I'm using TFS2015 update 1. I want to pass information from one build step to the next, how is this possible?
That seems like a very simple task, but I can't figure out how that's suppose to work. Passing a variable to a build step is easy, but passing information from one step to the next seems to be impossible. I hope I'm wrong.
You can call the task.setvariable Logging Command, which sets a variable in the variable service of taskcontext. The first task can set a variable, and following tasks are able to use the variable. The variable is exposed to the following tasks as an environment variable.
Example:
##vso[task.setvariable variable=testvar;]testvalue
Related
In build definition (on Variables tab) I am trying to define a custom variable (Build.Repository.Clean) using simple expression $[not(false)]. But when I print variables during build -- regardless of expression used, Build.Repository.Clean value is always false.
Strangely enough, definining it with something like $(FullBuild) (where FullBuild is another custom variable) works just fine.
Am I missing something?
Notes:
using TFS 2018
Backstory:
Trying to set Build.Repository.Clean variable depending on a custom variable QuickBuild (which can be set by user when kicking off a build). Tried specifying $[not(variables.QuickBuild)] (and other variations of same expression) -- no luck.
here is how it works right now (but I'd rather have QuickBuild instead of FullBuild -- just can't figure out how to negate a variable):
Update 3:
Well, ignore if it changes clean operation during queue time. For what you are looking for, you could try this format:
Build.Repository.Clean=$[not(eq(variables.QuickBuild,'True'))]
If QuickBuild=True, Build.Repository.Clean=False,
If QuickBuild=False, then Build.Repository.Clean.Clean=True
For example:
I have set the clean option in Get Source Step, Clean=true
Build.Repository.Clean=$(FullBuild)
FullBuild=false
Now when I queue the build, then try to change the FullBuild=false during queue
time.
What you thought, the Build.Repository.Clean should change to False , then the clean operation will not be executed. But the truth is, the Build.Repository.Clean is still True and the clean is executed.
Even you do not update the value of FullBuild=false during the queue time, directly set the value FullBuild=false in build pipeline. This will also not use.
In the opposite, if you set Clean=false in Get Source Step. No matter what kind of value you input in FullBuild or Build.Repostiory.Clean during queue build.
It will not clean during the build pipeline.
Conclusion: It's not able to change the clean operation during queue time. This is not related any expression at all. Not matter what kind of value you set for Build.Repository.Clean.
Update 2
After go through your question and all comments once again. Seems your truly goal is assigning the clean options at queue-time based another customized variable.
Since you are not able to change Build.Repository.Clean during queue time. So you are trying to use this workaround. It's not support. There is not a way to assign the clean options at queue-time.
You may have to pre-define this variable in your build pipeline.
Also take a look at this question: How to clean build using self-hosted agent when queuing
In your scenario, you can create two build pipelines as an ugly workaround. One for incremental build (Disable the Clean option in get source step, or use variable Build.Repository.Clean = False), and another one enable the Clean option.
Hope it's clearly.
Expressions are not evaluated when they are used to initialize custom variables (on Variables tab). I.e. variable value ends up being a string with value equal to your expression (e.g. '$[not(<whatever>)]'). Later, when that variable gets used in context that expect boolean -- it still doesn't get evaluated, instead it gets type-casted and any non-empty string yields true.
On the other hand variable substitution happens -- i.e. value $(MyVar) gets replaced with value of MyVar.
Built-in variable seem to be special in sense that if you override them -- this process happens at the start and it's value gets immediately replaced with resulting value.
Note -- this may (or may not) be related to this.
Bottomline: you can't use expressions to override value of a built-in variable.
I am trying to create a variable in TFS for my task for timestamp in format yyyymmdd. I know that I create a task specifically for this using bash or powershell. However, I am looking to find some existing variable or some way to create this variable without having to setup a task dedicated for itself.
So far I have tried to use $(Date:yyyymmdd) in my variables but it does not put values in it, it uses variable name as is.
For example, C:\Alpha\beta\$(Date:yyyymmdd) instead of C:\Alpha\beta\20191107
Can anyone help me with this ? Thanks a lot
Actually, it is hence not expanded. We do not have this kind of system or environment variable which get current date time and work every. You may have noticed you could use $(Date), however which is only available in the Build number format section. Others such as $(Rev:r) and $(DateOfYear) are the same, do not work outside the BuildNumberFormat-Settings..
Take a look at the list of all system and environment variables here: Predefined variables
As you have pointed out, you need to use a script in a PowerShell Task to set a variable in your build definition, a sample:
$date=$(Get-Date -Format 'yyyymmdd');
Write-Host "##vso[task.setvariable variable=time]$date"
Then you can use $(time) in your subsequent build tasks.
More details also take a look at this similar question: VSO(TFS) - get current date time as variable
TFS release management has a concept of variables. They're set in the release definition at design time. Is there a way for tasks to change variables so that other tasks see the changes?
The Windows SET command only affects the environment of the currently executing instance of cmd.exe, it doesn't affect the enclosing process' environment.
Passing info from step to step in a temp file in the working folder is possible, but crude.
I believe so. I have not tested this, but take a look at this VSO Build Task:
https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=jessehouwing.jessehouwing-vsts-variable-tasks
It has a task where it can set the variable. Here is the specific powershell script it calls:
https://github.com/jessehouwing/vsts-variable-tasks/blob/master/vsts-variable-set/vsts-variable-set.ps1
Line 22:
Write-Host "##vso[task.setvariable variable=$($VariableName);]$Value"
UPDATE:
I have since found Microsoft documentation here:
https://github.com/Microsoft/vsts-tasks/blob/master/docs/authoring/commands.md
Specifically:
vso[task.setvariable]value
variable=variable name (Required)
issecret=true (Optional)
Sets a variable in the variable service of taskcontext. The first task can set a variable, and following tasks are able to use the variable. The variable is exposed to the following tasks as an environment variable. When issecret is set to true, the value of the variable will be saved as secret and masked out from log. Secret variables are not passed into tasks as environment variables and must be passed as inputs.
Examples:
##vso[task.setvariable variable=testvar;]testvalue
##vso[task.setvariable variable=testvar;issecret=true;]testvalue
I would like to pass hostname parameter which is declared at Script Content to Predefined Parameter in Trigger/calls on build other project where my child project will receive parameter from the parent project.My code looks like this in Script Content:
`machine_name="$(hostname)"`
So in order to pass my parameter to the child project I declared:
host_name=${machinename}
in Script Content .But when I check in my child project it display as ${machinename} which is not I want .Can someone tell me what am I missing or what step that I done wrong or is there any way to perform this ?
Try using ENv Inject plugin, all you need to do is below:
Your script should contain below step:
machine_name="$(hostname)" > inject.txt
Now use Inject environment variables build step and in
property file path give inject.txt
what's the use?
By this step, now you machine_name variable holds the hostname value throughout the job.
Next, in your Parameter in Trigger/calls on build other project
host_name=${machine_name}
And use the same variable in child job.
I think there is no need for multiple assignments above, but still you can try this.
'_' was missing. host_name=$machine_name.
you cannot set or pass the parameter value from the script o/p. either make it as env variable using groovy or set in to property file & read.
How can I make generic parameters in jenkins that will be updated automatically for example I want to be able to create a parameter which hold today's date and it will be update automatically and not manually ?
thanks!
You might want to use EnvInject.
Setup your job and then add a build step "Inject envornment variables" from a file with an absolute path or the path relative to current job's workspace, which will contain something like:
DATE_VARIABLE="20150708"
OTHER_OPTIONAL_VARIABLE="value"
In previous execute shell step you may for example do:
echo "DATE_VARIABLE="`date +"%d%m%Y"` > env_inject.txt
After all that you don't need Parameters for a build, since you will have the needed parameter injected as an environment variable.