Jenkins Terminology

When it comes to Jenkins, an open-source automation tool commonly used for continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD), there are several key terms and concepts worth knowing. Here are some of the important terminologies related to Jenkins:

1. Jenkins: An open-source automation server that helps automate software development processes such as building, testing, and deploying applications.

2. Pipeline: A fundamental concept in Jenkins, a pipeline is a set of steps or tasks that define the workflow of a software delivery process. It can be created using either the declarative or scripted syntax.

3. Job: A job in Jenkins refers to a specific task or set of instructions that Jenkins executes. It can represent any action, such as building, testing, or deploying an application.

4. Build: A build refers to the process of compiling and packaging source code into a deployable artifact, such as an executable file or a library.

5. Plugin: Jenkins supports a vast number of plugins that extend its functionality. Plugins provide additional features, integrations, and capabilities to Jenkins, enabling customization and support for various tools and technologies.

6. Stage: In Jenkins pipelines, a stage represents a distinct phase or step in the software delivery process. Each stage typically represents a specific action, such as building, testing, or deploying.

7. Agent/Node: An agent or node is a machine (physical or virtual) that Jenkins uses to execute jobs or stages. Agents can be configured to run on different platforms and operating systems, allowing distributed and parallel execution of tasks.

8. SCM (Source Code Management): SCM refers to the system or tool used to manage and version control source code repositories. Jenkins integrates with various SCM systems like Git, Subversion, Mercurial, etc., to retrieve source code for building and deploying.

9. Trigger: A trigger is an event or condition that initiates the execution of a Jenkins job or pipeline. Triggers can be time-based (scheduled), source code changes (e.g., Git commit), or manual interactions.

10. Artifact: An artifact is the output or result of a build process. It can be a compiled binary, a packaged application, or any other deliverable that is generated during the build process.

These are some of the fundamental terms associated with Jenkins. Understanding them will provide a solid foundation for working with Jenkins and its CI/CD pipelines.