Azure DevOps by Microsoft Azure is one of the premier tools that automates continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) process and supports automatic build and code projects to make them readily available for others. 

In this blog, we will delve into how to configure an Azure CI/CD pipeline starting from the source stage with existing code.

What is Azure DevOps?

Azure DevOps is a multitude of services offered by Microsoft Azure for a team to support, plan, collaborate, build, and deploy applications.

The integrated features from Azure DevOps include:

  • Azure Repos
  • Azure Pipelines
  • Azure Boards
  • Azure Test Plans
  • Azure Artifacts

What are Azure Pipelines?

The Azure CI/CD pipeline simplifies continuous integration and delivery in the application development process. Teams can start from the source stage with existing code on GitHub or on-premise containers.

The Azure Repos maintains a central repository and the Azure Pipelines maintain the pipelines for a specific project.

Apart from CI/CD with Azure DevOps, these pipelines are also used to develop build-deploy-test workflows used mainly in continuous testing (CT).

Advantages of Azure Pipelines

In the Azure DevOps CI/CD practice, they provide a multitude of advantages:

1. Version Control Systems

Deploying the code into a version control system is the first step to building an Azure CI/CD Pipeline. The source code can be managed in GitHub, Bitbucket, or any other Git repository.

2. Programming Languages and Application Types

Azure pipelines are compatible with Java, Ruby, C, C++, Python, PHP, Go, and JavaScript.

3. Deployment Targets

The Azure pipelines applications can be deployed to multiple target environments including virtual machines, containers, or any on-prem or cloud platform.

4. Package Formats

Users can publish NuGet, npm, or Maven packages to the built-in package management repository in Azure Pipelines.

5. Pricing

Free for public projects and 1800 minutes of runtime for private projects.

Why Should I Use Azure Pipelines?

Implementing CI and CD pipelines warrants consistent and quality code that’s readily available for users. Azure Pipelines offers a quick, easy way to automate building your projects.

Use Azure Pipelines because it supports the following:

  • Works with any language or platform
  • Deploys to different target environments simultaneously
  • Integrates with Azure Deployments
  • Compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac
  • Integrates with GitHub
  • Works with open-source projects

Creating Azure Organizations

Search for DevOps and select Azure DevOps organizations to create a new profile.

CI/CD Pipeline using Azure DevOps

Azure DevOps creates a CI/CD pipeline in Azure Pipelines. You can either create a new Azure organization or use the existing one.

Azure DevOps presents a simple case for creating a CI and CD pipeline to Azure.

You can choose between bringing your existing code and GitRepo or you can select a sample application.

  • Use DevOps starter to create a new CI/CD pipeline
  • Configure access to your GitHub repo and choose a framework
  • Configure Azure DevOps app and an Azure subscription
  • Make changes to GitHub and deploy them to Azure
  • Examine the Azure Pipelines CI/CD pipeline
  • Clean up resources

Prerequisites

  • An Azure subscription.
  • Access to a GitHub or external Git repo that contains program code.

If you have chosen Azure as your cloud partner, we would like to help you create a CI/CD pipeline for your project.

Reach out to our experts in case of any queries.

Recommended Blogs:

Azure DevOps vs Jenkins: Who wins the battle?

The Future of DevOps: 2022 Predictions

8 DevOps CI/CD Best Practices to Ensure Business Success

5 Ways to Successfully Move to DevOps

Latest posts by Sreyesh Sarma (see all)