How To Create Methods In Jenkins Declarative Pipeline?

Jenkins is an open-source automation tool used to automate the fetch, build, test, and deploy stages of a software application. Here in this guide, we will first discuss what is Jenkins. Then we will discuss what is Jenkins Declarative Pipeline. After this, I will walk you through the detailed steps to create a method in the Jenkins declarative pipeline.

What Is Jenkins?

Jenkins is an automation tool that helps automate the build, test, and deploy stages of a software application. Jenkins provides a very friendly user interface. Jenkins helps developers to easily build and test their code. Developers can know more quickly whether their code is properly working or not. Here the moment new code from developers is added to the version control system (like Github, Gitlab ), Jenkins automatically starts the pipeline and it builds and tests the code. If the new code correctly working developers will get build status SUCCESS and if the new code is not integrating properly with the old code then it will show build status FAILURE. Jenkins automates the software development cycle.

It automates various stages which helps in reducing any type of manual error and also improves efficiency. Apart from these Jenkins also provides a variety of plugins that help in the automation of pipelines. For example, it provides Trivy and OWASP plugins for testing the code. With each update, Jenkins is evolving and becoming more reliable for automating the software development process. In summary, we can say Jenkins has become an important tool for organizations and developers to accelerate their software development life cycle.

What Is Jenkins Declarative Pipeline?

Jenkins declarative pipeline uses Groovy Domain Specific Language to define structured pipelines. It uses a set of predefined keywords like pipeline, stages, stage, and steps to write the pipeline code. Here using the state keyword we declare the various stages of a pipeline like fetch, build, test, and deploy. Under the steps block, we write the commands to execute a certain stage. Declarative pipelines are defined in Jenkinsfile which can be stored in the version control system with the application code. This helps the developer team to manage changes, track history, and work more effectively. We can also visualize the build progress of a job written in declarative pipeline syntax. So overall we can say Jenkins’s declarative pipeline simplifies the defining and managing of CI/CD pipelines by offering a simple syntax and structured language.

Steps To Create Methods In Jenkins Declarative Pipeline

Step 1: Go to the Jenkins dashboard and create a new item.

Step 2 : Now give the item name and select pipeline .

Step 3 : Now write some demo Jenkins declarative pipeline using methods . Here using a method i have printed the different stage names.

pipeline {
    agent any

    stages {
        stage('Stage 1') {
            steps {
                demoMethod("Stage 1")
                echo "Hello Geeks!"
            }
        }
        stage('Stage 2') {
            steps {
                demoMethod("Stage 2")
            }
        }
    }
}
def demoMethod(stageName) {
    echo "This is ${stageName}"
}

Step 4 : Now select Build Now to build the Jenkins pipeline.

Step 5 : Now see the output of Jenkins declarative pipeline in the console output.

Conclusion

Here in this article you have first learned what is Jenkins . Then you have learned about Jenkins declarative pipeline. Through this we have created a demo declarative pipeline on Jenkins on following the steps to create a method and use that method in the Jenkins declarative pipeline.

Jenkins Declarative Pipeline ?-FAQ’s

What Are Methods In Jenkins Declarative Pipeline ?

Methods are used to define specific tasks in a jenkins pipeline which can be used in different stages of a pipeline . Here in one place we have to define the methods and then we can call them inside a pipeline stage .

What Are The Most Common Keywords Used In Jenkins Declarative Pipeline ?

Keywords like pipeline , stages , stage , steps , post are used commonly in Jenkins declarative pipeline.

Is It possible To Use Same Method Across Different Pipeline Stages ?

Yes same method can be used across different stages of a pipeline.

What Is Declared Inside Steps Block In The Jenkins Declarative Pipeline ?

Inside a steps block , commands are declared to execute a particular stage successfully in Jenkins declarative pipeline .

What Are The Different Benefits Of Using Methods In Jenkins Declarative Pipeline ?

Some benefits of using methods in Jenkins declarative pipeline are , these methods are reusable in the pipeline and it also improves the pipeline readability .