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Jenkins

Jenkins Introduction

1. What is Jenkins?​

  • Jenkins is an open-source automation server that helps automate the non-human part of the software development process.
  • It is primarily used for Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Delivery/Deployment (CD) pipelines.

2. Key Features of Jenkins:​

  • Continuous Integration: Jenkins can automatically build and test code changes, providing immediate feedback to developers.
  • Continuous Delivery/Deployment: Jenkins can automate the process of delivering and deploying applications to different environments (staging, production, etc.).
  • Plugins: Jenkins has a vast ecosystem of plugins that extend its functionality for various tools and technologies.
  • Distributed Builds: Jenkins supports distributed builds across multiple machines, enabling faster build times.
  • Web Interface: Jenkins provides a user-friendly web interface for configuring and monitoring jobs.
  • Pipeline as Code: Jenkins can define entire pipelines as code using the Pipeline DSL or Jenkinsfile.

3. Jenkins Architecture:​

  • Jenkins Master: The central management and coordination component that controls the overall process.
  • Jenkins Slave/Agent: A remote machine or container that executes build tasks delegated by the Jenkins Master.
  • Jobs: A configurable project that defines the steps to be executed (e.g., build, test, deploy).
  • Plugins: Extensions that provide additional functionality and integrations with different tools and technologies.

4. Key Components:​

  • Pipeline: A collection of steps defined in code that automates the entire software delivery process.
  • Build Triggers: Mechanisms that trigger a build, such as code commits, scheduled times, or external events.
  • Build Steps: Individual tasks or commands executed during a build (e.g., compiling code, running tests, creating artifacts).
  • Post-Build Actions: Actions performed after a build completes, such as archiving artifacts or sending notifications.

5. Getting Started with Jenkins:​

  • Install Jenkins on a server or use a cloud-hosted solution.
  • Access the Jenkins web interface and create your first job.
  • Configure the job with the desired build steps, triggers, and post-build actions.
  • Integrate Jenkins with your Version Control System (VCS) like Git or SVN.
  • Use plugins to extend Jenkins' functionality (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, etc.).

6. Use Cases:​

  • Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery/Deployment pipelines.
  • Building and testing applications across various platforms and environments.
  • Automating software release processes and deployments.
  • Integrating with various tools and technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, Azure, etc.).