CNCF defines a "platform" as an integrated collection of capabilities serving a use case, a definition intended to encompass web application development, large-scale data analysis and operation of third-party "COTS" applications, to name a few.

Though platform engineering is in high demand today, per the CNCF's definition platforms have been an integral part of computing for decades - even an operating system like DOS or Unix also collects and brings consistency to disparate hardware functions to enable developing and running software.

So why are platforms so vital to cloud-native computing in particular? How should a platform in support of cloud-native software be constructed? In this panel discussion leaders of CNCF's WG Platforms and cloud-native end user companies will share answers to these based on their experiences and the WG's white paper and maturity model. We'll discuss popular approaches to constructing a cloud-native platform and tactics to mature your own practices.