YAML Workflows
Automating Builds and Tests
This article provides a comprehensive guide to writing YAML workflows for automating build and test processes. We will cover the basics of YAML syntax and provide practical examples.
YAML Workflows: Automating Builds and Tests
Writing YAML Workflows
YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) is a human-readable data serialization language often used for configuration files. In the context of workflow automation, YAML provides a structured way to define steps, dependencies, and parameters.
# Example YAML workflow
name: My Workflow
jobs:
build:
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
steps:
- uses: actions/checkout@v3
- run: echo "Building..."
test:
needs: build
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
steps:
- run: echo "Testing..."
Do You Know?
YAML uses indentation to represent structure. Spaces are preferred over tabs.
Hands-on: Automating Builds and Tests
Let's create a simple workflow to automate building and testing a project. This example assumes a basic project structure with a build script.
#!/bin/bash
# build.sh
mkdir -p build
cp *.js build/
name: Build and Test
on:
push:
branches:
- main
jobs:
build:
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
steps:
- uses: actions/checkout@v3
- run: ./build.sh
test:
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
needs: build
steps:
- run: echo "Running tests..."
Important Note
Ensure your build and test scripts are executable (chmod +x build.sh).
Avoid This
Hardcoding paths in your YAML workflows. Use relative paths or environment variables for better portability.
Summary
- YAML is a user-friendly way to define complex workflows.
- Workflows can automate tasks such as building, testing, and deployment.
- Proper indentation and clear structure are crucial in writing YAML workflows.