Let’s dig into the details of some of the predefined variables in Azure DevOps. At Bobcares, with our DevOps Consulting Service, we can handle your issues.

What are Predefined Variables in Azure DevOps?

Predefined variables for Azure DevOps are integrated variables offered by the Azure DevOps platform. They contain data about the system, the environment, or the pipeline running. We can access these variables during runtime and use them in the pipelines. They provide easy ways to get details about the current build number, repository data, branch name, and more.

Different Types

Azure DevOps has different types of built-in variables that give us useful details during the development.

1. Build Variables: These are about the building process itself, like the build number or the branch we’re working on. For example:

i. Build.BuildId: A unique number for each build.

ii. Build.SourceBranchName: The name of the branch triggering the build.

iii. Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory: Where the build files are saved.

2. Release Variables: If we’re managing releases, these variables focus on the release pipeline and deployment stages. Examples include:

i. Release.ReleaseName: The name of the current release.

ii. Release.EnvironmentName: The name of the deployment environment.

iii. System Variables: These give info about the system where the pipeline runs, like the agent’s name or the default directory.

iv. Pipeline Variables: Specific to the pipeline, such as its name or ID.

v. Artifact Variables: These are about the artifacts the pipeline produces or uses.

We can use these variables directly in the pipeline scripts to tailor how the pipeline behaves during runtime. They’re handy for things like managing paths, creating dynamic names for artifacts, or running tasks based on the OS.

We can also create own variables in the pipeline, which we can set manually or through scripts. However, we must be careful with sensitive details and consider using secure variables for secret values. These predefined variables make Azure DevOps more flexible and powerful for the CI/CD processes.

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Conclusion

To sum up, Azure DevOps provides a rich collection of predefined variables that give the CI/CD processes the crucial context and data.