Pipeline as Code

5 minutes 5 Questions

Pipeline as Code is the practice of defining, managing, and automating the CI/CD pipeline through code, typically using YAML or similar markup languages. This approach promotes the management of build, test, and release processes in a version-controlled and auditable way. By treating pipelines as c…

Guide: Understanding and Answering Questions on Pipeline as Code

What is Pipeline as Code?
'Pipeline as Code' is a practice where the deployment pipeline is expressed as code — versioned and checked into the code repository. This enables automated configuration, reduces errors, and enhances consistency and repeatability.
Why is it Important?
This practice is crucial because it allows the team to treat the pipeline like application code. It can undergo code review and regression testing, making it less likely for the deployment process to break than in a manually configured process. It also promotes transparency and collaboration among teams.
How does it work?
With Pipeline as Code, pipeline definitions are written in scripting or declarative languages in a file, typically named 'Jenkinsfile' or 'pipeline.yml'. The pipeline configurations are then versioned and managed in a source code control repository. This pipeline configuration file instructs the Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) tools to automatically build, test, and deploy applications based on specified criteria.
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Pipeline as Code

Understand the concept: Review the definition of Pipeline as Code thoroughly including its purpose and how it works in Continuous Integration/Delivery context.
Real-world application: Be able to explain how it benefits the software development process, largely because of its automatic, reproducible configurations and potential for decreased error rates.
Specifics in operation: Understand the typical file names such as Jenkinsfile or pipeline.yml. Familiarize with scripting or declarative languages used to write pipeline definitions.
Interpretation and Comparison: Be able to compare with a manually-configured pipeline process and its drawbacks.

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Question 1

In a Pipeline as Code scenario, what process should be employed to make changes to a pipeline?

Skip code review Use a branch for making changes and open a pull request for review Update the pipeline directly on the main branch Email the team with the changes Ask a team member to commit the changes for you Manually update the CI/CD server

Correct Answer: Use a branch for making changes and open a pull request for review

Using a branch during development allows for a clean, organized workflow. Opening a pull request encourages team collaboration and a proper code review before changes are merged.

Question 2

A developer is working on a project using Pipeline as Code. They noticed that a stage in the pipeline is failing. What is the most appropriate action to take?

Ignore the issue Investigate the failed stage and fix the issue Wait for the next commit Delete the pipeline Contact the IT department Rerun the pipeline multiple times

Correct Answer: Investigate the failed stage and fix the issue

In case of a failing stage, the correct approach is to investigate the cause, fix the issue, and rerun the pipeline, ensuring a stable pipeline and improved workflow.

Question 3

An Agile team is working on a project that requires managing multiple environments. They want to implement Pipeline as Code. What can be done to manage these environments efficiently?

Update the main branch for each environment Commit environment-specific code directly to the CI/CD server Write custom scripts for each environment Parameterize the environments in the pipeline definition Create separate pipelines for each environment Avoid using Pipeline as Code and do manual deployments

Correct Answer: Parameterize the environments in the pipeline definition

Parameterizing environments within the pipeline definition allows for effective management of multiple environments, making sure that a single pipeline can be used for all scenarios.

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