Day 25 of #90DaysOfDevOps: Completing Jenkins CI/CD Project with Documentation

Reflecting on Progress

As we embark on Day 25, it's vital to recognize the significant strides made in our DevOps journey. Over the past few days, we've navigated the intricacies of Jenkins, creating a functional CI/CD pipeline. Today, we pause to refine our work, document the process meticulously, and set small, achievable goals for personal growth.

Task 1: Documenting the Jenkins CI/CD Project

As we embark on Day 25, it's vital to recognize the significant strides made in our DevOps journey. Over the past few days, we've navigated the intricacies of Jenkins, creating a functional CI/CD pipeline. Today, we pause to refine our work, document the process meticulously, and set small, achievable goals for personal growth.

Step 1: Project Overview

Project Name: Jenkins CI/CD Pipeline for [Your Project Name]

Objective: Automate the build, test, and deployment processes using Jenkins.

Tech Stack:

• Jenkins
• Git/GitHub
• Docker (Optional)
• Webhooks
• Shell scripting

Step 2: Cloning the Repository

Start by cloning the repository to your local machine:

Step 3: Setting Up Jenkins

1. Install Jenkins: Ensure Jenkins is installed and running on your system.
2. Configure Jenkins: Navigate to the Jenkins dashboard and configure your Jenkins instance with necessary plugins like Git, Pipeline, and Docker if applicable.

Step 4: Creating the Pipeline

1. Freestyle Project/Pipeline:
2. Pipeline Script Example:

Step 5: Adding Webhooks

1. GitHub Webhooks: Navigate to your GitHub repository → Settings → Webhooks.
2. Configure Webhook URL: Add Jenkins’ webhook URL (e.g., http://your-jenkins-url/github-webhook/).
3. Select Events: Choose which events trigger the build (e.g., push events).

Step 6: Deployment and Testing

• Automated Deployment: Ensure the deployment scripts are configured in Jenkins.
• Testing: Test the pipeline by pushing a change to your repository. Verify that Jenkins triggers the build, runs tests, and deploys if successful.

Step 7: Creating the README

Your README should cover:

• Introduction: Brief overview of the project.
• Prerequisites: Required installations and configurations.
• Setup Instructions: Detailed steps from cloning the repo to running the pipeline.
• Usage: How to use the pipeline, including triggering builds and deployment.
• Screenshots: Include screenshots of the Jenkins dashboard, build process, and successful deployments.
• Contribution Guidelines: How others can contribute to the project.

Example README Template

# Jenkins CI/CD Pipeline Project

## Introduction

This project demonstrates a Jenkins CI/CD pipeline for automating build, test, and deployment processes.

## Prerequisites

- Jenkins

- Git

- Docker (Optional)

## Setup Instructions

1. Clone the repository.

2. Set up Jenkins with necessary plugins.

3. Create and configure a Jenkins pipeline.

4. Add GitHub webhooks.

5. Test the pipeline by pushing changes.

## Usage

1. Push changes to the GitHub repository.

2. Monitor Jenkins for automatic build, test, and deployment.

3. Review deployment on your server or cloud service.

## Screenshots


Task 2: Setting a Small Goal

Goal: Enhance knowledge on Jenkins plugins to improve pipeline efficiency.

Plan:

1. Research popular Jenkins plugins like Blue Ocean, Pipeline, and Credentials.
2. Experiment by integrating at least one new plugin into the current project.
3. Document findings and potential benefits in the README.

Conclusion

Completing and documenting the Jenkins CI/CD project is not just about marking a task off the list; it’s about creating a robust, reusable framework for future projects. The documentation serves as a blueprint for others and a reference for yourself. As we continue this journey, setting small goals keeps the momentum going, ensuring continual learning and improvement.

Summary

On Day 25, the focus is on completing the Jenkins CI/CD project by creating comprehensive documentation. This includes detailing every step from cloning the repository, setting up Jenkins, creating pipelines, and configuring webhooks to deploying the application. The task also emphasizes the importance of a well-structured README file to make the project easily understandable and reusable.

Additionally, participants are encouraged to set a small personal goal, such as exploring new Jenkins plugins, to enhance their learning experience. The day highlights the significance of documentation in DevOps, not only for collaboration but also for personal and professional growth.