Tech Glossary
Jenkins Pipeline
Jenkins Pipeline is a suite of plugins in Jenkins, an open-source automation server, that enables defining and managing Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) workflows as code. A pipeline represents the sequence of stages and steps required to build, test, and deploy software.
Key Features:
Pipeline as Code: Pipelines are defined using a Jenkinsfile, written in Groovy syntax.
Stages and Steps: Workflows consist of stages (logical segments like "Build" or "Test") and steps (specific tasks like executing a script).
Declarative vs. Scripted Pipelines: Jenkins supports two types of pipelines:
Declarative: A simplified, structured format suitable for most use cases.
Scripted: A more flexible and powerful Groovy-based approach.
Parallel Execution: Supports running tasks in parallel to reduce build times.
Integration: Works seamlessly with tools like Git, Docker, Maven, and Kubernetes.
Benefits:
Automation: Automates repetitive tasks, ensuring consistency and reducing manual errors.
Scalability: Manages complex workflows with ease, supporting large teams and projects.
Transparency: Provides a clear, visual representation of the pipeline status in the Jenkins UI.
Jenkins Pipeline is widely adopted across industries to streamline software delivery, enabling faster, more reliable releases.