Jenkins Pipeline as Code: What is it and How to Use it?

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In the fast-evolving world of software development, automation plays a pivotal role in enhancing efficiency, reliability, and speed. Jenkins, a leading open-source automation server, epitomizes this transformation by automating tasks related to building, testing, and deploying software, thus facilitating continuous integration and continuous delivery.

What is Jenkins Pipeline?

Jenkins Pipeline is a suite of plugins that supports implementing and integrating continuous delivery pipelines into Jenkins. A pipeline, defined by a text file called a Jenkinsfile, enables developers to automatically build, test, and deploy their software. By storing the Jenkinsfile in a source control repository, teams can version, share, and automate pipeline creation, significantly improving development workflows.

Types of Jenkins Pipelines

Jenkins offers two main types of pipelines, catering to different needs and preferences:

• Declarative Pipelines: With a syntax easy to read and write, declarative pipelines are ideal for simpler, straightforward workflows. They are written in a Groovy-based domain-specific language (DSL) and offer a more structured and pre-defined approach to pipeline automation.