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Which one of the following statements is correct:

  1. I deployed something to the test server.
  2. I deployed something on the test server.
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2 Answers

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I would say it depends where you are deploying. Deploying "to" the test server implies a remote operation - HTTP / ssh / ftp, amongst others. Deploying "on" the test server implies that you are at the console/GUI of the server, whether it be physically (touching the keyboard and mouse) or virtually (VNC or similar application that acts on the server itself).

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I considered mentioning this, but I didn't consider it a clear enough distinction. For instance, I'd put SSH in the class of on, not to. I guess to for me implies that the deployment consists (perhaps entirely) of a transfer, while on implies that any transfer has already taken place, and the deployment itself is a local operation such as running an application or unpacking an archive. – Jon Purdy Nov 28 '10 at 19:12
Hmm, yes, ssh would be an "on"; I think when I wrote my answer I was thinking scp, but ssh came out. If you look at it as two separate actions, then I would have to agree that deployment as you put it would always be a local operation. I generally view the process as one operation; part of the deployment is the transfer process itself, especially when the transfer process may even do some of, if not all of, the unpacking. – Will Nov 29 '10 at 12:45
up vote 5 down vote

Your examples require articles:

I deployed something to the test server.
I deployed something on the test server.

Otherwise, these two are exactly equivalent.

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+1 for the article :) – šljaker Nov 28 '10 at 1:30

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