Automating Jenkins Build Process

In a previous demonstration, we saw that every time changes were made to the repository, manual scanning of the pipeline was required to trigger the build process. However, this is not practical for large-scale projects. Ideally, we want Jenkins to be notified automatically whenever there are changes in the repository and trigger the build process.

Configuring Automated Build Process

There are two ways to configure Jenkins to trigger the build process automatically:

• Push Notifications: This method involves configuring the source code management system (SCM) to notify Jenkins whenever there are changes in the repository. This approach is more efficient as communication occurs only when relevant changes need to be built.
• Polling Request: In this approach, Jenkins periodically checks for changes in the repository. While less efficient than push notifications, it's a common practice to configure builds in Jenkins using polling requests.

Configuring Push Notifications

To configure push notifications, you need to:

1. Install a plugin in Jenkins specific to your SCM (e.g., GitLab, GitHub).
2. Configure the repository server hostname and access token or credentials.
3. In your SCM settings, navigate to web hooks/project hooks and enter the Jenkins URL for listening to code changes.

Configuring Polling Request

To configure a polling request in Jenkins:

1. Navigate to your pipeline configuration options.
2. Select "Scan Multi-Branch Pipeline Triggers."
3. Configure the interval at which Jenkins should check for changes (e.g., every 1 minute).

Best Practices

While push notifications are more efficient, a common practice is to use both approaches as a backup plan in case one fails. It's recommended to configure both methods and set the polling interval at a reasonable time frame (e.g., every hour).

Configuring Jenkins for Automated Builds

Jenkins is a popular open-source automation server that enables developers to build, test, and deploy their applications automatically. In this article, we will explore the process of configuring Jenkins for automated builds.

Prerequisites

• Jenkins installed on a server or local machine
• A source code management (SCM) system, such as Git or Subversion
• A build tool, such as Maven or Gradle

Step 1: Install and Configure Jenkins

If you haven't already, install Jenkins on your server or local machine. Once installed, open the Jenkins dashboard in a web browser and follow these steps:

• Create a new user account and log in
• Configure the Jenkins URL and system settings as needed
• Install any required plugins, such as the Git plugin or Maven plugin

Step 2: Configure the SCM System

Configure your SCM system to connect with Jenkins:

• Create a new repository for your project in your SCM system
• Add the Jenkins user account as a contributor or administrator to the repository
• Configure the SCM system's webhook settings to trigger Jenkins builds on code push events

Step 3: Create a New Jenkins Job

Create a new Jenkins job to automate your builds:

• Navigate to the Jenkins dashboard and click "New Item"
• Choose the "Freestyle project" option
• Enter a name and description for the job, then click "OK"

Step 4: Configure the Build Triggers

Configure Jenkins to trigger builds automatically:

• In the job configuration page, scroll down to the "Build Triggers" section
• Select the "GitHub hook trigger for GITScm polling" option (or similar)
• Enter the SCM repository URL and credentials as needed
• Save the changes

Step 5: Configure the Build Steps

Configure Jenkins to execute your build steps:

• In the job configuration page, scroll down to the "Build" section
• Add a new build step by clicking the "Add build step" button
• Select the "Invoke Maven" or "Invoke Gradle" option (or similar)
• Enter the command and arguments for your build tool as needed
• Save the changes

Conclusion

In this article, we walked through the steps to configure Jenkins for automated builds. By following these steps, you can automate your build process and improve your team's productivity.

• Download the Jenkins installer from the official website (https://jenkins.io/download/)
• Run the installer and follow the installation prompts
• Jenkins can be installed on various platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux

• Launch the Jenkins web interface by accessing http://localhost:8080 in a web browser
• Install the necessary plugins, such as:
  • Git Plugin
  • Maven Integration Plugin
  • Artifact Deployer Plugin

• In the Jenkins web interface, click on "New Item"
• Select "Freestyle project" and enter a name for the job
• Configure the job settings:
  • Source Code Management (SCM): select Git and provide repository URL
  • Build Triggers: select "Poll SCM" to schedule automated builds

• In the job configuration, click on "Add build step"
• Select the type of build step:
  • Maven: select the Maven installation and provide the pom.xml file path
  • Shell: enter shell commands to execute during the build process

• In the job configuration, click on "Add post-build action"
• Select the type of post-build action:
  • Artifact Deployer: deploy artifacts to a repository or server
  • Email Notification: send email notifications upon build completion

• Save the job configuration by clicking "Apply" and then "Save"
• Trigger a build manually by clicking on the "Build Now" button
• The automated build will be triggered according to the schedule set in Step 3