Azure DevOps Build Pipeline | CI/CD | Create .Net Core Build Pipeline

Introduction

This tutorial guides you through creating a build pipeline in Azure DevOps for an ASP.NET Core MVC web application. Utilizing Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) practices, this guide is essential for developers looking to automate their build processes and ensure efficient deployment.

Step 1: Set Up Your Azure DevOps Account

• Navigate to the Azure DevOps website and sign up for an account if you don't already have one.
• Once logged in, create a new project by selecting the "New Project" button.
• Fill in the project details, such as the name and description, and choose the visibility (public or private).

Step 2: Create a New Build Pipeline

• Go to the "Pipelines" section from the left sidebar and click on "Builds."
• Click on the "New Pipeline" button to start creating your build pipeline.
• Select your code repository source (e.g., Azure Repos Git, GitHub, etc.) and authorize Azure DevOps to access your repository.

Step 3: Configure Your Pipeline

• Choose the type of application you are building. For this tutorial, select "ASP.NET Core."

• Azure DevOps will automatically suggest a YAML pipeline configuration. Review and modify the configuration as needed.

• Here’s a sample YAML configuration for a .NET Core project:

  trigger:
    branches:
      include:
        - main
  
  pool:
    vmImage: 'windows-latest'
  
  steps:
    - task: DotNetCoreCLI@2
      displayName: 'Build with dotnet'
      inputs:
        command: 'build'
        projects: '**/*.csproj'
    - task: DotNetCoreCLI@2
      displayName: 'Test with dotnet'
      inputs:
        command: 'test'
        projects: '**/*.csproj'
  

• Adjust the trigger and pool sections according to your project needs.

Step 4: Save and Run Your Pipeline

• After configuring the pipeline, click "Save" to store your changes.
• To test the pipeline, click on "Run" to initiate the build process.
• Monitor the build process in the Azure DevOps interface. Ensure that all steps complete successfully.

Step 5: Set Up Continuous Deployment

• After confirming your build pipeline works, navigate to the "Release" section within Azure DevOps.
• Click on "New Pipeline" to create a release pipeline that will deploy your application.
• Link the release pipeline to your build pipeline by selecting the artifact created in the build process.
• Configure deployment stages, such as staging and production, based on your deployment strategy.

Conclusion

Creating a build pipeline in Azure DevOps for an ASP.NET Core MVC web app streamlines your development process through automation. By following these steps, you have set up a CI/CD pipeline that can help deliver high-quality software efficiently. For further learning, consider exploring additional Azure DevOps tutorials or experimenting with different deployment strategies to enhance your application’s delivery process.