Description: Jenkins Shared Libraries are a powerful feature that allows development teams to share and reuse common code across multiple Jenkins pipelines. This translates into greater efficiency and consistency in the automation of continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) processes. By centralizing code in shared libraries, developers can avoid duplication of effort and ensure that updates are reflected in all pipelines using that library. Libraries can contain functions, build steps, and configurations that are used across different projects, making code management and maintenance easier. Additionally, these libraries can be versioned, allowing teams to control changes and ensure compatibility with different versions of their applications. In a behavior-driven development (BDD) environment, shared libraries can be particularly useful for implementing automated tests and ensuring that the expected behavior of the application is maintained over time. In summary, Jenkins Shared Libraries not only optimize the CI/CD workflow but also promote collaboration and standardization in software development.
History: Jenkins Shared Libraries emerged as a response to the need for code reuse across multiple pipelines, which became increasingly relevant as Jenkins solidified its position as a popular automation tool. Although Jenkins was initially released in 2011, the shared library functionality was introduced in 2016, allowing developers to better manage their code and improve efficiency in their development processes.
Uses: Jenkins Shared Libraries are primarily used to centralize and reuse common code across different CI/CD pipelines. This includes defining functions, build steps, and configurations that can be used across multiple projects. They are also useful for maintaining consistency in automated testing and implementing behavior-driven development (BDD) practices.
Examples: A practical example of Jenkins Shared Libraries is a library that contains functions for performing automated tests on web applications. This library can be used by different projects that require similar testing, ensuring that all teams follow the same practices and standards. Another example could be a library that manages deployment configuration across different environments, allowing teams to implement changes more quickly and securely.
