Azure DevOps

Azure DevOps provides a suite of services designed to support teams in planning work, collaborating on code development, and managing the build and deployment of applications. It addresses the complexities that arise when multiple developers work on different modules of an application, making it easier to merge changes, conduct testing, and deploy applications efficiently.

Key Services of Azure DevOps

1. Azure Repositories:
   • A set of version control tools that allow teams to manage their code.
   • Supports both Git repositories and Team Foundation Version Control (TFVC).
   • Facilitates the creation of multiple branches, enabling developers to work on different versions of the code independently.
2. Azure Pipelines:
   • A continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) service that can deploy to various cloud services, including Azure.
   • Allows teams to define build pipelines to compile their code and release pipelines to deploy applications to specified environments.
3. Azure Boards:
   • Offers tools for agile planning, including support for Scrum and Kanban methodologies.
   • Features customizable dashboards and integrated reporting to track activities and progress through different stages (e.g., “To Do,” “In Progress,” “Done”).
4. Azure Test Plans:
   • Provides a comprehensive test management solution for planned manual testing and exploratory testing.
   • Enables teams to manage test cases and track testing progress.
5. Azure Artifacts:
   • Manages dependencies on various packages, such as NuGet, npm, and Maven.
   • Supports universal packages to store any file or set of files, simplifying dependency management across projects.
6. Collaboration Tools:
   • Includes customizable team dashboards with widgets for tracking progress and trends.
   • Supports the creation of wiki pages for documentation and notifications for important updates.

Structure of Azure DevOps

• Organization:
  • A high-level structure that connects related projects within Azure DevOps, representing business units, regional divisions, or other enterprise structures.
• Projects:
  • A project in Azure DevOps includes various features:
    • Boards and backlogs for agile planning.
    • Pipelines for continuous integration and deployment.
    • Repositories for source code management.
    • Continuous test integration throughout the project lifecycle.

Creating an Azure DevOps Account and Project

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Start Free:
   • Go to Azure DevOps Services and click on Start Free.
2. Fill in Details:
   • Provide the required details and select your region, then click Next.
3. Account Creation:
   • Your Azure DevOps account will be created.
4. Create Organization:
   • Click on New Organization.
   • Provide a name for your organization and select the hosting location.
5. Organization Created:
   • Your organization is now created, and you will be redirected to the Create a Project page.
6. Create Project:
   • Enter a name for your project.
   • Click on Advanced to select version control and work item process.
7. Finalizing Creation:
   • Click on Create Project. Your project is now set up, and you can invite team members to collaborate.