Jenkins Tweaks for Beginners - Part 2

Jenkins is an open source automation tool which made CI and CD super easier to implement. But for beginners, it would take loads of time to come up with a solution for a feature. It has limitations, but comes with a wide range of plugins which would add lots of features.

Here is my Part 1 which explains on some UI tweaks which can be added to Jenkins.

Prerequisites

As we are discussing about tweaks, All you need is:

• Basic Understanding on how to write pipelines in Jenkins.
• Basic Linux and Java skills to understand the working.
• Groovy for scripting

Setting up pipelines:

In Jenkins pipeline can be defined in two types of syntax

1. Declarative
2. Scripted

Declarative approach helps us to to write and read Pipeline code easier. It provides support for various technologies like Docker and Kubernetes. I will be using this approach.

pipeline {
    agent any 
    stages {
        stage('First Stage') {
            steps {
                echo 'Hello world!' 
            }
        }
        stage('Second Stage') {
            steps {
                echo 'Hello Hello world!' 
            }
        }
    }
}

Scripted approach was the first implementation of Pipeline as Code and is imperative programming approach.

node {  
    stage('First Stage'') { 
        echo 'Hello world!' 
    }
    stage('Test') { 
        echo 'Hello Hello world!'
    }
}

Script Console

The script console in Jenkins provides an environment to try out scripts which can be used in Jenkins without Script approval. 😆

Don't ever reload the page without copying the script

You can find the script console by navigating to

YOUR_IP:PORT/script

for example:

107.235.18.170:8080/script

Adding Parameters to Pipeline:

Parameters in Jenkins can be used to define environment variables which can be accessed in the pipeline for performing certain tasks.

Go to your project > Configure > Checkbox "This project is parameterised"

Snippet Generator

Snippet Generator will generate pipeline script which can be used inside the pipeline. It generates scripts for installed plugins. I have already explained in my last blog on how plugins can add features to Jenkins.

Go to your Project > Select Pipeline Syntax from the LeftPane > Snippet Generator

Generate Scripts for Declarative Syntax

Go to your Project > Select Pipeline Syntax from the LeftPane > Declarative Directive Generator

Conclusion

Lets conclude the above learnt steps from an example

Install Extended Choice Parameter

Manage Jenkins > Manage Plugins > Search for " Extended Choice Parameter " > Install without restart

Extended Choice Parameter is similar to Choice Parameter where user is provided with choice, but extended choice provides enhanced features by providing a way to use Groovy Script which can be used to return array of values.

Create a pipeline

New Item > Select Pipeline > Enter an item name > OK

Lets copy the pipeline script provided at top in declarative approach to Pipeline script

Generating extended choice parameter from Declarative Generator

In the Declarative Generator > From the dropdown select parameters: Parameters > Add > extendedChoice: Extended Choice Parameter

Verify the working of script in Script Console

In another tab, verify the working of the script

Generate Declarative Directive from Declarative Generator and Copy

Here is the final pipeline which I can use in the Pipeline Script of the project.

pipeline {
    agent any 
    parameters {
      extendedChoice bindings: '', description: 'this is for the demo example', groovyClasspath: '', 
        groovyScript: '''def example = "1"

      if(example == "1") {
           return ["1st","2nd","3rd"]
      }''', multiSelectDelimiter: ',', name: 'example', quoteValue: false, saveJSONParameterToFile: false, type: 'PT_SINGLE_SELECT', visibleItemCount: 4
    }

    stages {
        stage('First Stage') {
            steps {
                echo 'Hello world!' 
            }
        }
        stage('Second Stage') {
            steps {
                echo 'Hello Hello world!' 
            }
        }
    }
}

Now build the Project using Build Now

After the first build, the Build with Parameters replaces Build Now
Click on Build with Parameters to Select to select the parameter and Build

These tweaks can make Jenkins awesome for CICD pipelines and is loved by many ❤️.

Thanks!!