Learn GITLAB-CI with Real Code Examples

GitLab CI/CD automates software delivery pipelines.

Uses declarative YAML configuration in `.gitlab-ci.yml`.

Supports multiple stages like build, test, and deploy.

Integrates with GitLab repositories for seamless version control.

Facilitates parallel and sequential job execution for efficiency.

Jobs - individual tasks executed in stages

Stages - sequential phases of a pipeline

Runners - agents that execute jobs

Artifacts - intermediate outputs saved between jobs

Variables - configurable parameters for jobs and pipelines

Pipeline - sequence of stages executed for a commit

Job - individual unit of work within a stage

Stage - logical grouping of jobs (build, test, deploy)

Runner - agent that executes jobs

Artifacts - files preserved for later stages or downloads

.gitlab-ci.yml - pipeline configuration file

Scripts/ - optional shell, Python, or deploy scripts

Dockerfile - optional container image for jobs

Config files for environments and secrets

Directory structure reflects project artifacts for stages

Define stages in `.gitlab-ci.yml`

Define jobs under each stage

Specify scripts, images, and dependencies for jobs

Assign runners to execute jobs

Trigger pipeline via commit, schedule, or manual action

Beginner: Single-stage build and test pipeline

Intermediate: Multi-stage pipeline with artifacts

Advanced: Conditional jobs, caching, and parallel execution

Expert: Deployment pipelines with Kubernetes integration

Architect: Complex multi-project pipelines with triggers and schedules

GitLab CI vs Jenkins: integrated vs external tool

GitLab CI vs GitHub Actions: GitLab-native vs GitHub-native

GitLab CI vs CircleCI: self-hosted vs SaaS-centric

GitLab CI vs Travis CI: enterprise vs open-source focus

GitLab CI vs Azure Pipelines: GitLab integration vs Microsoft ecosystem

2011 - GitLab CI introduced

2013 - Runner introduced for job execution

2015 - Auto DevOps pipelines introduced

2018 - Kubernetes integration improved

2023+ - Ongoing enhancements to pipelines, runners, and YAML features

Pipeline - ordered stages executed per commit

Job - individual task within a stage

Stage - logical grouping of jobs

Runner - agent that executes jobs

Artifact - file or folder saved between jobs or for download