First, you must understand how both Github and Azure Pipelines work independently, and what integrative solutions they can provide when appropriately connected.
- GitHub: GitHub is a web-based platform used for version control, enabling many developers to work on projects collaboratively. Changes are tracked, and each developer can work separately without disrupting ongoing work, simultaneously contributing to the overall project.
- Azure Pipelines: This is a cloud-based service provided by Azure DevOps that allows you to automatically run build, test, and deployment workflows when you make changes to your code. Azure Pipelines are exceptionally suitable for Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.
When integrated, any code changes pushed to the GitHub repository automatically triggers the Azure Pipeline, initiating the build and deployment process relatively hassle-free.
Prerequisites
Before you can integrate Github repositories with Azure Pipelines:
- You’ve must have an Azure account.
- You should have an existing project in Azure DevOps.
- You should have a GitHub account, with a repository that contains the codebase of your project.
Connecting GitHub to Azure DevOps Pipeline
Remember, in Azure Pipelines, a pipeline is a methodical process definition used by Azure to automatically test, build, and deploy your codebase from the GitHub repository.
First, sign in to your Azure DevOps organization and navigate to your project. Go to the Pipelines page and then click on “Create Pipeline.” You’ll be asked to specify where your code is, select GitHub (YAML).
If you hadn’t connected Azure DevOps to GitHub before, you’d be requested to install Azure Pipelines for GitHub. This process allows Azure Pipelines to access your GitHub repositories.
After completing the installation, you’ll be able to select the repository you want to build.
Next, you’ll have to configure your pipeline. Azure Pipelines scan your repository, suggest templates to get you started based on the language and framework your project is using.
For example, if you’re setting up a pipeline for a Node.js app, the YAML file that defines your pipeline would look like this:
yaml
trigger:
- master
pool:
vmImage: 'ubuntu-latest'
steps:
- task: NodeTool@0
inputs:
versionSpec: '14.x'
displayName: 'Install Node.js'
- script: |
npm install
npm run build
displayName: 'npm install and build'
This pipeline has a trigger for the master branch and uses an Ubuntu VM Image for the agent that will run the pipeline.
After the pipeline is saved and run, you’ll start to see the results in Azure Pipelines. When code is pushed to the connected GitHub repository, Azure Pipelines will trigger the build and deployment process.
Conclusion
Integrating GitHub repositories with Azure Pipelines is an essential practice for DevOps professionals working on projects that require continuous integration and deployment. Understanding and implementing this integration successfully will also be immensely beneficial when preparing for the AZ-400 exam. Remember always to keep in mind the prerequisites and steps in connecting GitHub to Azure DevOps Pipelines. Happy coding!
Practice Test
True or False: Azure Pipelines can be utilized to build, test, and deploy applications stored in GitHub repositories.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Azure Pipelines offers robust integration with GitHub to automate important software development tasks, including building, testing, and deploying applications.
Which of the following are valid triggers for a pipeline run when integrating GitHub with Azure Pipelines?
- A) Pull Requests
- B) Direct Commits
- C) Releases in GitHub
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: Azure Pipelines can be triggered by a variety of GitHub events, including pull requests, direct commits, and new releases.
Single Select: Can you use an Azure Pipeline to deploy an application from a private GitHub repository?
- A) Yes
- B) No
Answer: A) Yes
Explanation: Azure Pipelines has the ability to integrate with both public and private GitHub repositories.
Single Select: How many repositories can be added to an Azure Pipeline?
- A) As many as you want
- B) Only one
- C) It depends on the plan
Answer: B) Only one
Explanation: An Azure Pipeline is built from one source repository at a time.
True or False: Azure Pipelines requires a different webhook for each GitHub repository.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: For each GitHub repository, Azure Pipelines requires its own webhook for automatic trigger of pipeline runs.
Single Select: You are working with a monorepo style repository. How many Azure Pipelines can you create from this repository?
- A) Only one
- B) As many as you want
- C) It depends on the plan
Answer: B) As many as you want
Explanation: For a monorepo style repository, Azure Pipelines allows you to create as many pipelines as you need.
Multiple Select: Which of the following can Azure Pipelines do for your GitHub repositories?
- A) Build your app
- B) Test your app
- C) Deploy your app
- D) Automatically commit code
Answer: A) Build your app, B) Test your app, C) Deploy your app
Explanation: Azure Pipelines offers comprehensive CI/CD services so you can build, test, and deploy your applications.
True or False: Azure Pipelines supports only selective CI/CD processes with GitHub repositories.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Azure Pipelines provides full CI/CD integration with GitHub repositories, catering all aspects of the development cycle.
Single Select: What do you need to connect a GitHub repository to an Azure Pipeline?
- A) The repository URL
- B) API keys for the repository
- C) Your GitHub credentials
Answer: C) Your GitHub credentials
Explanation: Access to GitHub repositories from Azure Pipelines is granted using your GitHub credentials.
Multiple Select: What access is needed for Azure Pipelines to integrate with a GitHub repository?
- A) Read access to the code
- B) Write access to deployments
- C) Access to check commits and PRs
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: For effective integration, Azure Pipelines require read access to code, write access for deployments and access to check commits and pull requests on Github repository.
True or False: Azure Pipelines can be used to integrate multiple GitHub repositories into one consolidated pipeline.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Azure Pipelines only supports integration of one GitHub repository per pipeline.
Single Select: Once a pipeline is created, you cannot change its repository in Azure Pipelines.
- A) True
- B) False
Answer: B) False
Explanation: In Azure Pipelines, it is possible to change the repository a pipeline points to after its creation.
True or False: With Azure Pipelines, you can run builds on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Azure Pipelines provides the flexibility to run builds on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Multiple Select: Which of the following event from Github can trigger a pipeline run in Azure Pipelines?
- A) Commits
- B) Releases
- C) Pull Requests
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: All of the events mentioned can trigger a pipeline run in Azure Pipelines.
True or False: You cannot use YAML for defining pipelines in Azure Pipelines.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Azure Pipelines support the use of YAML for defining the steps of pipelines.
Interview Questions
What is the primary function of integrating GitHub repositories with Azure Pipelines?
Integrating GitHub repositories with Azure Pipelines is used primarily for automating continuous integration and delivery. It allows you to automatically test and build code in your GitHub repositories anytime you commit updates, and then deploy those changes to any endpoint.
What prerequisite permissions are needed for integrating a GitHub repository with Azure Pipelines?
The user must have administrative permission for the GitHub repository to set up the integration with Azure Pipelines.
How could you trigger a build pipeline in Azure DevOps when a change is made in the Github repository?
You can set triggers in Azure build pipeline to automatically kick off a build when any update is made in the GitHub repository.
What is a YAML pipeline in Azure DevOps?
YAML pipelines allow you to store your pipeline configuration code inside your repository. This practice offers various benefits, including versioning, peer reviews of pipeline changes, and the ability to use the same pipeline across different platforms and clouds.
Can multiple GitHub repositories be used in one Azure Pipeline?
Yes, as of 2019, Azure Pipelines Multiples Repository feature supports using resources from more than one repository in the same pipeline.
How does Azure DevOps handle pull requests from GitHub?
Azure Pipelines has a built-in feature called ‘Pull Request Triggers’ that automatically triggers a build when a pull request is created in GitHub.
Can we use private repositories from Github with Azure pipeline for CI/CD?
Yes, Azure Pipelines can integrate with private GitHub repositories. You just need to provide the necessary GitHub permissions to Azure Pipelines.
Is it possible to use templates from a GitHub repository in an Azure DevOps pipeline?
Yes, Azure DevOps supports the use of pipeline templates and these templates can be stored in a GitHub repository.
How does Azure Pipelines access GitHub repositories secure?
Azure Pipelines accesses GitHub repositories using OAuth protocol which is a secure protocol to provide third-party applications access to HTTP services.
Do you need an Azure DevOps account to integrate with GitHub Repositories?
Yes, you need a valid Azure DevOps account to integrate with GitHub Repositories.
What are the benefits of integrating GitHub repositories with Azure Pipelines?
It provides several benefits including continuous integration and continuous delivery, automated testing of the codes, reducing the risk linked with the application deployment process, tracking of commits linked to builds, and more.
How to connect GitHub with Azure DevOps?
To connect GitHub with Azure DevOps, go to the project settings in Azure DevOps, select ‘Service connections’ under ‘Pipelines’, and then set up a new connection. Here you need to select ‘GitHub’ from the list, and then follow the instructions to authenticate and select your repository.
What file format is used for Azure Pipelines configuration file?
Azure Pipelines uses the YAML file format for its configuration file.
How is versioning handled when integrating GitHub repositories with Azure Pipelines?
The versioning is handled through commit history. Each commit to the pipeline configuration file is tracked and can be reverted if needed.
What is used for managing secrets when integrating Github repositories with Azure Pipelines?
Azure Pipelines has its own feature called ‘Variable Groups’ that we can use for managing secrets. Also, you can also use Azure Key Vault to manage secrets when integrating Github repositories with Azure Pipelines.
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