Github Actions

We’ll explore creating a CI pipeline using GitHub Actions to automate tests and more. GitHub Actions integrates directly with your GitHub repository, offering a seamless way to manage your CI/CD workflows alongside your code, pull requests, and community contributions. Let's delve into why GitHub Actions is a great choice and how to set up a CI pipeline.

Why GitHub Actions?

• Integration: Your pipeline resides in the same place as your code.

• Community: Leverage pre-built actions and workflows shared by other developers.

• Flexibility: Supports various triggers, such as code commits, and works across multiple platforms (Windows, Linux, MacOS) and languages.

• Automation: Automate testing, linting, and even deployment processes, with failure notifications sent via email or chat services like Slack.

GitHub Actions Overview

GitHub Actions allows you to create workflows in response to events, like pushing code. These workflows consist of steps defined in YAML files that detail the tasks for the CI server. A workflow typically includes:

1. Trigger: Specifies when the workflow should start (e.g., on a code push).

2. Jobs: Each job includes multiple steps and runs on specified platforms.

3. Matrix Strategy: Allows running jobs across different environments (e.g., multiple OS or Node.js versions) for comprehensive testing.

4. Steps: Each step uses actions to perform tasks, like checking out code or setting up environments.

Example Workflow

In a sample ci.yml file:

• A job named Test runs on multiple platforms (Ubuntu, MacOS, Windows).

• Steps include actions like checkout to fetch code and setup-node to prepare the Node.js environment.

GitHub Actions supports using shared actions for tasks like deploying to cloud services or running browser tests. For public repositories, GitHub Actions is free, making it an accessible tool for open-source projects.