Jenkins offers a wide range of plugins to support the building, deploying, and automating of any project. This open-source, self-contained automation server can manage various tasks related to software development, including building, testing, and deployment. It is versatile in installation, available through native system packages, Docker, or as a standalone application on any machine with a Java Runtime Environment (JRE).
Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery
Jenkins can serve as a basic CI server or be scaled up to function as a comprehensive continuous delivery hub for any project.
Easy Installation
The application is a self-contained Java program, ready for immediate use, with installation packages for Windows, macOS, and other Unix-like operating systems.
Easy Configuration
Setup and configuration are straightforward via the web interface, which features real-time error checking and integrated help.
Plugins
With hundreds of plugins available in the Update Center, Jenkins integrates seamlessly with nearly every tool in the continuous integration and delivery toolchain.
Extensible
Its plugin architecture allows for extensive customization, offering nearly limitless capabilities.
Distributed
Jenkins can efficiently distribute tasks across multiple machines, accelerating builds, tests, and deployments on various platforms.
Features
Easy Installation: Simply run java -jar jenkins.war or deploy Jenkins in a servlet container. No additional installation or database setup is required.
Easy Configuration: Configuration is entirely handled through a user-friendly web GUI, which includes extensive real-time error checks and inline help. Manual XML editing is no longer necessary, though it remains an option if desired.
Change Set Support: Jenkins efficiently generates a list of changes from Subversion/CVS for each build, minimizing the impact on the repository.
Permanent Links: It provides clean, readable URLs for most pages, including permalinks such as “latest build” and “latest successful build,” making them easy to link from other sources.
RSS/E-mail/IM Integration: Track build results via RSS or e-mail to receive real-time notifications about failures.
After-the-Fact Tagging: Builds can be tagged even long after they have been completed.
JUnit/TestNG Test Reporting: JUnit test reports are tabulated, summarized, and displayed with historical information, including when tests started failing. Trends are visualized in graphs.
Distributed Builds: Jenkins can distribute build and test tasks across multiple computers, optimizing the use of idle workstations.
File Fingerprinting: It tracks which build produced which jars and which build is using which version of jars. This feature is useful for managing dependencies, even for jars produced outside the application.
Plugin Support: Jenkins can be extended with third-party plugins, allowing you to develop custom tools and processes tailored to your team’s needs.
FAQ’s
What is Jenkins and what does it do?
Jenkins is an open-source automation server designed to help with building, deploying, and automating various tasks in software development. It supports continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) by managing tasks such as building, testing, and deploying software. Jenkins is versatile in installation and can run on various platforms, including through native system packages, Docker, or as a standalone application.
How do I install Jenkins?
Installing Jenkins is straightforward. You can simply run java -jar jenkins.war to start it, or deploy it in a servlet container. Jenkins is also available as installation packages for Windows, macOS, and Unix-like operating systems, so no additional setup or database installation is needed.
Is Jenkins easy to configure?
Yes, Jenkins is designed with ease of use in mind. Configuration is handled through a user-friendly web interface that provides real-time error checking and integrated help. While manual XML editing is no longer necessary, it is still an option if you prefer.
Can Jenkins integrate with other tools?
Absolutely. Jenkins supports hundreds of plugins available in its Update Center, allowing it to integrate seamlessly with virtually every tool in the CI/CD toolchain. This makes it highly adaptable to various development environments and workflows.
What does Jenkins mean by “distributed builds”?
Jenkins can distribute build and test tasks across multiple computers, which helps to utilize idle workstations and speed up the overall process. This distributed approach ensures more efficient builds, tests, and deployments.
How does Jenkins handle build change sets?
Jenkins can generate a list of changes made to a build from Subversion or CVS repositories. This feature is designed to be efficient, minimizing the load on the repository while providing detailed change information.
Can I track build results and get notifications?
Yes, Jenkins supports RSS, email, and IM integrations to keep you updated on build results. You can receive real-time notifications about build failures or other important events.
What is “file fingerprinting” in Jenkins?
File fingerprinting is a feature that tracks which builds produced which jar files and which versions are in use. This is useful for managing dependencies and ensuring consistency, even for jars created outside the Jenkins application.
Can Jenkins be customized with plugins?
Jenkins is highly extensible through its plugin architecture. You can use existing third-party plugins or develop your own to tailor Jenkins to your team’s specific needs and processes.
What are permanent links in Jenkins?
Jenkins provides clean, readable URLs for many of its pages, including permalinks like “latest build” and “latest successful build.” These permanent links make it easy to reference and share specific builds or statuses from other sources.
Can builds be tagged after they are completed?
Yes, Jenkins allows for builds to be tagged even after they have been completed, giving you flexibility in organizing and managing build records.
How does Jenkins support JUnit/TestNG test reporting?
Jenkins can summarize and display JUnit and TestNG test reports, including historical information such as when tests started failing. Test results and trends are also visualized in graphs for better analysis.
Conclusion
Jenkins is a versatile and powerful automation server ideal for continuous integration and delivery. Its easy installation, extensive plugins, and user-friendly configuration make it a top choice for streamlining development workflows. With features like distributed builds, efficient change tracking, and comprehensive test reporting, Jenkins helps teams automate and optimize their software development processes effectively.