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Effective Source Control Management (SCM) is the foundation of reliable CI/CD pipelines in Jenkins. By storing your application code in a versioned repository—commonly referred to as a repo—you gain access to branching, change history, and granular permissions that enhance collaboration and security. Best practices for repository organization:
  • Maintain one repository per product or microservice
  • Assign read, write, or admin roles to teams or individuals
  • Protect the main branch with branch protection rules in your SCM

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Standard Git Workflow

A consistent workflow ensures that developers can work in parallel without destabilizing the main codebase. Below is a step-by-step guide using Git commands:
  1. Clone the repository 
    git clone https://github.com/your-org/your-repo.git
  2. Create a feature branch 
    git checkout -b feature/your-feature-name
  3. Develop and test locally
    • Make code changes in your IDE
    • Run unit tests or integration tests
  4. Commit your changes 
    git add .
git commit -m "Implement user authentication flow"
  5. Push your branch to the remote 
    git push -u origin feature/your-feature-name
Use clear, descriptive branch names (e.g., feature/payment-api) to make pull request reviews and CI/CD tracking easier.
The image is a flowchart illustrating the process of modifying code using GitHub, involving cloning, branching, updating, testing, committing, and pushing changes.

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Key SCM Terms

Below is a quick reference table for essential Git concepts you’ll encounter in Jenkins pipelines and code reviews:
TermDescription
DiffA line-by-line comparison showing additions, deletions, and modifications between file versions.
CommitA snapshot of your codebase at a given point, bundling one or more diffs with a commit message.
HEADA movable pointer referencing the latest commit on your current branch (the tip of development).
Pull Request (PR)A request to merge changes from one branch into another, enabling discussion and review before merging.
Never push directly to the protected main branch. Always open a pull request to enforce code reviews, automated testing, and compliance checks.
The image illustrates SCM (Source Control Management) terminology with a diagram showing a branching and merging process, including a pull request and discussions leading to changes. It also lists terms like Diff, Commit, Head, and Pull Request (PR).

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References

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