GitLab CI/CD
GitLab CI, now commonly known as GitLab CI/CD, is a continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) tool integrated into the GitLab platform. Here are detailed insights into its functionality, history, and context:
Overview
GitLab CI/CD allows developers to automatically test, build, and deploy their code directly from their GitLab repositories. It's designed to facilitate the automation of the software development process, from integration to deployment, enabling teams to deliver software more frequently and reliably.
History
- Introduction: GitLab CI was first introduced in 2013 as an external service, which could be integrated with GitLab.
- Integration: By 2015, GitLab CI was fully integrated into GitLab itself, allowing for seamless CI/CD pipeline configuration within the repository's settings.
- Evolution: Over the years, GitLab CI/CD has evolved from a simple CI tool to a comprehensive DevOps platform, including features like auto-scaling, parallel execution, and advanced deployment strategies.
Key Features
- Configuration via .gitlab-ci.yml: Pipelines are configured using a YAML file named `.gitlab-ci.yml` placed in the root of the project.
- Auto DevOps: Automatically configures CI/CD pipelines for common languages and frameworks.
- Environments: Supports creation of multiple environments for different stages of development, testing, staging, and production.
- Merge Request Pipelines: Runs pipelines on every push to a merge request, providing immediate feedback on changes.
- GitLab Runner: A lightweight application that runs CI/CD jobs on your infrastructure, which can be self-hosted or provided by GitLab.
- Security: Integrates with various security scanners to detect vulnerabilities during the CI/CD process.
Context
GitLab CI/CD fits into the broader DevOps culture, aiming to bridge the gap between development and operations. It's part of the larger trend towards automating the entire software lifecycle, from coding to deployment, to reduce manual errors, increase efficiency, and accelerate delivery cycles.
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