://www.jetbrains.com/help/idea/work-with-gradle-dependency-diagram.html#dependency_analyzer
50. IntelliJ IDEA: Dependency Analyzer @MaritvanDijk77 https://www.jetbrains.com/help/idea/work-with-gradle-dependency-diagram.html#dependency_analyzer
51. IntelliJ IDEA: Dependency Analyzer @MaritvanDijk77 https://www.jetbrains.com/help/idea/work-with-gradle-dependency-diagram.html#dependency_analyzer
52. IntelliJ IDEA: Dependency Analyzer @MaritvanDijk77 https://www.jetbrains.com/help/idea/work-with-gradle-dependency-diagram.html#dependency_analyzer
53. IntelliJ IDEA • Package Search: Add dependency @MaritvanDijk77 https://www.jetbrains.com/help/idea/package-search.html
54. IntelliJ IDEA • Package Search: Add dependency @MaritvanDijk77 https://www.jetbrains.com/help/idea/package-search.html
55. IntelliJ IDEA @MaritvanDijk77 https://www.jetbrains.com/help/idea/package-search.html
56. IntelliJ IDEA: Update dependencies • Context Actions (⌥ ⏎ or Alt+Enter) @MaritvanDijk77 https://www.jetbrains.com/help/idea/package-search.html
57. IntelliJ IDEA: Update dependencies • Hover @MaritvanDijk77 https://www.jetbrains.com/help/idea/package-search.html
58. IntelliJ IDEA: Update dependencies @MaritvanDijk77 https://www.jetbrains.com/help/idea/package-search.html
59. IntelliJ IDEA • Hover (or Context Actions (⌥ ⏎ or Alt+Enter) @MaritvanDijk77 https://www.jetbrains.com/help/idea/package-search.html
60. IntelliJ IDEA • Package search: Dependencies tool window @MaritvanDijk77 https://www.jetbrains.com/help/idea/package-search.html
61. IntelliJ IDEA • Package search: Dependencies tool window @MaritvanDijk77 https://www.jetbrains.com/help/idea/package-search.html
62. IntelliJ IDEA: Dependency tool window @MaritvanDijk77 https://www.jetbrains.com/help/idea/package-search.html
63. IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate @MaritvanDijk77 • Package Checker https://www.jetbrains.com/help/idea/package-analysis.html
64. IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate: Package checker
65. IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate: Package checker
66. IntelliJ IDEA @MaritvanDijk77 https://www.youtube.com/@intellijidea
67. Pros & Cons + Check dependencies while working on the project - Check out each individual project - Apply & verify updates @MaritvanDijk77
68. Software Composition Analysis (SCA) • Scan all repos (and containers) • Overview @MaritvanDijk77
69. SCA: Pros & Cons + No need to check out repos individually - I have to check the dashboard - Apply & verify updates @MaritvanDijk77
70. @MaritvanDijk77 Bots • Dependabot • Renovate • Snyk Open Source
71. Dependabot • GitHub native • Features: • Alerts • Security updates • Version updates @MaritvanDijk77
72. Dependabot enable @MaritvanDijk77
73. Dependabot alerts @MaritvanDijk77 https://docs.github.com/en/code-security/dependabot/dependabot-alerts/about-dependabot-alerts
74. Dependabot alerts @MaritvanDijk77
75. Dependabot security updates @MaritvanDijk77 https://docs.github.com/en/code-security/dependabot/dependabot-security-updates/about-dependabot-security-updates
76. Dependabot version updates • Add dependabot.yml • Specify: • Package manager & location of manifest file • Schedule interval (daily, weekly, or monthly) • Optional: • Max. number of PR's (default 5) • Rebase strategy • Etc @MaritvanDijk77 https://docs.github.com/en/code-security/dependabot/dependabot-version-updates/about-dependabot-version-updates
77. Dependabot: Supported platforms • GitHub native • Can run on GitLab too @MaritvanDijk77
78. Renovate • Available via GitHub App • Features: • Security updates • Version updates • Project dashboard @MaritvanDijk77
79. Renovate enable @MaritvanDijk77 https://github.com/apps/renovate
80. Renovate enable - 3 @MaritvanDijk77
81. Renovate onboarding PR @MaritvanDijk77
82. Renovate configuration • All repos or selected repos • Config file is created for you • Scheduling • Max. number of PR's / concurrent branches • Rule based auto merge • More options & more fine-grained @MaritvanDijk77 https://docs.renovatebot.com/configuration-options/
83. Renovate PR @MaritvanDijk77 https://docs.renovatebot.com/merge-confidence/
84. Renovate Dashboard: Project @MaritvanDijk77
85. Renovate Dashboard: Jobs @MaritvanDijk77
86. Renovate: Supported platforms • GitHub (.com and Enterprise Server) • GitLab (.com and CE/EE) • Bitbucket Cloud • Bitbucket Server • Azure DevOps • AWS CodeCommit • Gitea @MaritvanDijk77 https://docs.renovatebot.com/#supported-platforms
87. Snyk Open Source • Available via Snyk • Features: • Security updates • Version updates • Test for new vulnerabilities (on PRs) • Test for vulnerabilities in source code • Dashboards @MaritvanDijk77 https://snyk.io/
88. Snyk enable @MaritvanDijk77 https://snyk.io/
89. Snyk enable - 2 @MaritvanDijk77
90. Snyk enable - 3 @MaritvanDijk77
91. Snyk enable - 4 @MaritvanDijk77
92. Snyk PR @MaritvanDijk77
93. Snyk PR @MaritvanDijk77
94. Snyk PR Check @MaritvanDijk77
95. Snyk dashboard @MaritvanDijk77
96. Snyk Open Source Configuration • Frequency (daily, weekly, never) • Enable/disable: New and/or known vulnerabilities • Enable/disable PR's for single project @MaritvanDijk77 https://docs.snyk.io/products/snyk-open-source/open-source-basics
97. Snyk Open Source: Supported Platforms • GitHub • GitHub Enterprise • GitHub Read-only projects • Bitbucket Cloud Personal Access Token (Legacy) • Bitbucket Cloud App • Bitbucket Data Center/Server • GitLab • Azure Repos @MaritvanDijk77 https://docs.snyk.io/integrations/git-repository-scm-integrations
98. @MaritvanDijk77 Bots • Dependabot • Renovate • Snyk Open Source
99. Bots: Pros & Cons + Relatively easy to install + Automatic PR's - Can create "noise" - Manage PRs (merge & deploy) - No code changes (if needed) @MaritvanDijk77
100. Migration tools @MaritvanDijk77
101. IntelliJ IDEA • Migrate Packages and Classes @MaritvanDijk77 https://www.jetbrains.com/help/idea/migrate.html
102. IntelliJ IDEA • Create New Migration @MaritvanDijk77
103. IntelliJ IDEA • Create New Migration @MaritvanDijk77
104. IntelliJ IDEA @MaritvanDijk77 https://www.youtube.com/@intellijidea
105. Error Prone • Static analysis tool for Java that catches common programming mistakes at compile-time. • Maven, Gradle, etc. • IntelliJ IDEA / Eclipse plugin, Command line • Bug patterns • Report or fix • Custom checks • Includes Refaster: refactor code using before-and-after templates @MaritvanDijk77 https://errorprone.info/
106. Error Prone @MaritvanDijk77 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPuLeoIzIR0
107. OpenRewrite • Source code refactoring for framework migrations, vulnerability patches, and API migrations • Early focus on Java • Kotlin - early support, actively developed • Groovy - focus on Gradle dependency manipulation, works on most Groovy source code too • Python • JavaScript - in development, not released yet @MaritvanDijk77 https://docs.openrewrite.org/
108. OpenRewrite • Existing recipes @MaritvanDijk77 https://docs.openrewrite.org/running-recipes/popular-recipe-guides
109. OpenRewrite • Existing recipes @MaritvanDijk77 https://docs.openrewrite.org/reference/recipes
110. OpenRewrite • Existing recipes • Can author recipes @MaritvanDijk77 https://docs.openrewrite.org/
111. More on OpenRewrite @ DevOxxUK @MaritvanDijk77
112. Conclusion •(Re)evaluate dependencies carefully •Automate checks & updates •Stay safe! @MaritvanDijk77
113. Slides & More https://maritvandijk.com/presentations/keep-your-dependencies-in-check/ @MaritvanDijk77