helixml / demo-recipes

CI/CD Pipeline for https://github.com/helixml/demo-recipes/

CI/CD Pipeline Overview

The CI/CD pipeline for this project is designed to automate the build, test, and deployment process, promoting faster and more reliable releases. This pipeline uses GitHub Actions, a powerful tool for automating workflows within GitHub.

Pipeline Stages

The CI/CD pipeline is divided into the following stages:

  • Build: This stage focuses on compiling the project code and creating the application package.
  • Test: This stage executes unit tests to ensure the code’s functionality and quality.
  • Deploy: This stage pushes the built application package to a chosen deployment environment, making it accessible to users.

Defining the Pipeline with GitHub Actions

GitHub Actions are defined through YAML files within the .github/workflows directory of the repository. These files define the steps and actions involved in each stage of the CI/CD pipeline.

Example Workflow File:

name: CI
          
          on:
            push:
              branches: [ "main" ]
            pull_request:
              branches: [ "main" ]
          
          jobs:
            build:
              runs-on: ubuntu-latest
          
              steps:
              - uses: actions/checkout@v3
              - name: Set up Python
                uses: actions/setup-python@v4
                with:
                  python-version: '3.10'
              - name: Install dependencies
                run: pip install -r requirements.txt
              - name: Run tests
                run: pytest
              - name: Build the application
                run: |
                  python setup.py sdist bdist_wheel
              - name: Upload the package
                uses: actions/upload-artifact@v3
                with:
                  name: python-package
                  path: dist/

This example defines a workflow called “CI” that triggers on pushes or pull requests to the “main” branch. The workflow runs on the “ubuntu-latest” virtual environment, performs the following steps:

  1. Checkout Code: Checks out the source code from the repository.
  2. Set up Python: Sets up the Python environment using a specific version.
  3. Install Dependencies: Installs the project dependencies.
  4. Run Tests: Executes the unit tests using pytest.
  5. Build the Application: Builds the application using the setup.py script.
  6. Upload Package: Uploads the built application package as an artifact.

Note: This example is a basic representation. The actual workflow file may include additional steps or customizations depending on the project requirements.

Triggering the Pipeline

The CI/CD pipeline can be triggered automatically based on predefined events, such as pushing code to the repository or creating a pull request.

Triggers:

  • Push to Branch: Triggers the pipeline when code is pushed to a specific branch.
  • Pull Request: Triggers the pipeline when a pull request is created or updated.
  • Schedule: Triggers the pipeline based on a schedule, like daily or weekly runs.

Customizing the Pipeline

The CI/CD pipeline is highly customizable and can be tailored to specific project needs.

Customization Options:

  • Environments: Define different environments (e.g., development, staging, production) and configure deployment targets.
  • Deployment Strategies: Utilize various deployment strategies like blue-green deployment or canary deployment for smooth updates.
  • Additional Tools: Integrate other tools into the pipeline, such as code analysis tools, security scanners, or performance testing frameworks.

Conclusion

The CI/CD pipeline helps streamline the development process by automating tasks, ensuring quality, and accelerating releases. By understanding the structure of the pipeline and its customization options, developers can leverage it effectively to build and deploy the application efficiently.