Jenkins Configuration

Jenkins Home Directory

The Jenkins Home Directory is more than just a repository for files; it's a repository of your organization's automation. Every configuration tweak, job definition, and plugin installation is stored within this directory. This means that proper management and safeguarding of this directory are imperative. Regular backups are necessary, against data loss due to hardware failures, software glitches, or accidental misconfigurations. Some contents which can be found in Jenkins Home Directory includes Configuration files, Plugis, Logs and Build history, Job Configurations, System Files etc. By default, the Jenkins home directory location will be initially stored within your user profile or if started using Docker can be found in /var/jenkins_home.
To check your home directory you can go to /configure and under "System -> Home Directory" you can see where it's located.

No of executors

Executors are like worker bees in Jenkins they carry out tasks like building jobs, tests, and other tasks. Think of them as the hands that execute the actions defined in your pipeline. The more executors you have, the more tasks can be worked on simultaneously, akin to having multiple hands assembling products. The decision of how many executors to allocate depends on several factors. Firstly, consider your hardware resources. If your Jenkins server is running on a robust machine with ample CPU cores and memory, you can afford to allocate a higher number of executors.

Sometimes the recommendation is to keep this number the same as the number of CPUs on the machines for better performance.

Environment Variables

Environment variables are like hidden notes that carry valuable information your jobs need. These notes hold data such as API keys, credentials, URLs, and configuration settings. Rather than hardcoding these sensitive details directly into your scripts or job configurations, you use environment variables as placeholders.

Advantages of Environment Variables:

1. Security: By abstracting sensitive data, you minimize the risk of exposing critical information.
2. Flexibility: Environment variables allow you to create adaptable pipelines that can seamlessly transition across different environments – from development to production – without manual adjustments.
3. Maintainability: Managing variables from a central location is more efficient than updating each job configuration individually. This reduces the chances of errors creeping in during updates.

for most part we use Jenkins plugin named Environment varible injector

Naming convention for environment variables:

• Use UPPERCASE letters.
• Separate words with UNDERSCORES for readability.
• Be DESCRIPTIVE to convey purpose.
• Avoid SPECIAL CHARACTERS and spaces.
• for eg. Consider environment-specific names (e.g., DB_PROD_HOST).

Jenkins URL

The Jenkins URL is the web address where your Jenkins instance can be accessed. It's like the front door to your automated home. This URL is crucial not only for internal team members but also for tools, services, and integrations that interact with Jenkins via APIs and webhooks.

By default, it points towards localhost if you have a domain name specified for your machine you can change it to that.

Email Notification

Email notifications are like virtual postmen who deliver updates right to your team's inbox. Whenever a build completes, a test fails, or a deployment succeeds, Jenkins can be configured to send out automated emails to relevant team members, providing real-time information on the state of your pipeline.