Publish vs. Deploy — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 6, 2024
Publish typically refers to making content available to the public, such as in books or online, while deploy often pertains to rolling out software or hardware for use in a specific environment.
Difference Between Publish and Deploy
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
When someone publishes something, the primary goal is to make information, literature, or multimedia accessible to the public. This could involve releasing a book, article, or digital content. On the other hand, deploying generally involves setting up software or systems in a specific environment where they can be used operationally, such as deploying an application on a server or distributing hardware across a network.
Publishing is often associated with the media, academic, and digital content industries. It emphasizes dissemination of knowledge and entertainment. Whereas deployment is a term frequently used in IT and military contexts, focusing on the preparedness and arrangement of resources or systems for active use.
The act of publishing usually follows a completion of creative or intellectual effort, resulting in a final product that is shared with an audience. On the other hand, deployment can be part of an ongoing process where updates and maintenance are routinely required to keep the system or software functional.
In publishing, the audience is typically general public or specific readership groups who consume the published material. Conversely, deployment targets users or systems that utilize the software or equipment installed, often within specific operational contexts or to achieve certain tasks.
Tools and platforms used in publishing include content management systems, publishing platforms like WordPress, and traditional printing presses. In contrast, deployment might utilize software development tools, server environments, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Making content available to the public.
Setting up software or systems for use.
Associated Fields
Media, academia, digital content creation.
IT, software development, military.
Purpose
Dissemination of knowledge, entertainment.
Operational use, functionality.
Target
General public, specific readers.
Specific users, operational systems.
Tools/Platforms
Content management systems, printing presses.
Development tools, CI/CD pipelines, servers.
Compare with Definitions
Publish
Sharing of research findings in academic journals.
The professor publishes his findings in a prestigious journal.
Deploy
Launching a new service or application.
The company will deploy its new app next quarter.
Publish
Making content available for the public.
She publishes her poetry online for readers worldwide.
Deploy
To set up software or hardware for use.
They deploy new updates to the software every month.
Publish
The release of a book, article, or video.
They celebrated the publishing of their new cookbook.
Deploy
Rolling out updates or changes in a live environment.
Developers deploy patches to fix bugs in the system.
Publish
Broadcasting material via digital or print media.
The magazine publishes weekly feature stories.
Deploy
Distribution of resources for specific operational uses.
The army deploys troops strategically during missions.
Publish
To officially make information known.
The government publishes new guidelines annually.
Deploy
Implementation of systems across a network.
The IT team deploys new computers to all departments.
Publish
To prepare and issue (a book, music, or other material) for public distribution, especially for sale.
Deploy
To position (troops) in readiness for combat, as along a front or line.
Publish
To prepare and issue a work or works by (an author).
Deploy
To bring (forces or material) into action.
Publish
To bring to the public attention; announce.
Deploy
To base (a weapons system) in the field.
Publish
To issue a publication.
Deploy
To distribute (persons or forces) systematically or strategically.
Publish
To be the writer of works that are published.
Deploy
To put into use or action
"Samuel Beckett's friends suspected that he was a genius, yet no one knew ... how his abilities would be deployed" (Richard Ellmann).
Publish
(transitive) To issue (something, such as printed work) for distribution and/or sale.
The Times published the investigative piece about the governor both in print and online.
Most of the sketches Faulkner published in 1925 appeared in the Sunday magazine section of the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
The State combined public information strategies and published billboards, pamphlets, and newsletter articles under the campaign theme, Give 'Em the Boot.
Deploy
To be or become deployed.
Publish
(transitive) To announce to the public.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services published a press release on May 22, 2013.
The Bolshevik government published an announcement of the tsar's death.
No newspaper published the victim's name.
Deploy
To prepare and arrange (usually military unit or units) for use.
"Deploy two units of infantry along the enemy's flank," the general ordered.
Deploy some lifeguards on the beach
Teachers can deploy a wide range of resources in their classrooms.
Publish
(transitive) To issue the work of (an author).
Grove Press published many avant-garde authors.
Deploy
To unfold, open, or otherwise become ready for use.
He waited tensely for his parachute to deploy.
Deploy the airbag
The airbag will deploy on collision
Publish
To disseminate (a message) publicly via a newsgroup, forum, blog, etc.
Deploy
(computing) To install, test and implement a computer system or application.
The process for the deployment scenario includes: building a master installation of the operating system, creating its image and deploying the image onto a destination computer.
Publish
(intransitive) To issue a medium (e.g. publication).
Major city papers still publish daily.
Deploy
Deployment.
Publish
(intransitive) To have one's work accepted for a publication.
She needs to publish in order to get tenure.
Deploy
To open out; to unfold; to spread out (a body of troops) in such a way that they shall display a wider front and less depth; - the reverse of ploy; as, to deploy a column of troops into line of battle.
Publish
To be made available in a printed publication or other medium.
The article first published online, then in print the next day.
Deploy
To place (people or other resources) into a position so as to be ready to for action or use.
Publish
(programming) To make (information such as an event) available to components that wish to be notified (subscribers).
Deploy
The act of deploying; a spreading out of a body of men in order to extend their front.
Deployments . . . which cause the soldier to turn his back to the enemy are not suited to war.
Publish
To make public; to make known to mankind, or to people in general; to divulge, as a private transaction; to promulgate or proclaim, as a law or an edict.
Published was the bounty of her name.
The unwearied sun, from day to day,Does his Creator's power display,And publishes to every landThe work of an almighty hand.
Deploy
Place troops or weapons in battle formation
Publish
To make known by posting, or by reading in a church; as, to publish banns of marriage.
Deploy
To distribute systematically or strategically;
The U.S. deploys its weapons in the Middle East
Publish
To send forth, as a book, newspaper, musical piece, or other printed work, either for sale or for general distribution; to print, and issue from the press.
Publish
To utter, or put into circulation; as, to publish counterfeit paper.
Publish
Put into print;
The newspaper published the news of the royal couple's divorce
These news should not be printed
Publish
Prepare and issue for public distribution or sale;
Publish a magazine or newspaper
Publish
Have (one's written work) issued for publication;
How many books did Georges Simenon write?
She published 25 books during her long career
Common Curiosities
What is publishing?
Publishing is the process of making content available to the public.
How are publishing and deploying different?
Publishing focuses on dissemination of content, while deploying focuses on operational readiness and usage of systems.
What are common platforms for publishing books?
Traditional printing presses and digital platforms like Amazon Kindle are popular.
Can publishing apply to digital content?
Yes, digital content such as blogs, videos, and e-books are commonly published online.
What tools are used in publishing?
Tools like content management systems and publishing platforms like WordPress are used.
Is deploying always related to software?
No, deploying can also refer to the placement of physical resources, like military or equipment deployment.
What does it mean to deploy software?
Deploying software involves setting it up in a specific environment for operational use.
What is involved in deploying an application?
Deploying an application can involve setting up servers, configuring software, and rolling out updates.
Who benefits from publishing?
Authors, academics, and media companies benefit from publishing by reaching audiences.
Who benefits from deploying systems?
IT departments, software users, and organizations benefit from well-deploy systems.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
