Understanding Everything as Code: A Taxonomy and Conceptual Model

TL;DR

This paper presents a comprehensive taxonomy and conceptual model of Everything as Code (EaC), clarifying its scope, practices, and interactions within software development, supported by industry collaboration and practical examples.

Contribution

It introduces the first detailed taxonomy and conceptual model of EaC, providing clarity, guidance, and a foundation for future research in this emerging field.

Findings

Developed a taxonomy of 25 EaC practices across six layers

Created a conceptual model illustrating practice interactions in the software lifecycle

Validated models with industry experts and provided practical implementation examples

Abstract

Background: Everything as Code (EaC) is an emerging paradigm aiming to codify all aspects of modern software systems. Despite its growing popularity, comprehensive industry standards and peer-reviewed research clarifying its scope and guiding its adoption remain scarce. Aims: This study systematically analyzes existing knowledge and perceptions of EaC, clarifies its scope and boundaries, and provides structured guidance for researchers and practitioners. Method: We conducted a large-scale multivocal literature review (MLR), synthesizing academic and grey literature sources. Findings were analyzed quantitatively and thematically. Based on this analysis, we developed a taxonomy and conceptual model of EaC, validated through collaboration with industry experts. Results: The resulting taxonomy comprises 25 distinct EaC practices organized into six layers based on industry awareness and functional roles. The conceptual model illustrates focus areas, overlaps, and interactions among these EaC practices within the software delivery lifecycle. Additionally, practical code examples demonstrating the implementation of these practices were developed in collaboration with industry experts. Conclusions: This work addresses the current scarcity of academic discourse on EaC by providing the first comprehensive taxonomy and conceptual model. These contributions enhance conceptual clarity, offer actionable guidance to practitioners, and lay the groundwork for future research in this emerging domain.