Learning GitHub Actions for DevOps CI/CD

Overview

Class Central Tips

GitHub Actions automates software workflows via YAML files triggered by repository events, schedules, or manual inputs. This intensive course offers a comprehensive understanding of GitHub Actions, covering workflow components like events, jobs, steps, and runners. Learners will explore environment variables, secure password storage, manual approvals, and sharing values between steps and jobs. The course also includes using self-hosted runners and deploying an infrastructure-as-code (IaC) template with Bicep. Key skills such as building, pushing, and deploying Docker containers, and optimizing Azure web app performance are emphasized. Designed for cloud consultants, Azure IaaS and PaaS administrators, developers, and cloud enthusiasts, the course requires YAML syntax knowledge, basic command line skills, and Visual Studio Code. It focuses on practical examples and hands-on experience, enabling learners to automate workflows from concept to production.

Syllabus

Introduction to the GitHub Action Workflows

In this module, we will introduce you to the basics of GitHub Action workflows. You will gain an understanding of the overall workflow, explore the essential components such as events, jobs, steps, and runners, and learn how to run workflows and read their logs.

GitHub Actions: Exploring the Features

In this module, we will dive deeper into the features of GitHub Actions. You will learn about environment variables, default GitHub variables, and how to securely store secrets and passwords. Additionally, you will explore GitHub Artifacts, environments with manual approvals, and sharing values between steps and jobs.

GitHub Runners

In this module, we will explore GitHub runners. You will learn about the role of runners, how to add self-hosted runners, and how to run jobs on them.

GitHub Actions for Infrastructure Deployment

In this module, we will focus on using GitHub Actions for infrastructure deployment. You will understand the need for Infrastructure as Code (IaC), develop IaC templates using Bicep, and create GitHub Action workflows to automate infrastructure deployment.

Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment

In this module, we will cover the essentials of Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment. You will learn about CI, and create a CD workflow to deploy applications to Azure App Service.

Building, Pushing, and Deploying Docker Containers

In this module, we will guide you through building and deploying Docker containers using GitHub Actions. You will learn how to streamline your container management process using these powerful automation tools.