Setting Up a CI/CD Pipeline: Source Stage

This four-part article series aims to demystify the CI/CD pipeline by delving into its four main stages: Source, Build, Test, and Deployment. Each stage plays a critical role in optimizing the software delivery process.

1. Source: The Source stage establishes the foundation of the CI/CD pipeline by setting up a Git repository to centrally manage and track the application’s source code. With version control in place, developers can work collaboratively, manage changes efficiently, and ensure a reliable codebase.
2. Build: The Build stage automates the process of compiling and assembling the source code into executable artifacts. By automating this step, developers can detect compilation errors early and ensure that the code is in a deployable state.
3. Test: In the Test stage, automated testing takes center stage. Comprehensive test suites validate the application’s functionality, security, and performance, catching bugs before they reach production.
4. Deployment: The final stage, Deployment, automates the release of the application to production or staging environments. This allows for consistent and reliable delivery, reducing the risk of manual errors and ensuring a seamless experience for end-users.

By understanding each stage’s significance, developers and DevOps teams can build efficient CI/CD pipelines that foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, enabling organizations to deliver high-quality software at an unprecedented pace. Stay tuned as we embark on this journey through each stage, uncovering valuable insights to elevate your software delivery process.

Stage 1: Source

The Source stage serves as the foundation of the CI/CD pipeline, providing a centralized location for storing and managing the source code of your application. Git, a widely adopted distributed version control system, plays a pivotal role in this stage. Setting up a Git repository is the initial step to enable seamless collaboration among developers and streamline the code integration process.

Step 1: Git Installation

Before creating a Git repository, ensure that you have Git installed on your development machine. Git is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, and you can download the installer for your operating system from the official website (https://git-scm.com/downloads). Once installed, you can open a terminal or command prompt and verify the installation by running the following command:

git --version

Step 2: Initializing a Local Repository

Once Git is installed, navigate to your project’s root directory using the terminal or command prompt. To initialize a new Git repository, execute the following command:

git init

This command creates a hidden .git directory within your project, where Git stores all the necessary data and configuration for version control.

Step 3: Staging and Committing Changes

After initializing the repository, you can begin tracking changes to your project’s files. Use the following commands to add files to the staging area and commit them to the repository:

# Add specific files to the staging area
git add <file1> <file2>

# Add all changed files to the staging area
git add .

# Commit the staged changes with a descriptive message
git commit -m "Your commit message here"

Step 4: Configuring Remote Repository

For collaborative development and centralized source code management, it’s essential to connect your local Git repository to a remote repository hosting service like GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket. Create a new empty repository on your preferred hosting service and follow their instructions to add a remote origin to your local repository:

git remote add origin <remote-repository-URL>

Step 5: Pushing Changes to the Remote Repository

To synchronize your local repository with the remote one, use the git push command:

git push -u origin master

This command pushes your local master branch to the remote repository. Subsequent pushes can be made using just git push.

Conclusion

Setting up a Git repository is the foundation for establishing an efficient CI/CD pipeline. By creating a centralized source control system, developers can collaborate seamlessly, track changes, and manage versions effectively. In the next article of this series, we will explore the Build stage, where we’ll delve into the process of automating the compilation of your code. Stay tuned for more insights on building a robust CI/CD pipeline that enables rapid and reliable application delivery.