Jenkins Pipeline is a suite of plugins that support implementing and integrating continuous delivery pipelines into Jenkins. For QA engineers, software developers, and DevOps teams, knowing Jenkins Pipeline can revolutionize how applications are built, tested, and deployed.

What is Jenkins & How Does It Work?

Open-source automation server Jenkins is capable of automation in both continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines and in setting up DevOps and Agile practices across the software development process, with build, test, and deploy setups. It also integrates with hundreds of plugins and can orchestrate different jobs across multiple environments.

Jenkins Pipeline is a suite of plugins that support implementing and integrating continuous delivery pipelines into Jenkins. It enables you to codify end-to-end automation flows through the Jenkinsfile—your single source of truth.

What is Jenkins Pipeline?

A Jenkins Pipeline allows users to write and execute their build, test, and deploy processes in a scripted format. This ensures:

What is the pipeline in Jenkins?

A pipeline in Jenkins is a user-defined model of a continuous delivery pipeline. It consists of stages and steps that take code from source control through build, test, and deployment.

Key Benefits of Using Jenkins Pipeline

Types of Jenkins Pipelines

Jenkins supports multiple pipeline formats, each catering to specific needs:

Declarative Pipeline

This is a structured format ideal for teams who want a simple and readable syntax. It enforces best practices through a predefined hierarchy.

Syntax Example:
pipeline {
  agent any
  stages {
	stage('Build') {
  	steps {
    	echo 'Building...'
  	}
	}
	stage('Test') {
  	steps {
    	echo 'Testing...'
  	}
	}
	stage('Deploy') {
  	steps {
    	echo 'Deploying...'
  	}
	}
  }
}

Scripted Pipeline

This uses Groovy scripting and is more flexible but requires deeper technical knowledge. It is ideal for complex automation requirements.

Syntax Example:
node {
  stage('Build') {
	echo 'Building...'
  }
  stage('Test') {
	echo 'Testing...'
  }
  stage('Deploy') {
	echo 'Deploying...'
  }
}

Multibranch Pipeline

Automatically creates pipelines for branches and pull requests in your source control repository.

Shared Libraries

Modularize and reuse common pipeline logic across teams or projects.

Jenkins Pipeline Stages

Each pipeline consists of stages, which are collections of steps representing different lifecycle phases.

Parallel Stages

Used to run multiple tasks simultaneously—for example, cross-browser tests.

Sequential Stages

Steps run one after another in a defined order, offering clarity in execution flow.
This distinction enables better resource utilization and clearer insights during execution.

Jenkins Pipeline Scripting

Jenkins pipeline scripting can be done either through declarative syntax or scripted logic. Best practices include:

What is Jenkins Used For?

Jenkins is widely used for:

It is a vital component in any DevOps toolchain.

Is Jenkins Open Source?

Yes. Jenkins is free and open-source, supported by a vibrant community. With over 1000 plugins, it integrates with nearly every major technology and tool in the DevOps ecosystem.

Examples of Jenkins Pipeline

Building a Pipeline in Jenkins

Here’s how to get started:

Use of Jenkins in DevOps

Jenkins plays a critical role in modern DevOps pipelines:

Final Thoughts

Jenkins Pipeline is critical for establishing modern, efficient, and scalable CI/CD systems. Jenkins has you covered, whether you’re building microservices, integrating test automation via tools like ACCELQ, or just looking to augment your DevOps pipeline.

Utilize Jenkins Pipelines and streamline your development pipeline today. Download the plugin or learn more at ACCELQ.