Azure DevOps, now known as Azure DevOps Services or Azure DevOps Server (depending on the deployment model), is a comprehensive set of development tools and services offered by Microsoft to help teams plan, develop, test, deliver, and monitor software projects. It provides a platform for collaboration and automation throughout the software development lifecycle, enabling teams to work together efficiently and deliver high-quality software faster.

Azure DevOps includes several core components and services:

1. Azure Boards: This is a work tracking system that helps teams plan, track, and manage work across the development process. It supports Agile methodologies, Scrum, Kanban boards, and customizable workflows. You can create and manage user stories, tasks, bugs, and features using this component.

2. Azure Repos: This is a version control system that supports both Git and Team Foundation Version Control (TFVC). It enables teams to securely store and manage source code, collaborate on code changes, and review code through pull requests.

3. Azure Pipelines: This is a continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) platform that automates the build, test, and deployment processes. It supports building and deploying applications to various platforms, including cloud services, on-premises servers, and containers. You can define pipeline workflows using YAML or through a visual interface.

4. Azure Test Plans: This component is designed for manual and exploratory testing. It provides tools for creating test plans, test suites, and test cases, as well as tracking test results and defects.

5. Azure Artifacts: This is a package management system that allows teams to create, publish, and share packages (such as NuGet, npm, Maven, etc.). It helps manage dependencies and ensure consistent and reliable software builds.

6. Azure DevOps Services: This is the cloud-hosted offering of Azure DevOps, which provides all the above services as a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform. It eliminates the need for managing infrastructure and provides automatic updates and scalability.

7. Azure DevOps Server: This is the on-premises version of Azure DevOps, formerly known as Team Foundation Server (TFS). It offers similar capabilities to the cloud version but allows organizations to host and manage their DevOps infrastructure within their own data centers.

Key benefits of Azure DevOps include:

• Collaboration: It promotes collaboration among development, testing, and operations teams by providing shared tools and visibility into the development process.

• Automation: Azure DevOps helps automate build, test, and deployment processes, reducing manual effort and increasing efficiency.

• Traceability: It offers end-to-end traceability, linking work items, code changes, builds, and deployments, which aids in auditing and compliance.

• Scalability: The cloud-based version provides scalability and flexibility to accommodate projects of different sizes and complexities.

• Integration: Azure DevOps integrates seamlessly with other Azure services and third-party tools, enabling a tailored development environment.

• Insights: It provides reporting and analytics capabilities to track project progress, identify bottlenecks, and make data-driven decisions.

Azure DevOps is widely used by software development teams to improve collaboration, streamline processes, and deliver high-quality software faster.