Getting Started with Azure Pipelines

by Devop · 22/12/2023

Azure Pipelines is a powerful tool provided by Azure DevOps that allows you to build, test, and deploy your applications with continuous integration and continuous delivery. In this article, we will explore the key features of Azure Pipelines and learn how to set it up, build and test applications, deploy applications, and integrate it with other tools. By the end, you will have a solid understanding of how to leverage Azure Pipelines for your development projects.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Azure Pipelines is a CI/CD tool provided by Azure DevOps.
It allows you to build, test, and deploy applications.
You can set up pipelines to automate the entire development process.
Azure Pipelines supports integration with source control systems like Azure Repos Git and GitHub.
It also integrates with other tools and services to enhance your development workflow.

What is Azure Pipelines?

Why use Azure Pipelines?

Azure Pipelines is a powerful tool that streamlines the software development process, allowing you to build, test, and deploy your applications with ease. With continuous integration (CI) and continuous delivery (CD) capabilities, Azure Pipelines automates the deployment process, ensuring that your web app is automatically deployed to Azure App Service on every successful build. By using Azure Pipelines, you can save time and effort by eliminating manual deployment tasks and ensuring that your application is always up-to-date.

Key features of Azure Pipelines

Azure Pipelines offers a range of powerful features that make it the go-to choice for CI/CD. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key features:

Setting up Azure Pipelines

Creating a new pipeline

To create a new pipeline in Azure Pipelines, follow these steps:

Access the Azure DevOps portal and navigate to your project.
Choose Pipelines > Pipelines and select the pipeline you want to edit.
Click on the Edit button.
Make the necessary edits to your pipeline using the Intellisense keyboard shortcuts and the task assistant for guidance.
Once you’re done, click on the Save button.
You can then choose to commit directly to your branch or create a new branch and start a pull request.
Use keyboard shortcuts to speed up your editing process in the YAML pipeline editor.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to create and customize your pipeline according to your project’s requirements.

Configuring pipeline settings

To configure pipeline settings, navigate to the pipeline settings UI and choose the tab of the setting you want to configure. From there, you can make changes to various settings that affect the behavior of your pipeline. One important setting to consider is the default agent pool for YAML pipelines. This setting determines which agent pool will be used if a YAML pipeline doesn’t specify one. To configure the default agent pool, select the YAML tab in the pipeline settings UI and choose the desired agent pool from the dropdown list.

In addition to the pipeline settings UI, some YAML pipeline settings can also be configured directly in the YAML file. This gives you more control over the configuration and allows you to define settings as code. To edit the YAML file, select the Configure tab in the Pipelines app and choose ASP.NET Core. Take a look at the YAML to see what it does and make any necessary changes. Once you’re done, save the pipeline and run it to see the changes in action.

If you need to work with pipeline variables, you can do so in the pipeline settings UI. To access the variables, navigate to the pipeline settings UI and choose the Variables tab. From there, you can define and manage variables that can be used in your pipeline. For more information on working with pipeline variables, refer to the documentation.

To make edits to your pipeline, you can use the YAML pipeline editor. To access the editor, sign in to your organization’s Azure DevOps portal and navigate to your project. From there, choose Pipelines and select the pipeline you want to edit. Choose Edit and you’ll be able to make changes to your pipeline using Intellisense keyboard shortcuts and the task assistant for guidance.

When configuring your pipeline settings, it’s important to consider the specific requirements of your project and development process. Take the time to review and adjust the settings to ensure that your pipeline is optimized for your needs. And don’t forget to regularly check and update your pipeline settings as your project evolves and new requirements arise.

Defining stages and jobs

Once you have created your pipeline and configured the necessary settings, it’s time to define the stages and jobs that make up your pipeline. Stages represent the different phases of your deployment process, while jobs are the individual tasks that need to be performed within each stage.

To define stages and jobs in Azure Pipelines, you can use YAML or the classic editor. YAML provides a more flexible and version-controlled approach, while the classic editor offers a visual interface for easier configuration.

Here are a few key points to keep in mind when defining stages and jobs:

Order of deployment: You can control the order in which your deployments occur by adding stages to your release pipeline. This allows you to ensure that each stage is completed before moving on to the next one.
Variable substitutions: In most cases, you can set app settings and connection strings as environment variables at runtime. However, there may be other scenarios where you need to make variable substitutions for your deployments to work correctly.
Conditions for task execution: You can specify conditions for a task to run, such as branch filters or pre-deployment approvals. This gives you more control over when and how your tasks are executed.

To learn more about defining stages and jobs in Azure Pipelines, refer to the official documentation and resources provided by Microsoft.

Building and Testing with Azure Pipelines

Setting up build agents

Once you’ve created a new pipeline in Azure DevOps and configured the necessary settings, the next step is to set up build agents. Build agents are responsible for executing the tasks defined in your pipeline and building your code. Here’s how you can set up build agents:

Linking a work item to the Pull Requests: By linking a work item to your pull requests, you can track the progress and status of your work items directly from your pull requests. This helps in better collaboration and visibility.
Adding tags to Pull Requests: Tags provide additional information and context to your pull requests. You can use tags to categorize and filter pull requests based on different criteria, such as feature, bug fix, or enhancement.
Create a .npmrc file: The .npmrc file is used to configure npm settings for your pipeline. It allows you to specify the registry, authentication token, and other npm configurations.
Create a config.js file: The config.js file contains configuration settings for your pipeline. It can include variables, environment settings, and other custom configurations.
Yarn users: If you’re using Yarn as your package manager, make sure to include the necessary steps to install and configure Yarn in your pipeline.
Add renovate.json file: The renovate.json file is used to configure Renovate, a tool that automatically updates your dependencies. Including this file in your pipeline allows you to automate dependency updates and ensure your codebase is up to date.
Using a single pipeline to update multiple repositories: If you have multiple repositories that need to be updated using the same pipeline, you can configure your pipeline to handle updates for all the repositories. This helps in maintaining consistency and reduces duplication of pipeline configurations.

By following these steps, you can effectively set up build agents in Azure Pipelines and ensure smooth execution of your pipeline tasks.

Configuring build tasks

Tasks are the building blocks for defining automation in a pipeline. They are the essential components that enable you to build, test, and deploy your applications with Azure Pipelines. When configuring build tasks, there are a few key points to keep in mind:

Task Reference: To view the available tasks and their configurations, refer to the Azure Pipelines documentation.
YAML Syntax: The YAML syntax for build tasks is generated from the task source code, ensuring that it is always up to date. You can make configuration changes to the tasks by editing the YAML directly or using the task assistant in the YAML pipeline editor.
Task Customization: Azure Pipelines supports community contributions, allowing you to enhance task input descriptions, add remarks, and provide examples. If you have specific requirements, you can also create custom tasks or extensions.

By understanding these aspects of configuring build tasks, you can effectively leverage the power of Azure Pipelines to streamline your development and deployment processes.

Running tests in pipelines

After setting up your build pipeline and configuring the necessary tasks, it’s time to run tests in your pipelines. Running tests is an essential part of the development process as it helps ensure the quality and reliability of your application. Here are the steps to run tests in Azure Pipelines:

Configure test tasks: In your build pipeline, add a task to run your tests. This task can be configured to run different types of tests, such as unit tests, integration tests, or UI tests.
Specify test settings: Depending on the type of tests you’re running, you may need to specify additional settings, such as test frameworks, test data, or test environment variables.
View test results: Once the tests are executed, Azure Pipelines provides detailed test results, including the number of tests passed, failed, and skipped. You can view these results in the Azure Pipelines dashboard or integrate them with other tools like Azure Test Plans.

Running tests in pipelines allows you to automate the testing process and ensure that your application meets the required quality standards. By integrating tests into your pipelines, you can catch any issues early on and prevent them from reaching production.

Deploying Applications with Azure Pipelines

Creating deployment environments

Once you have set up your Azure Pipelines and configured your pipeline settings, the next step is to create deployment environments. Deployment environments are the target environments where you want to deploy your applications. These can be development, staging, or production environments.

To create a deployment environment, follow these steps:

Navigate to the Azure DevOps portal and go to your project.
Click on the ‘Pipelines’ tab and select ‘Environments’ from the dropdown menu.
Click on the ‘New Environment’ button.
Enter a name for the environment and select the appropriate resource group and subscription.
Click on the ‘Create’ button to create the environment.

Once you have created the deployment environment, you can configure deployment tasks for each environment. This allows you to specify the deployment targets, such as Azure Web Apps or Azure Virtual Machines, and define the deployment steps.

Here is an example of a deployment environment configuration:

Environment Name	Deployment Target	Deployment Steps
Development	Azure Web App	Build and deploy the application
Staging	Azure Virtual Machine	Deploy the application to the server
Production	Azure Web App	Deploy the application to the server

By creating deployment environments, you can easily manage and track the deployment of your applications to different environments. This helps ensure that your applications are deployed consistently and reliably across all environments.

Configuring deployment tasks

After defining the stages and jobs in your Azure Pipeline, the next step is to configure the deployment tasks. These tasks are responsible for deploying your application to the desired environment. In order to configure the deployment tasks, follow these steps:

Select the ‘Tasks’ tab in your pipeline.
Locate the ‘Azure App Service Deploy’ task.
Make sure the connection type is set to Azure Resource Manager.
Expand the ‘Additional Deployment Options’ section and select the desired deployment method, such as Web Deploy.
Save your changes and run the pipeline to deploy your application.

By configuring the deployment tasks, you can ensure that your application is deployed correctly and efficiently to the desired environment. It is important to choose the appropriate deployment method based on your application’s requirements and the target environment. This will help streamline the deployment process and ensure a smooth transition from development to production.

Managing release pipelines

Once you have created your release pipeline to manage deployments to Azure, you can easily make changes and updates. To edit your release pipeline, simply select the release pipeline and choose Edit. Under Artifacts, select Drop to specify the output used for the artifact. To enable continuous deployment, select the Continuous deployment trigger. Save the release pipeline and create a release to see it in action. You can view the release summary, associated work items, and tests by clicking on the release number. The logs provide valuable information about the deployment process and can be accessed during and after deployments.

Integrating Azure Pipelines with Other Tools

Using source control integration

When setting up your Azure Pipelines, it’s important to integrate with your source control system to ensure smooth and efficient workflows. By connecting your pipelines to your Git repository, you can easily fetch sources, restore dependencies, compile applications, run tests, and publish outputs for deployments. This integration allows you to track changes made to your build definition and provides a seamless experience for managing your software development process.

Integrating with Azure DevOps

Integrating with Azure DevOps allows you to streamline your development process and take advantage of its powerful features. With Azure DevOps, you can easily manage your source code, track pipeline status, and collaborate with your team. Here are some steps to get started:

Sign into the Microsoft Azure portal and search for ‘DevOps Starter’. Click on ‘Create DevOps Starter’ to begin.
Azure DevOps Projects simplifies the setup of a CI/CD pipeline to Azure. It handles everything from setting up the initial Git repository to configuring the pipeline.
Once your pipeline is set up, you can run it on Microsoft-hosted agents or request a free tier.
Azure DevOps Projects also provides sample applications that you can use to quickly deploy to various Azure services.

By integrating with Azure DevOps, you can automate your build and deployment process, saving time and effort. It’s a powerful tool that helps you deliver high-quality software faster.

Integrating with third-party tools

When it comes to integrating Azure Pipelines with third-party tools, the possibilities are endless. Whether you’re using Bitbucket, AWS CodeCommit, GitHub, or any other tool, Azure Pipelines provides seamless integration to streamline your development workflow.

One of the key benefits of integrating with third-party tools is the ability to link work items to pull requests. This allows for better traceability and visibility into the progress of your development tasks. Additionally, you can add tags to pull requests to categorize and organize them based on different criteria.

Setting up a new pipeline with a third-party tool is a straightforward process. First, you’ll need to create a .npmrc file and a config.js file to configure the necessary settings for your pipeline. Then, you can use Yarn to manage your dependencies and ensure a smooth build process.

To update multiple repositories using a single pipeline, you can leverage the power of Azure Pipelines. By defining stages and jobs in your pipeline, you can specify the repositories that need to be updated and the tasks that need to be performed. This not only saves time but also ensures consistency across your projects.

When integrating with third-party tools, it’s important to keep in mind the specific requirements and limitations of each tool. Azure Pipelines provides comprehensive documentation and resources to help you navigate the integration process. Additionally, the Azure Pipelines community is a valuable source of knowledge and support, where you can ask questions and share your experiences with other users.

Integrating Azure Pipelines with Other Tools is a crucial aspect of modern software development. Azure Pipelines provides a seamless integration with popular DevOps tools such as Jenkins, GitHub, and Docker. By integrating Azure Pipelines with these tools, developers can automate their build, test, and deployment processes, resulting in faster and more reliable software delivery. With the power of Azure Pipelines, developers can easily create pipelines that orchestrate the entire software development lifecycle, from code commit to production deployment. Whether you are a small startup or a large enterprise, integrating Azure Pipelines with other tools is a game-changer for your DevSecOps practices. Visit our Home Page – DevSecOps to learn more about how Azure Pipelines can revolutionize your software development process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Azure Pipelines?

Azure Pipelines is a CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment) tool provided by Azure DevOps. It allows you to build, test, and deploy your applications automatically.

Why use Azure Pipelines?

Azure Pipelines provides a reliable and scalable solution for automating the build, test, and deployment processes of your applications. It supports various programming languages, platforms, and deployment targets.

What are the key features of Azure Pipelines?

Some key features of Azure Pipelines include YAML-based pipeline configuration, integration with popular source control systems, support for parallel and distributed builds, built-in testing capabilities, and deployment to multiple environments.

How do I create a new pipeline in Azure Pipelines?

To create a new pipeline in Azure Pipelines, you can use the Azure DevOps web interface or define a pipeline configuration file in YAML format and commit it to your source code repository.

How do I configure pipeline settings in Azure Pipelines?

Pipeline settings in Azure Pipelines can be configured using the Azure DevOps web interface or by modifying the pipeline configuration file. You can specify the build triggers, agent pool, stages, jobs, and tasks for your pipeline.

How do I define stages and jobs in Azure Pipelines?

Stages and jobs in Azure Pipelines are defined in the pipeline configuration file using YAML syntax. Stages represent logical divisions of the pipeline, and jobs define the tasks to be executed within each stage.