Building an efficient DevOps workflow involves using various tools seamlessly for consistent and automated deployment. Two of the most effective tools involved in DevOps practices are GitHub Actions and Azure Pipelines. In this article, we will further explore how to implement orchestration with these tools, comparing their attributes, and going through practical examples for better understanding.
GitHub Actions and Azure Pipelines are powerful tools that help automate software workflows. They both allow developers to build, test and deploy their code right from GitHub or Azure repositories. GitHub Actions is a feature of GitHub, while Azure Pipelines is a service provided by Microsoft Azure. Both platforms offer Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) capabilities.
GitHub Actions was introduced to automate workflows directly in your GitHub repository. With this, you can automate your software development practices from idea to production. GitHub Actions enables you to build, test, and deploy your applications in any language right from your repositories, simplifying the deployment process and improving operational efficiencies.
Azure Pipelines, on the other hand, is part of Azure DevOps Services, wherein you create, test, and deploy applications to any platform.
Comparing the Two Tools
Let’s compare these two robust tools.
| Parameter | GitHub Actions | Azure Pipelines |
|---|---|---|
| Hosted Platforms | Github Actions can be hosted on Linux, Windows, and MacOS. | Azure Pipelines can be hosted on Linux, Windows, macOS, Containers, and Kubernetes. |
| Language Support | GitHub Actions supports most major languages. | Azure Pipelines support a vast array of programming languages. |
| Integration | Deeply integrated with Github tools and services. | Seamlessly integrates with Azure tools and services, but also allows integration with Github. |
| Configuration Syntax | YAML | YAML |
| Parallel Execution | Available for self-hosted machines. | Without limitation. |
| Matrix Strategy | Available | Available |
Practical Use Cases
Now, let’s move on to practical examples of using these tools.
Example of GitHub Actions
Suppose we have a Python application. We can create a workflow (.yml) file in `.github/workflows` directory in our repository.
name: Python application test
on:
push:
branches: [ master ]
pull_request:
branches: [ master ]
jobs:
build:
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
steps:
- uses: actions/checkout@v2
- name: Set up Python 3.8
uses: actions/setup-python@v2
with:
python-version: 3.8
- name: Install dependencies
run: |
python -m pip install --upgrade pip
pip install -r requirements.txt
- name: Test with pytest
run: |
pip install pytest
pytest
This is a simple GitHub Action that sets up a Python environment, installs dependencies, and runs tests whenever there’s a push or pull request in the master branch.
Example of Azure Pipelines
Let’s create a YAML pipeline in Azure Pipelines that builds and tests a Node.js app.
trigger:
- master
pool:
vmImage: 'ubuntu-latest'
steps:
- task: NodeTool@0
inputs:
versionSpec: '10.x'
displayName: 'Install Node.js'
- script: |
npm install
npm run build
npm test
displayName: 'npm install, build and test'
This Azure Pipeline automatically triggers whenever there’s a push in the master branch, then installs Node.js, builds the app, and runs tests.
Both tools, GitHub Actions and Azure Pipelines, are considerably powerful and flexible. They both integrate process automation directly into your repositories. Your choice between them would depend on the representation you’re comfortable with and the services you integrally use.
However, remember that the orchestration of DevOps tools is not limited to these examples. There is a multitude of more tools designed to aid various stages in the pipeline. The ones we have detailed on are highly popular due to their robust and user-friendly design.
Practice Test
True or False: GitHub Actions help automate the software development workflows directly in your GitHub repository.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: GitHub Actions is a tool used for CI/CD that helps automate your software development workflow, from idea to deployment, directly in your GitHub repository.
Multiple Select: What are some features that GitHub Actions provide?
- A) Pull Request handling
- B) Workflows
- C) Issue management
- D) Performance testing
Answer: A) Pull Request handling, B) Workflows, C) Issue management
Explanation: GitHub Actions aids in automating, customizing, and executing your software development workflows within your repository including Pull request handling, workflows, and Issue management.
Single Select: What is the primary function of Azure Pipelines?
- A) E-mail management
- B) Project organization
- C) Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery
- D) Financial analysis
Answer: C) Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery
Explanation: Azure Pipelines is a Microsoft tool mainly used for Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD). It’s used to build, test, deploy, and improve your applications regularly with less human intervention.
True or False: Azure Pipelines can only deploy applications to Azure.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: While Azure Pipelines is part of the Microsoft Azure family, it is capable of deploying applications to several different types of infrastructure, including on-premises, cloud, or hybrid.
Single Select: Which of the following can be a trigger for GitHub Actions workflows?
- A) A GitHub check run event
- B) The opening of an issue
- C) A pull request
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: GitHub Actions workflows can be set in motion by a wide variety of events, including any type of GitHub event such as a check run, a new issue, or a pull request.
Multiple Select: What languages are supported by Azure Pipelines for application building and deployment?
- A) Python
- B) C++
- C) Java
- D) All of these
Answer: D) All of these
Explanation: Azure Pipelines is language-agnostic and can build and deploy applications in Java, Python, C++, and many more languages.
True or False: Azure Pipelines and GitHub Actions are the same tools.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Azure Pipelines and GitHub Actions are different tools. Both are used in DevOps for automating workflows, but they are different in their specs and functionality.
Single Select: What is one advantage of using orchestration tools like GitHub Actions and Azure Pipelines in a DevOps workflow?
- A) They provide real-time updates
- B) They can automate repetitive tasks
- C) They improve communication
- D) They can replace developers
Answer: B) They can automate repetitive tasks
Explanation: One of the biggest benefits of using orchestration tools is their ability to automate repetitive or burdensome tasks, reducing the chance of error and increasing efficiency.
Multiple Select: Which of the following can Azure Pipelines integrate with for version control?
- A) GitHub
- B) Bitbucket
- C) Azure Repos
- D) All of these
Answer: D) All of these
Explanation: Azure Pipelines provides integration with multiple version control systems, including but not limited to GitHub, Bitbucket, and Azure Repos.
True or False: GitHub Actions is only capable of handling software development workflows.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: GitHub Actions is designed to handle software development workflows, but it is also designed to be flexible and can handle other tasks, such as issue triage and publishing packages.
Single Select: Azure Pipelines allows for the running of parallel jobs. However, which subscription allows for the maximum number of parallel jobs?
- A) Free
- B) Basic
- C) Premium
- D) Enterprise
Answer: D) Enterprise
Explanation: The Enterprise subscription tier for Azure Pipelines allows for the highest number of concurrent jobs.
True or False: Azure Pipelines is a proprietary software developed by Microsoft, and thus cannot be used with non-Microsoft products.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Azure Pipelines is capable of integrating with a variety of tools, platforms, and languages, not just those created by Microsoft.
Single Select: Which of the following is NOT necessarily a part of a workflow in GitHub Actions?
- A) Jobs
- B) Events
- C) A deadline
- D) Steps
Answer: C) A deadline
Explanation: A workflow run in GitHub Actions is composed of one or more jobs, and each job consists of a series of steps. Events trigger workflows, but a deadline is not typically a part of a workflow.
Multiple Select: Which of the following platforms are supported by Azure Pipelines for deployment?
- A) Amazon Web Services
- B) Google Cloud Platform
- C) Microsoft Azure
- D) All of these
Answer: D) All of these
Explanation: Azure Pipelines supports deployment to several different platforms, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Microsoft Azure, among others.
True or False: A major benefit of using GitHub Actions and Azure Pipelines is the reduction of manual errors and increased efficiency in the software development lifecycle.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Both GitHub Actions and Azure Pipelines help automate software development workflows, which can significantly reduce the likelihood of manual errors and increase efficiency in the software development lifecycle.
Interview Questions
What is the main purpose of using GitHub Actions in DevOps?
GitHub Actions help to automate software workflows. It enables the orchestration of tasks such as building, testing, and deploying applications directly from the GitHub repository.
In Azure DevOps, where can you define a pipeline?
In Azure DevOps, you can define a pipeline in a YAML file at the root of your repository.
What is the role of Azure Pipelines in the DevOps lifecycle?
Azure Pipelines provide a platform for developing, testing, and deploying applications. It offers cloud-hosted pipelines which provide a fast, reliable environment where deployment and testing can take place without the need for physical, onsite infrastructure.
What is the benefit of integrating GitHub Actions with Azure Pipelines?
By integrating GitHub Actions with Azure Pipelines, you can gain more agility in your CI/CD process. You can have code changes in GitHub automatically trigger a build in Azure Pipelines, allowing for quicker development cycles and quicker deployments.
What is a GitHub Action workflow?
A GitHub Action workflow is a configurable automated process that you can set up in your repository to build, test, package, release, or deploy any project on GitHub.
How do you trigger a GitHub Action workflow?
A GitHub Action workflow can be triggered on a variety of events, such as a push to a specific branch, creating a pull request, or even on a set schedule.
What languages are supported by Azure Pipelines?
Azure Pipelines support a range of programming languages, including Java, PHP, Python, Ruby, C#, C++, and others.
Can Azure Pipelines be used for Mobile App Development?
Yes, Azure Pipelines are compatible with mobile app development. It supports continuous build integration, testing, and deployment for iOS, Android, and Xamarin apps.
What role does ‘Runner’ play in GitHub Actions?
A runner is any machine with the GitHub Actions runner application installed. It runs a job from a workflow and includes the operating systems where the job’s steps execute.
What are the different types of runners supported by GitHub Actions?
There are two types of runners in GitHub Actions: GitHub-hosted runners (which are automatically updated, maintained and hosted by GitHub), and self-hosted runners (which are customizable and hosted by the user).
Does Azure Pipelines provide any security features?
Yes, Azure Pipelines provides several security features, such as auditing, user access controls/permissions, and policy enforcement to ensure the safety and integrity of your applications at every stage of the pipeline.
Can Azure Pipelines handle multi-stage deployments?
Yes, Azure Pipelines can handle multi-stage deployments and complex deployment patterns using deployment strategies like canary, blue/green, and rolling deployments.
Can Azure Pipelines target multiple platforms?
Yes, Azure Pipelines can target multiple platforms like Windows, Linux, MacOS, and also containers.
What is the main advantage of using Azure Pipelines and GitHub Actions together?
Using Azure Pipelines and GitHub Actions together allows for a streamlined and automated DevOps workflow, enabling continuous integration and continuous deployment right from your source code repository up to the production environment.
What is the YAML syntax used for in both Azure Pipelines and GitHub Actions?
YAML syntax is used to define the pipeline’s workflow in both Azure Pipelines and GitHub Actions. This includes the build process and steps, as well as parameters and trigger information.
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