DevOps Shack

350 Azure DevOps Interview Q&A With . . .

.. Examples, Sample Code & Use-cases
1. What is Azure DevOps and its main components?

Answer: Azure DevOps is a cloud-based platform from Microsoft that offers a complete set of tools
for software development and deployment. It integrates features for managing the entire lifecycle of
software, from planning to deployment, in a single environment.

Key Components of Azure DevOps:

1. Azure Repos: Version control system for managing code.

2. Azure Pipelines: CI/CD pipelines to automate code building, testing, and deployment.

3. Azure Boards: Project management tools, including Kanban and Scrum boards.

4. Azure Test Plans: Manual and automated testing tools.

5. Azure Artifacts: Package management for sharing code libraries across teams.

Example:

• In a real-world scenario, a team could use Azure Repos for version control, Azure Pipelines to
automate testing and deployment, and Azure Boards to track work items for agile project
management.

2. Explain Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) in Azure DevOps.

Answer: Continuous Integration (CI): CI is the practice of frequently merging code changes into the
main branch and automatically building and testing the application. It ensures that code changes are
integrated smoothly and any errors are detected early.

Continuous Deployment (CD): CD extends CI by automatically deploying the integrated and tested
code to a production or staging environment, minimizing manual intervention.

Example:

• In Azure Pipelines, developers configure a CI pipeline where code is automatically tested

every time it’s committed. After testing, a CD pipeline is triggered to deploy the code to a
production Kubernetes cluster, automating the entire release process.
3. What is the difference between a Build Pipeline and a Release Pipeline in Azure DevOps?

Answer: Build Pipeline: A build pipeline in Azure DevOps focuses on automating the process of
compiling code, running unit tests, and creating packages or artifacts that can be deployed. It
typically runs every time new code is committed to the repository.

Release Pipeline: A release pipeline is used for deploying the artifacts generated from the build
pipeline to various environments such as development, staging, and production. It involves stages
and approvals to ensure controlled and safe deployment.

Example:

• A company may set up a build pipeline that compiles code into Docker images and pushes
them to a container registry. The release pipeline could then deploy these images to AKS
(Azure Kubernetes Service) in different stages (e.g., development, QA, production).

4. How does Azure DevOps support Agile methodologies like Scrum or Kanban?

Answer: Azure DevOps supports Agile methodologies through Azure Boards, which allows teams to
plan, track, and discuss work across different Agile frameworks such as Scrum and Kanban.

Scrum in Azure DevOps:

• Teams can create sprints and assign work items to specific iterations.

• Track tasks using backlog and sprint boards.

• Manage product and sprint burndown charts to track progress.

Kanban in Azure DevOps:

• Teams can use the Kanban board to manage continuous workflow with work-in-progress
limits.

• Azure Boards provide visualization of task flow from "To Do" to "Done."

Example:

• A DevOps team using Scrum can manage their work in 2-week sprints in Azure Boards, track
the progress of tasks, and use built-in analytics to monitor sprint completion.

5. How would you implement Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Azure DevOps?

Answer: Infrastructure as Code (IaC) allows for managing and provisioning computing infrastructure
through code, ensuring consistency and version control.

In Azure DevOps, IaC can be implemented using tools like ARM templates, Terraform, or Ansible.
These tools can be integrated into pipelines for automating infrastructure provisioning.

Example:
 • Using Terraform scripts stored in Azure Repos, you can create an Azure Pipeline that runs the
Terraform plan and apply commands. This will automatically provision Azure resources (like
VMs or storage) whenever code changes are pushed to the repository.

6. How can you set up security and compliance checks in an Azure DevOps pipeline?

Answer: Security and compliance can be ensured by integrating various checks and tools into the
pipeline. You can enforce code quality, security, and compliance policies at different stages of the
pipeline.

Example of Security Checks:

1. Static Code Analysis: Tools like SonarQube or Fortify can be integrated into the pipeline to
scan the code for vulnerabilities.

2. Dependency Scanning: Use tools like WhiteSource or OWASP Dependency-Check to ensure

there are no vulnerabilities in third-party libraries.

3. Infrastructure Security: Use Azure Policy to enforce infrastructure compliance, such as

ensuring all resources are deployed in the right regions or with the correct tagging.

Example:

• A CI pipeline could integrate SonarQube to run static code analysis on every commit and flag
security vulnerabilities. If vulnerabilities are found, the pipeline can be configured to fail until
they are fixed.

7. What are Service Connections in Azure DevOps, and why are they important?

Answer: A Service Connection in Azure DevOps is a secure way to authenticate and communicate
with external services (like Azure, Docker, GitHub, etc.) from your pipelines. It provides the
credentials or tokens required for pipelines to deploy artifacts, interact with cloud resources, or
integrate with third-party services.

Example:

• To deploy an application from Azure Pipelines to Azure Web Apps, you need to create a
Service Connection that provides the necessary credentials to access Azure. Once set up, the
pipeline can securely deploy your application without exposing sensitive credentials in code.

8. How do you integrate Azure DevOps with Kubernetes for CI/CD?

Answer: Integrating Azure DevOps with Kubernetes for CI/CD can be done using Azure Pipelines to
automate the build, testing, and deployment of containerized applications into a Kubernetes cluster.

Steps:

1. Create a Kubernetes Cluster: Set up a Kubernetes cluster, for example, using AKS (Azure
Kubernetes Service) or a self-hosted Kubernetes cluster.

2. Create a Dockerfile: Write a Dockerfile for your application, which defines how your
application should be containerized.
 3. Create Azure Pipelines YAML: Define a pipeline YAML file to build the Docker image, push it
to a container registry (e.g., Azure Container Registry), and deploy it to the Kubernetes
cluster.

4. Example YAML Pipeline Configuration:

yaml

Copy code

trigger:

branches:

include:

- main

jobs:

- job: Build

pool:

vmImage: 'ubuntu-latest'

steps:

- task: Docker@2

inputs:

command: 'buildAndPush'

repository: 'youracr.azurecr.io/your-app'

dockerfile: '**/Dockerfile'

containerRegistry: 'your-acr-service-connection'

tags: |

$(Build.BuildId)

- job: Deploy

pool:

vmImage: 'ubuntu-latest'

steps:

- task: Kubernetes@1

inputs:

connectionType: 'Kubernetes Service Connection'

kubernetesServiceConnection: '<service-connection-name>'

namespace: 'default'
 command: 'apply'

arguments: '-f deployment.yaml'

This pipeline will first build and push your Docker image to Azure Container Registry, and then deploy
the image to your Kubernetes cluster using kubectl.

Real-World Example: You are running a Node.js microservice that is containerized using Docker. The
microservice is deployed to AKS with a rolling update strategy in place. You use the Azure Pipeline to
automatically build a Docker image, push it to your container registry, and deploy it to the AKS
cluster whenever there’s a code change on the main branch.

9. What is a Service Connection in Azure DevOps, and how do you create it?

Answer: A Service Connection in Azure DevOps is used to securely store and manage the credentials
needed to connect your pipelines to external services like Azure, AWS, Docker registries, or
Kubernetes clusters.

Steps to Create a Service Connection:

1. Navigate to your Azure DevOps project.

2. Go to Project Settings > Service Connections.

3. Click on New Service Connection and choose the type of service (e.g., Azure Resource
Manager, Docker Registry, Kubernetes, etc.).

4. Provide the credentials and connection details (such as subscription ID, client ID, secret, etc.,
for Azure).

5. Once the service connection is set up, you can reference it in your YAML pipeline to
authenticate securely with the external service.

Example Use Case: You need to deploy your application to an AKS cluster from your pipeline. Instead
of storing sensitive credentials in your pipeline YAML file, you create a Kubernetes Service
Connection that securely stores your credentials. In the YAML pipeline, you reference the service
connection as shown in this example:

yaml

Copy code

- task: Kubernetes@1

inputs:

connectionType: 'Kubernetes Service Connection'

kubernetesServiceConnection: 'aks-connection'

namespace: 'default'

command: 'apply'

arguments: '-f deployment.yaml'

10. What is Blue-Green Deployment in Azure DevOps and how do you set it up?

Answer: Blue-Green Deployment is a deployment strategy where two environments (Blue and
Green) are used. One (Green) is live, while the other (Blue) is idle. When a new version of the
application is ready, it is deployed to the idle environment (Blue), and after successful testing, traffic
is switched from Green to Blue.

Steps to Set Up Blue-Green Deployment:

1. Create Two Environments (Blue & Green): You’ll need two identical environments—one will
host the production version (Green), and the other will be used for the new deployment
(Blue).

2. Configure Azure Pipelines: Set up a CI/CD pipeline that can deploy to both environments.
You can use Azure Traffic Manager to switch traffic between the two environments.

3. Update Pipeline YAML:

trigger:
branches:
include:
- main
jobs:
- deployment: BlueDeployment
environment: 'Blue'
strategy:
runOnce:
deploy:
steps:
- task: AzureRmWebAppDeployment@4
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
appName: '<your-app-blue>'
- deployment: GreenDeployment
environment: 'Green'
strategy:
runOnce:
deploy:
steps:
- task: AzureRmWebAppDeployment@4
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
appName: '<your-app-green>'

4. Switch Traffic: Use Azure Traffic Manager or Application Gateway to route traffic to the Blue
environment after successful deployment and testing.

Example: You are deploying a new version of an e-commerce application. Currently, the Green
environment is live. After deploying the new version to Blue, you run tests to ensure it works as
expected. Once everything looks good, you switch traffic from Green to Blue using Azure Traffic
Manager, making the Blue environment live.
11. How do you configure multi-stage pipelines in Azure DevOps?

Answer: Multi-stage pipelines in Azure DevOps allow you to break down the CI/CD pipeline into
multiple stages, such as build, test, and deploy, each representing a part of the CI/CD process.

Steps to Create a Multi-Stage Pipeline:

1. Define Stages in YAML: Each stage can have its own set of jobs and tasks.

2. Example YAML Configuration:

stages:
- stage: Build
jobs:
- job: Build
steps:
- script: echo "Building the application..."
- stage: Test
dependsOn: Build
jobs:
- job: Test
steps:
- script: echo "Running tests..."
- stage: Deploy
dependsOn: Test
jobs:
- job: Deploy
steps:
- script: echo "Deploying to production..."

Explanation:

• Build Stage: Compiles the code.

• Test Stage: Runs tests on the build outputs.

• Deploy Stage: Deploys the application to the target environment, but only after successful
testing.

Example Use Case: You are working on a web application with three environments: development,
QA, and production. The pipeline is configured to first build the code, then run automated tests, and
finally deploy it to the development environment. After QA approves, it moves to production,
ensuring a controlled and automated process for each stage.

12. What are the benefits of using YAML pipelines compared to classic pipelines in Azure DevOps?

Answer: YAML Pipelines offer several advantages over classic pipelines, particularly when it comes to
pipeline-as-code practices.
Benefits:

1. Pipeline as Code: YAML pipelines are stored in version control, meaning changes to the
pipeline can be tracked, reviewed, and rolled back if necessary.

2. Reusability: YAML pipelines allow for the use of templates, which make it easier to reuse
steps across multiple pipelines.

3. Branch-Specific Pipelines: Different branches can have different YAML pipeline definitions,
allowing more flexibility in managing feature branch deployments.

4. CI/CD in One Place: YAML allows you to define both CI and CD stages in a single file, whereas
classic pipelines separate build and release definitions.

Example: In a scenario where you have a large team working on different features, each feature
branch can have its own pipeline. The pipeline is defined in the same repository as the code, making
it easy to modify for specific needs without affecting the main pipeline.

13. How can you set up approval gates in an Azure DevOps release pipeline?

Answer: Approval gates in Azure DevOps are manual interventions that prevent a deployment from
proceeding until approved by designated approvers. This is especially useful in production
deployments to ensure a human is involved in critical stages.

Steps to Set Up Approval Gates:

1. Go to Releases > Edit Pipeline > Pre-deployment conditions.

2. Enable Pre-deployment approvals and assign approvers.

3. In YAML pipelines, you can define approval gates using environments:

stages:
- stage: Deploy
jobs:
- deployment: DeployToProduction
environment:
name: 'production'
approval:
pending:
approvals:
- users:
- '<approver-email>'

Example Use Case: You are deploying a financial application. Before deploying to production, the
pipeline pauses and waits for a manager to approve the deployment after verifying everything is
correct.

14. What are Retention Policies in Azure Pipelines, and how do they work?

Answer: Retention policies define how long to keep pipeline runs, artifacts, and logs before they are
automatically deleted. This helps manage disk space and keeps your pipeline storage clean.
Steps to Set Up Retention Policies:

1. Go to Pipelines > Settings > Retention.

2. Define the number of days or the number of runs to retain. You can specify different
retention policies for different pipeline branches.

Example: You configure a policy that keeps the last 10 successful runs and deletes everything older.
This keeps your pipeline storage optimized by not retaining unnecessary artifacts or logs.

15. What is SonarQube, and how do you integrate it with Azure DevOps?

Answer: SonarQube is a tool used for static code analysis to detect code quality issues,
vulnerabilities, and technical debt.

Steps to Integrate SonarQube with Azure DevOps:

1. Install the SonarQube extension from the Azure DevOps marketplace.

2. Add a new SonarQube task to your pipeline to analyze the code.

3. Example YAML Configuration:

steps:
- task: SonarQubePrepare@4
inputs:
SonarQube: 'SonarQube service connection'
projectKey: 'my-project'
- task: SonarQubeAnalyze@4
- task: SonarQubePublish@4
inputs:
pollingTimeoutSec: '300'

Example Use Case: You are working on a Java application. As part of your CI pipeline, you run
SonarQube to check for code smells, technical debt, and security vulnerabilities. The pipeline fails if
the code quality does not meet certain thresholds, ensuring that only high-quality code gets merged.

16. How can you enforce code reviews in Azure Repos using branch policies?

Answer: Branch policies in Azure Repos allow you to enforce code reviews before any pull requests
are merged into the main branch.

Steps to Set Up Code Review Enforcement:

1. Go to Repos > Branches > Branch Policies.

2. Set the minimum number of reviewers required.

3. Optionally, require that certain checks (e.g., build validation) pass before merging.

Example Use Case: You are working in a team where code quality is critical. You set up branch
policies requiring at least two team members to review and approve every pull request, and only
allow the merge if the latest build is successful.
17. How do you manage secrets in Azure DevOps pipelines?

Answer: Secrets, such as API keys or database connection strings, can be managed in Azure DevOps
by using pipeline variables with secret permissions or by integrating Azure Key Vault.

Steps:

1. Using Pipeline Variables: Go to the pipeline settings, add a new variable, and mark it as a
secret.

2. Using Azure Key Vault: You can connect your pipeline to Azure Key Vault using a service
connection and retrieve secrets during the pipeline execution.

steps:
- task: AzureKeyVault@1
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
keyVaultName: '<key-vault-name>'
secretsFilter: '<secret-name>'

Example: You are deploying a web application that requires a connection string to a database.
Instead of hardcoding the connection string in your YAML file, you store it in Azure Key Vault and
retrieve it securely during the pipeline run.

18. How can you monitor and troubleshoot pipelines in Azure DevOps?

Answer: Azure DevOps provides detailed logs for each pipeline run. You can monitor the status of
each task, view logs, and use built-in analytics to track the health and performance of your pipelines.

Steps to Monitor a Pipeline:

1. Go to the Pipelines section and click on the specific run.

2. View the logs for each step to see what actions were performed and if any errors occurred.

Example Use Case: You notice that your pipeline has failed at the testing stage. By reviewing the
detailed logs, you see that a test case failed due to a missing dependency. You update the pipeline to
ensure all necessary dependencies are installed before running tests.

19. How do you deploy to multiple environments using Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Deploying to multiple environments (e.g., development, staging, production) is commonly

done using pipeline stages. Each environment gets its own stage in the YAML file, and different
conditions or approvals can be set for each environment.

Example YAML:

stages:
- stage: Dev
jobs:
- job: DeployDev
 steps:
- script: echo "Deploying to Development..."
- stage: Staging
dependsOn: Dev
jobs:
- job: DeployStaging
steps:
- script: echo "Deploying to Staging..."
- stage: Production
dependsOn: Staging
jobs:
- job: DeployProd
steps:
- script: echo "Deploying to Production..."

Example Use Case: You have a new feature to release. It gets deployed to the development
environment first for testing by developers. Once approved, it is automatically deployed to staging
for further testing. After final approval, the feature is deployed to production, ensuring a controlled
rollout.

20. What are Deployment Strategies, and how do you implement them in Azure DevOps?

Answer: Deployment strategies define how new versions of applications are rolled out. Common
strategies include Canary Deployment, Blue-Green Deployment, and Rolling Deployment.

Example: Canary Deployment in YAML:

stages:
- stage: Deploy
jobs:
- deployment: CanaryDeploy
environment: 'Canary'
strategy:
canary:
increments: 5%
steps:
- task: AzureWebApp@1
inputs:
appName: '<app-name>'
package: '<artifact-location>'

Explanation:

• Canary Deployment: Gradually introduces the new version of the application to a small
subset of users before rolling it out to everyone. This reduces the risk of rolling out faulty
code.

• Rolling Deployment: Updates parts of the environment one at a time, ensuring there’s no
downtime.
Example Use Case: You are deploying a new feature to an e-commerce application. Using a canary
deployment strategy, you initially release the feature to only 5% of users. After confirming there are
no issues, you gradually increase the traffic until 100% of users are using the new version.

21. What is Azure Artifacts, and how can you use it in a CI/CD pipeline?

Answer: Azure Artifacts is a package management solution in Azure DevOps that allows teams to
create, host, and share packages (such as NuGet, npm, Maven, and Python packages) from both
public and private sources. It integrates seamlessly into CI/CD pipelines for managing dependencies.

Steps to Use Azure Artifacts in a Pipeline:

1. Create a Feed: Go to Azure Artifacts and create a new feed where you can store and share
your packages.

2. Publish Packages: Add a step in your build pipeline to publish packages (e.g., NuGet, npm) to
the feed.

3. Consume Packages: In your build pipeline, configure the feed to pull packages from the
Azure Artifacts feed.

Example YAML for Publishing a NuGet Package:

steps:
- task: NuGetCommand@2
inputs:
command: 'push'
packagesToPush: '**/*.nupkg'
nuGetFeedType: 'internal'
publishVstsFeed: '<your-feed-id>'

Example Use Case: You are developing multiple microservices, each of which has its own set of
dependencies. You store common code as NuGet packages in Azure Artifacts, so other microservices
can easily pull these dependencies from the feed during their build process.

22. What is the difference between trigger and pr in Azure Pipelines YAML?

Answer: Both trigger and pr are used to define when a pipeline should run in Azure Pipelines YAML,
but they serve different purposes.

• trigger: Defines which branches should trigger a pipeline run when changes are pushed.

• pr: Defines which branches should trigger a pipeline run when a pull request is created.

Example:

trigger:
branches:
include:
- main
pr:
branches:
include:
- feature/*

In this example:

• trigger will start the pipeline when changes are pushed to the main branch.

• pr will start the pipeline when a pull request is created from any branch that starts with
feature/.

Use Case: You are working on a project where every time code is committed to the main branch, the
pipeline should automatically build and deploy the application. However, when a developer opens a
pull request from a feature branch, the pipeline runs tests to verify the changes before merging.

23. How do you handle versioning in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Versioning in Azure Pipelines is important for tracking builds and ensuring consistent
deployments. It is commonly managed by updating the version number of the build artifacts (such as
Docker images, NuGet packages, etc.) and tagging them appropriately.

Methods for Versioning:

1. Incrementing Build Numbers: Use Azure Pipelines variables like $(Build.BuildId) or

$(Build.SourceBranchName) to automatically increment build numbers.

2. Git Tags: Use Git tags as part of the versioning strategy. For example, when merging into
main, you can tag the commit with a version number.

Example YAML for Versioning a Docker Image:

steps:
- task: Docker@2
inputs:
repository: 'youracr.azurecr.io/your-app'
command: 'buildAndPush'
tags: |
$(Build.BuildId)

In this example, the Docker image is tagged with the build ID, ensuring that each build produces a
uniquely versioned image.

Example Use Case: You are building a .NET application that generates a NuGet package. With each
successful build, the pipeline automatically increments the version number using a combination of
the build ID and the commit hash. This ensures that your NuGet feed only contains uniquely
versioned packages.

24. What is Release Management in Azure DevOps, and how do you use it?
Answer: Release Management in Azure DevOps is the process of automating the deployment of
applications to multiple environments (e.g., Dev, QA, Prod). It helps manage approvals, gates, and
conditions to ensure a controlled and automated release process.

How to Use Release Management:

1. Create a Release Pipeline: Define multiple stages representing environments (e.g.,

Development, Staging, Production).

2. Artifact Association: Associate artifacts generated from the build (e.g., Docker images,
binaries) with the release pipeline.

3. Deployments and Approvals: Set up automated deployment rules and manual approval
gates for each environment.

Example YAML for a Multi-Stage Release Pipeline:

stages:
- stage: DeployToDev
jobs:
- deployment: DevDeployment
environment: 'Development'
steps:
- script: echo "Deploying to Dev environment"
- stage: DeployToProd
dependsOn: DeployToDev
jobs:
- deployment: ProdDeployment
environment: 'Production'
steps:
- script: echo "Deploying to Production environment"

Example Use Case: You have a web application that needs to be deployed to both development and
production environments. The pipeline first deploys to development, runs automated tests, and
waits for manual approval before deploying to production.

25. How can you ensure that only specific builds are deployed to production?

Answer: To ensure that only specific builds are deployed to production, you can implement several
mechanisms in Azure DevOps:

1. Branch Policies: Ensure that production deployments only happen from specific branches
(e.g., main).

2. Approval Gates: Use manual approval gates before deploying to production. Only authorized
personnel can approve the release for production.

3. Artifact Filters: You can specify artifact filters in the pipeline to only deploy artifacts that
meet specific criteria, such as a successful build from the main branch.
Example:

trigger:
branches:
include:
- main
pr:
branches:
include:
- feature/*

Use Case: You have a policy in your team that only code merged into the main branch can be
deployed to production. Feature branches are deployed to staging for testing, but the pipeline is set
up so that only builds from main can proceed to production.

26. How do you handle database migrations in Azure DevOps pipelines?

Answer: Database migrations can be automated in Azure DevOps using pipeline tasks or custom
scripts. Tools like Entity Framework (for .NET) or Flyway can be integrated into the CI/CD pipeline to
apply migrations as part of the deployment process.

Steps for Handling Migrations:

1. Add Migration Scripts to Source Control: Ensure that migration scripts or migration tools are
versioned in the repository.

2. Run Migration During Deployment: Use a task or script to apply the migration before or
after the application is deployed.

Example:

steps:
- task: UseDotNet@2
inputs:
command: 'dotnet ef database update'

Example Use Case: You are deploying a new version of a .NET application that requires changes to
the database schema. As part of your release pipeline, you include a step to automatically apply
Entity Framework migrations, ensuring that the database schema is updated before the new
application version is deployed.

27. What is the concept of an Environment in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: An Environment in Azure Pipelines represents the deployment targets where your
applications are deployed. Environments typically correspond to the stages in your release process
(e.g., Development, Staging, Production).

Key Features:

1. Manual Approvals: Environments can require manual approvals before deployment

proceeds.
 2. Deployment History: Each environment has its own deployment history, making it easy to
track what has been deployed and when.

3. Secrets and Variables: Environment-specific variables can be defined, ensuring that sensitive
information (like API keys) is managed securely.

Example:

stages:
- stage: DeployToDev
environment: 'Development'
jobs:
- job: Deploy
steps:
- script: echo "Deploying to Development"

Example Use Case: You are deploying a microservice to different environments. Each environment
has its own configuration, such as connection strings or API keys. Azure Pipelines allows you to define
environment-specific variables and requires approvals before deploying to production.

28. How do you implement Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Azure DevOps?

Answer: Infrastructure as Code (IaC) can be implemented using tools like ARM Templates,
Terraform, or Bicep in Azure DevOps to automate the provisioning and management of
infrastructure.

Steps for Implementing IaC:

1. Create Infrastructure Definition: Define your infrastructure using an ARM Template,

Terraform, or Bicep script.

2. Set Up a Pipeline: Create an Azure Pipeline that runs your IaC tool (e.g., Terraform) to apply
the infrastructure changes.

Example YAML for Terraform:

steps:
- task: TerraformInstaller@0
- task: TerraformTaskV2@2
inputs:
command: 'apply'
workingDirectory: './terraform'
backendServiceName: '<service-connection>'

Example Use Case: You are setting up an AKS cluster for your application. Instead of manually
provisioning the resources in Azure, you write Terraform scripts that describe the cluster and use
Azure Pipelines to automatically create or update the resources in Azure whenever changes are
pushed to the repository.
29. What is a Deployment Slot, and how do you use it in Azure DevOps?

Answer: A Deployment Slot is a feature of Azure App Service that allows you to host different
versions of your application in separate slots (such as staging and production). This makes it easy to
swap between versions without downtime.

How to Use Deployment Slots:

1. Create a Deployment Slot: In Azure App Service, create a staging slot for your application.

2. Deploy to the Slot: Use Azure Pipelines to deploy to the staging slot, and then test the
application before swapping it with the production slot.

Example YAML for Deploying to a Slot:

steps:
- task: AzureWebApp@1
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
appName: '<app-name>'
deployToSlotOrASE: true
resourceGroupName: '<resource-group>'
slotName: 'staging'

Example Use Case: You have a web application running in production. To deploy a new version, you
first deploy it to a staging slot, test it there, and if everything works correctly, you swap the staging
slot with the production slot to make the new version live without any downtime.

30. How do you implement security scans in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Security scans can be integrated into Azure Pipelines using tools like WhiteSource, OWASP
ZAP, or SonarQube. These tools scan code for vulnerabilities or check for insecure dependencies as
part of the CI pipeline.

Steps for Implementing Security Scans:

1. Integrate a Security Tool: Add a task to the pipeline to run the security tool.

2. Fail the Pipeline on Vulnerabilities: Configure the pipeline to fail if vulnerabilities are
detected.

Example YAML for OWASP ZAP:

steps:
- task: OWASPZAP@2
inputs:
targetUrl: 'http://your-app-url'
failBuildOnError: true

Example Use Case: You are building a web application and want to ensure that no security
vulnerabilities are introduced. As part of the CI pipeline, you integrate OWASP ZAP to scan the
application for common security vulnerabilities like cross-site scripting (XSS) or SQL injection. If any
vulnerabilities are found, the pipeline fails, preventing the application from being deployed.

31. How do you use ARM templates in Azure DevOps to deploy resources to Azure?

Answer: ARM (Azure Resource Manager) templates are JSON files that define the infrastructure and
configuration for Azure resources. Using ARM templates in Azure DevOps allows you to automate the
deployment of resources to Azure.

Steps:

1. Create an ARM Template: Define the infrastructure as code using ARM templates, specifying
the resources you want to deploy (e.g., virtual machines, storage accounts).

2. Use an ARM Deployment Task in Azure Pipelines: Add a task to your pipeline to deploy the
ARM template.

Example YAML for ARM Deployment:

steps:
- task: AzureResourceGroupDeployment@2
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<your-service-connection>'
action: 'Create Or Update Resource Group'
resourceGroupName: '<resource-group-name>'
location: '<resource-location>'
templateLocation: 'Linked artifact'
csmFile: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)/azuredeploy.json'
csmParametersFile: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)/azuredeploy.parameters.json'

Example Use Case: You are building a microservices-based application where each microservice
requires its own virtual network and storage. Instead of manually creating these resources in the
Azure portal, you define an ARM template that provisions the infrastructure, and your Azure DevOps
pipeline automatically deploys the resources every time the pipeline runs.

32. What is Azure Policy, and how do you enforce it in your CI/CD pipeline?

Answer: Azure Policy helps you enforce compliance by setting rules for resources in Azure, such as
requiring specific tags or preventing deployments in certain regions. You can enforce Azure Policy in
your CI/CD pipeline by integrating it as part of your deployment process.

Steps to Enforce Azure Policy:

1. Define a Policy: In the Azure portal, create a policy that enforces certain rules (e.g., all
resources must have a specific tag).

2. Evaluate Policy Compliance in the Pipeline: You can use the Azure CLI or PowerShell task in
the pipeline to evaluate policy compliance.
Example:

steps:
- task: AzureCLI@2
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<your-service-connection>'
scriptType: 'ps'
scriptLocation: 'inlineScript'
inlineScript: 'az policy assignment list --query "[?policyDefinitionId==\'<policy-
id>\'].{name:name}"'

Example Use Case: Your organization requires that all resources deployed to Azure must have a cost
center tag for tracking billing. You create an Azure Policy that enforces this rule, and in your CI/CD
pipeline, you evaluate the policy after deployment to ensure compliance before moving to the next
stage.

33. How do you implement rolling deployments in Azure DevOps?

Answer: A rolling deployment updates parts of the application gradually, ensuring that some
instances remain available while the new version is being deployed. In Azure Pipelines, rolling
deployments can be implemented by using deployment strategies within the YAML configuration.

Steps for Implementing Rolling Deployments:

1. Define a Rolling Deployment Strategy: Use the rolling strategy in your YAML pipeline to
gradually update instances.

2. Specify Incremental Updates: Define how many instances are updated at a time.

Example YAML for Rolling Deployment:

stages:
- stage: Deploy
jobs:
- deployment: RollingDeploy
environment: 'Production'
strategy:
rolling:
maxParallel: 2
steps:
- script: echo "Deploying to Production"

Example Use Case: You are deploying a web service with multiple instances running behind a load
balancer. Instead of deploying the new version to all instances at once, you use a rolling deployment
strategy, updating two instances at a time. This ensures that the service remains available during the
deployment.

34. What is a release gate in Azure Pipelines, and how do you use it?
Answer: A release gate in Azure Pipelines is a condition that must be met before a deployment can
proceed to the next stage. Gates can be used to check external factors such as monitoring metrics,
service health, or approval requirements.

Steps to Set Up a Release Gate:

1. Enable Release Gates: In the release pipeline, go to pre-deployment conditions and enable
gates.

2. Configure Gates: You can configure gates to check for approvals, service health, or even
invoke custom REST APIs.

Example of Using Gates:

preDeployApprovals:
- users:
- '<email>'
gates:
evaluationOptions:
timeout: '5m'
samplingInterval: '1m'
gates:
- query:
type: 'AzureMonitor'
condition: 'all failures < 5%'

Example Use Case: You are deploying an update to a production environment. Before deployment,
you set up a release gate to check the error rate using Azure Monitor. If the error rate exceeds 5%,
the deployment is paused to prevent potential issues from affecting the production system.

35. How do you configure task groups in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Task groups in Azure Pipelines allow you to group a set of tasks that can be reused across
multiple pipelines, improving efficiency and maintainability.

Steps to Create a Task Group:

1. Create a Task Group: In the pipeline editor, select a group of tasks, right-click, and choose
Create Task Group.

2. Reuse the Task Group: You can now add this task group to multiple pipelines, ensuring
consistency.

Example Use Case: You have several pipelines that deploy to different environments, but they all
require the same set of tasks for setting up the environment (e.g., installing dependencies,
configuring services). Instead of defining these tasks in every pipeline, you create a task group that
can be reused in each pipeline, reducing duplication.

36. What is a pipeline artifact, and how do you use it in Azure Pipelines?
Answer: A pipeline artifact is an output (such as build results, binaries, Docker images, or logs)
generated by a pipeline, which can be passed between stages or used for further processing.

Steps to Use Pipeline Artifacts:

1. Create an Artifact: In the build stage, publish the outputs as artifacts using the
PublishPipelineArtifact task.

2. Consume the Artifact: In subsequent stages, use the DownloadPipelineArtifact task to

retrieve the artifact for further steps.

Example YAML for Artifacts:

steps:
- task: PublishPipelineArtifact@1
inputs:
targetPath: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)'
artifactName: 'myartifact'

Example Use Case: You are building a web application, and the build pipeline generates binaries and
logs. After the build, these artifacts are stored and used in subsequent stages for deployment or
further testing.

37. How do you integrate SonarQube for code quality checks in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: SonarQube is a tool used for static code analysis to identify code quality issues and
vulnerabilities. It can be integrated into Azure Pipelines to automatically scan your code and provide
feedback on quality and security issues.

Steps to Integrate SonarQube:

1. Install the SonarQube Extension: Install the SonarQube extension from the Azure DevOps
marketplace.

2. Add SonarQube Tasks to the Pipeline: Add tasks for preparing, analyzing, and publishing
results to SonarQube.

Example YAML for SonarQube Integration:

steps:
- task: SonarQubePrepare@4
inputs:
SonarQube: 'SonarQube service connection'
projectKey: 'my-project'
- task: SonarQubeAnalyze@4
- task: SonarQubePublish@4
inputs:
pollingTimeoutSec: '300'

Example Use Case: You are working on a Java application, and as part of your CI pipeline, SonarQube
runs static analysis on the codebase. If it detects any critical vulnerabilities, the pipeline fails,
ensuring that only high-quality and secure code is deployed.
38. How do you manage multiple pipeline environments in Azure DevOps?

Answer: Environments in Azure Pipelines represent the different stages where your code is
deployed, such as development, staging, and production. You can configure different environments
with their own deployment conditions, variables, and approvals.

Steps to Manage Multiple Environments:

1. Define Environments: Create different environments for each stage (e.g., Development,
Staging, Production).

2. Set Deployment Conditions: Define which branches or conditions trigger deployments to

each environment.

Example YAML for Multiple Environments:

stages:
- stage: DeployToDev
environment: 'Development'
jobs:
- job: Deploy
steps:
- script: echo "Deploying to Development"
- stage: DeployToProd
environment: 'Production'
dependsOn: DeployToDev
jobs:
- job: Deploy
steps:
- script: echo "Deploying to Production"

Example Use Case: You have a web application that needs to be deployed to different environments
for testing and production. Each environment has different configuration variables and requires
approval before deployment. Azure Pipelines allows you to manage these environments and enforce
approvals and conditions at each stage.

39. How do you create reusable pipeline templates in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Pipeline templates in Azure DevOps allow you to create reusable sections of pipeline code
that can be referenced in multiple pipelines. This helps reduce duplication and improve consistency.

Steps to Create Reusable Templates:

1. Create a Template File: Define a pipeline template in a separate YAML file.

2. Reference the Template: In other pipelines, use the template keyword to reference the
template file.
Example Template (build-template.yaml):

parameters:
- name: buildConfiguration
type: string
default: 'Release'

steps:
- script: echo "Building in $(buildConfiguration) mode"

Example Pipeline Using the Template:

stages:
- stage: Build
jobs:
- template: build-template.yaml
parameters:
buildConfiguration: 'Debug'

Example Use Case: You have multiple pipelines that perform similar build steps but with slight
variations (e.g., different build configurations). Instead of copying the same steps into each pipeline,
you create a reusable build template that can be parameterized, ensuring consistency and reducing
maintenance overhead.

40. How do you configure deployment approvals in Azure DevOps?

Answer: Deployment approvals ensure that deployments to certain environments (such as

production) require manual approval before proceeding. This is often used to prevent unintended
deployments to critical environments.

Steps to Configure Approvals:

1. Set Up Approvals in Environments: In the release pipeline, go to the environment and set up
pre-deployment approvals.

2. Assign Approvers: Specify which users or groups are authorized to approve deployments.

Example YAML for Approvals:

stages:
- stage: Deploy
jobs:
- deployment: Production
environment:
name: 'Production'
approval:
pending:
approvals:
- users:
- '<email>'
Example Use Case: You are deploying a financial application, and before deploying to the production
environment, you require manual approval from the project manager. This ensures that all
stakeholders are aware of the deployment before it goes live.

41. How do you use Azure Key Vault to manage secrets in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Key Vault is a service that securely stores and manages sensitive information such as
API keys, passwords, and certificates. Azure Pipelines can retrieve secrets from Key Vault during a
pipeline run, ensuring that sensitive data is not exposed in the pipeline definition.

Steps to Use Azure Key Vault in Pipelines:

1. Create a Service Connection to Key Vault: In Azure DevOps, create a service connection that
links to your Azure Key Vault.

2. Retrieve Secrets in the Pipeline: Use the AzureKeyVault task to retrieve secrets from Key
Vault and inject them into the pipeline.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: AzureKeyVault@1
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
keyVaultName: '<key-vault-name>'
secretsFilter: '<secret-name>'

Example Use Case: You are deploying a web application that requires a database connection string.
Instead of hardcoding the connection string in the pipeline, you store it securely in Azure Key Vault.
The pipeline retrieves the secret from Key Vault during the deployment process, ensuring that
sensitive information is not exposed in logs or the YAML file.

42. How do you integrate Azure Monitor with Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Monitor is a monitoring service that provides real-time data and insights into your
Azure resources. You can integrate Azure Monitor with Azure Pipelines to track performance, error
rates, and other metrics, and use this data to control pipeline execution (e.g., halt deployment if
error rates are too high).

Steps to Integrate Azure Monitor:

1. Set Up Azure Monitor Alerts: Create alerts in Azure Monitor to track metrics such as CPU
usage, error rates, or request latency.

2. Configure Gates in Azure Pipelines: Use release gates to check the metrics in Azure Monitor
before proceeding with the deployment.

Example YAML for Azure Monitor Integration:

stages:
- stage: Deploy
jobs:
 - deployment: ProdDeployment
environment:
name: 'Production'
approval:
gates:
preDeploy:
- azureMonitor:
condition: 'avg(failureRate) < 0.05'

Example Use Case: You are deploying a microservice to production. Before allowing the deployment
to complete, Azure Pipelines checks the error rate in Azure Monitor. If the error rate exceeds a
threshold, the pipeline pauses to prevent the deployment from going live, reducing the risk of
introducing further issues.

43. What is GitFlow, and how do you implement it in Azure DevOps?

Answer: GitFlow is a branching model that defines a clear process for managing feature
development, bug fixes, and releases. In Azure DevOps, GitFlow can be implemented using branching
policies and pipelines.

Steps to Implement GitFlow:

1. Define Branching Strategy: Use feature branches for new development, develop for
integration, and master for production-ready code.

2. Set Up CI/CD Pipelines: Configure different pipelines for feature branches (for testing) and
master (for production deployment).

Example Use Case: You have a web application project where multiple developers are working on
different features. Each developer creates a feature branch from develop. Once their feature is
complete, it is merged into develop, and a CI pipeline runs tests. When it’s time for a release, the
master branch is updated and deployed to production.

44. How do you manage pipeline variables in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Pipeline variables in Azure Pipelines are used to pass values between tasks and stages. They
can be defined at the pipeline level, as part of a template, or manually entered during pipeline
execution.

Steps to Manage Variables:

1. Define Variables in YAML: Variables can be defined directly in the YAML file or passed
through templates.

2. Use Variables in Tasks: Reference the variables using the $(variableName) syntax.

Example YAML for Variables:

variables:
- name: buildConfiguration
value: 'Release'
steps:
- script: echo "Building in $(buildConfiguration) mode"
Example Use Case: You are building a multi-environment application, and each environment requires
a different database connection string. You define these connection strings as pipeline variables,
ensuring that the correct value is used depending on the target environment.

45. What is YAML Schema in Azure Pipelines, and how do you use it?

Answer: The YAML schema in Azure Pipelines defines the structure and syntax of a pipeline YAML
file. It specifies how stages, jobs, steps, and tasks should be organized and validated.

Steps to Use YAML Schema:

1. Follow the Schema Structure: The YAML file must follow the correct schema for defining
triggers, stages, jobs, and steps.

2. Use Built-In Templates: Azure Pipelines provides built-in templates for common scenarios to
ensure you follow the correct schema.

Example YAML Schema:

trigger:
branches:
include:
- main

stages:
- stage: Build
jobs:
- job: BuildJob
steps:
- script: echo "Building..."

Example Use Case: You are defining a multi-stage pipeline for a Java application. The YAML schema
helps ensure that the stages, jobs, and steps are correctly organized and validated, reducing the risk
of pipeline errors.

46. How do you handle branching strategies for CI/CD in Azure DevOps?

Answer: Branching strategies in CI/CD define how code is managed in different branches (e.g.,
feature branches, develop branch, release branches). Azure DevOps supports branching strategies
like GitFlow and trunk-based development.

Steps to Implement Branching Strategies:

1. Use Feature Branches: Developers work on feature branches, and once complete, merge
them into develop.
 2. Set Up Branch Policies: Use branch policies to enforce code reviews and build validation
before merging.

Example Use Case: You have a project with multiple developers. Each developer works on a feature
branch and opens a pull request to merge changes into develop. Once the changes are merged and
tested, the develop branch is merged into master, triggering the deployment to production.

47. How do you configure pipeline triggers for specific branches in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Pipeline triggers define when a pipeline should run based on code changes. In Azure
Pipelines, you can configure triggers to run for specific branches or even specific paths within the
repository.

Steps to Configure Branch Triggers:

1. Use the trigger Keyword: In the YAML pipeline, use the trigger keyword to specify which
branches should trigger the pipeline.

2. Exclude Branches or Paths: You can exclude certain branches or paths from triggering the
pipeline.

Example YAML:

trigger:
branches:
include:
- main
exclude:
- feature/*

Example Use Case: You are working on a project where changes to the main branch should
automatically trigger a build and deployment. However, changes to feature branches should not
trigger the pipeline. You configure the pipeline to only trigger for the main branch.

48. How do you implement CI for Docker applications in Azure DevOps?

Answer: Continuous Integration (CI) for Docker applications in Azure DevOps involves building
Docker images from your application code, running tests, and pushing the images to a container
registry.

Steps to Implement CI for Docker:

1. Create a Dockerfile: Define how to build the Docker image in a Dockerfile.

2. Set Up a CI Pipeline: Use the Docker@2 task in Azure Pipelines to build and push the Docker
image.

Example YAML:
steps:
- task: Docker@2
inputs:
repository: 'your-container-registry/your-app'
command: 'buildAndPush'
Dockerfile: '**/Dockerfile'
containerRegistry: '<service-connection>'
tags: |
$(Build.BuildId)

Example Use Case: You are building a microservice that runs in a Docker container. As part of the CI
process, every time you push changes to the repository, Azure Pipelines builds the Docker image,
runs tests, and pushes the image to Azure Container Registry (ACR), ensuring the latest image is
ready for deployment.

49. What is Canary Deployment in Azure DevOps, and how do you implement it?

Answer: Canary Deployment is a strategy where a new version of an application is released to a

small subset of users before rolling it out to the entire user base. This allows you to test the new
version in production with minimal risk.

Steps to Implement Canary Deployment:

1. Deploy to a Subset of Users: Deploy the new version to a subset of users or instances while
keeping the previous version running for the rest.

2. Gradually Increase Traffic: As confidence in the new version grows, gradually increase the
percentage of traffic directed to it.

Example YAML:

stages:
- stage: CanaryDeployment
jobs:
- deployment: Canary
strategy:
canary:
increments: 10%
maxParallel: 5

Example Use Case: You are deploying a new version of a web application to production. Instead of
deploying it to all users at once, you use a canary deployment strategy to gradually release the new
version to 10% of users. After monitoring the application for errors and performance issues, you
increase the percentage of traffic until the new version is rolled out to all users.

50. How do you implement conditional tasks in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Conditional tasks in Azure Pipelines allow you to control whether certain tasks or steps are
executed based on conditions such as branch, environment, or the outcome of previous tasks.
Steps to Implement Conditional Tasks:

1. Use the condition Keyword: Add the condition keyword to a task to specify when it should
be executed.

2. Define Conditions Based on Variables or Previous Steps: Conditions can check variables or
the outcome of previous tasks.

Example YAML:

steps:
- script: echo "Running this step only on main branch"
condition: eq(variables['Build.SourceBranch'], 'refs/heads/main')

Example Use Case: You are running a CI pipeline where you want certain tasks (such as deployments)
to only run when the pipeline is triggered by the main branch. Other branches should only run tests
and not proceed to deployment. You use conditional tasks to control which steps are executed based
on the branch.

51. How do you use the checkout step in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: The checkout step in Azure Pipelines defines how the source code is retrieved during the
pipeline execution. By default, Azure Pipelines automatically checks out the code in the repository
where the pipeline is defined, but you can customize the behavior or check out multiple repositories.

Steps to Use checkout:

1. Single Repository Checkout: You can use the checkout step to control how the primary
repository is checked out, including depth of history and submodules.

2. Multiple Repositories Checkout: You can check out multiple repositories in a single pipeline,
useful when your project relies on other repositories.

Example YAML:

steps:
- checkout: self # Checkout the current repository
- checkout: git://OtherProject/repo # Checkout another repository

Example Use Case: You are working on a project that depends on libraries or modules from another
repository. In your CI pipeline, you use the checkout step to pull the code from both the current
repository and the external repository to compile and build the project.

52. How do you handle long-running tasks in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Long-running tasks in Azure Pipelines may cause timeouts or resource issues. You can
manage these tasks by breaking them down into smaller, more manageable jobs or configuring
timeout settings to handle lengthy operations.

Steps for Handling Long-Running Tasks:

 1. Increase Timeout: You can adjust the timeout for individual tasks or jobs in your pipeline.

2. Parallel Execution: Break large jobs into smaller, parallelizable tasks to improve execution
speed.

Example YAML:

steps:
- script: echo "Running a long task"
timeoutInMinutes: 120 # Set a custom timeout for the task
Example Use Case: You have a large dataset processing task that can take hours to complete. Instead
of letting the task fail due to timeout, you configure the pipeline with a custom timeout and ensure
the job completes successfully even if it runs for a long period.

53. What are pipeline triggers, and how do you configure them?

Answer: Pipeline triggers define when a pipeline should automatically run. Triggers can be based on
events such as changes in a branch, schedule, or completion of another pipeline.

Types of Triggers:

1. Branch Trigger: Starts the pipeline when changes are pushed to specific branches.

2. Scheduled Trigger: Runs the pipeline at specific intervals, regardless of changes.

3. Pipeline Trigger: Starts a pipeline after another pipeline completes.

Example YAML for Branch Trigger:

trigger:
branches:
include:
- main
- develop
Example Use Case: You have a build pipeline that should run every time code is pushed to the main
or develop branches. You configure a branch trigger to automatically start the pipeline whenever
there are changes to these branches, ensuring continuous integration.

54. How do you use deployment conditions in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Deployment conditions allow you to control when and how deployments are triggered in
Azure Pipelines. You can use conditions based on environment variables, stages, or outcomes from
previous tasks.

Steps to Use Deployment Conditions:

1. Use the condition Keyword: Add the condition keyword to control when the deployment
occurs.

2. Control Based on Variables or Previous Outcomes: Conditions can check variables or

whether previous steps succeeded or failed.

Example YAML:
stages:
- stage: Deploy
jobs:
- job: DeployToProd
condition: eq(variables['Build.SourceBranch'], 'refs/heads/main')

Example Use Case: You are deploying a service to production, but you only want the deployment to
run when the pipeline is triggered by the main branch. Using deployment conditions, you ensure the
deployment only happens when the branch is main, preventing unintended deployments.

55. What is the queue step in Azure Pipelines, and when should you use it?

Answer: The queue step in Azure Pipelines controls which agent pool and environment the pipeline
runs on. It allows you to specify the types of machines (such as Microsoft-hosted or self-hosted
agents) that should execute the tasks in the pipeline.

Steps to Use queue:

1. Choose an Agent Pool: Specify which agent pool or specific agents to use.

2. Control Agent Demands: Define specific agent capabilities that the job requires.

Example YAML:

jobs:
- job: Build
pool:
vmImage: 'ubuntu-latest' # Specify the agent pool or image to use

Example Use Case: You are working on a cross-platform project and need to build your application
on different operating systems (Windows, Linux). By using the queue step, you can specify different
agent pools for each platform, ensuring the build is executed on the appropriate system.

56. How do you use the dependsOn keyword in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: The dependsOn keyword in Azure Pipelines defines dependencies between jobs or stages,
controlling the order of execution. Jobs or stages specified in dependsOn must complete before the
dependent stage or job runs.

Steps to Use dependsOn:

1. Define Dependencies: Specify which jobs or stages a job depends on.

2. Control Execution Flow: Use dependsOn to ensure proper sequencing of tasks or stages.

Example YAML:

stages:
- stage: Build
jobs:
- job: BuildJob
- stage: Deploy
 dependsOn: Build
jobs:
- job: DeployJob

Example Use Case: You are building a multi-stage pipeline that compiles code in the Build stage and
deploys it in the Deploy stage. By using dependsOn, you ensure that the deployment only happens
after the build is successful, preventing premature deployment.

57. What is the purpose of job in Azure Pipelines, and how is it used?

Answer: A job in Azure Pipelines represents a set of steps that run on an agent. Each job runs
independently, and jobs can run sequentially or in parallel.

Steps to Use a job:

1. Define Jobs in Stages: You can define one or more jobs in each stage of your pipeline.

2. Parallel Execution: By default, jobs in the same stage run in parallel unless dependencies are
defined.

Example YAML:

stages:
- stage: Build
jobs:
- job: BuildApp
steps:
- script: echo "Building the app..."

Example Use Case: You are creating a pipeline to build and test a Node.js application. In the Build
stage, you define multiple jobs: one for building the application and another for running unit tests.
These jobs can run in parallel, speeding up the pipeline execution.

58. What is the steps keyword in Azure Pipelines, and how is it used?

Answer: The steps keyword in Azure Pipelines defines the sequence of actions or tasks to be
executed within a job. Each step represents a single action, such as running a script, copying files, or
deploying an application.

Steps to Use the steps Keyword:

1. Define Actions Within a Job: Specify the steps to be taken in each job.

2. Different Step Types: You can use built-in tasks, scripts, or custom steps.

Example YAML:

jobs:
- job: Build
steps:
- script: echo "Building the app..."
- task: PublishPipelineArtifact@1
 inputs:
targetPath: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)'
artifactName: 'drop'
Example Use Case: You are working on a Python application, and in your pipeline, you have a build
job that compiles the application, runs unit tests, and publishes the results. The steps keyword
defines the sequence in which these actions occur.

59. How do you handle pipeline artifacts between jobs in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Pipeline artifacts allow you to pass files between different jobs or stages in a pipeline.
Artefacts can be files, build outputs, logs, or other data that one job produces and another job
consumes.

Steps to Handle Artifacts:

1. Publish Artifacts: Use the PublishPipelineArtifact task to store artifacts.

2. Download Artifacts: Use the DownloadPipelineArtifact task to retrieve the artifacts in

another job or stage.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: PublishPipelineArtifact@1
inputs:
targetPath: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)'
artifactName: 'drop'

steps:
- task: DownloadPipelineArtifact@2
inputs:
artifactName: 'drop'
targetPath: '$(Pipeline.Workspace)'

Example Use Case: You are building a .NET Core application, and in the first job, you compile the
application and store the build outputs as artifacts. In a later job, you download the artifacts to
deploy them to a production server. Artifacts allow the pipeline to pass files between jobs efficiently.

60. How do you add manual intervention tasks in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Manual intervention tasks are used to pause the execution of a pipeline, requiring a human
to review and approve before the pipeline proceeds. This is useful in critical stages such as
production deployments.

Steps to Add Manual Intervention:

1. Use the ManualValidation Task: Insert a manual validation task at the required stage of the
pipeline.

2. Configure Approvers: Define which users or groups can approve or reject the manual
intervention.
Example YAML:

jobs:
- job: ManualApproval
steps:
- task: ManualValidation@0
inputs:
instructions: 'Approve to proceed to production deployment'
onTimeout: 'reject'
timeoutInMinutes: 30

Example Use Case: You are deploying an application to production, but you want the deployment to
require approval from the DevOps manager before proceeding. A manual intervention task is
inserted before the production deployment, pausing the pipeline until the manager approves it.

61. How do you use environment-specific variables in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Environment-specific variables allow you to set different values for variables depending on
the deployment environment (e.g., development, staging, production). These variables can be used
to control configuration, credentials, and other environment-specific settings.

Steps to Use Environment-Specific Variables:

1. Define Variables in Each Environment: Set up different variables for each environment in
your YAML file or pipeline settings.

2. Use Variables in Steps: Reference these variables in the steps to customize the behavior for
each environment.

Example YAML:

stages:
- stage: DeployToDev
variables:
connectionString: 'Server=devdb;Database=mydb;User Id=devuser;'
- stage: DeployToProd
variables:
connectionString: 'Server=proddb;Database=mydb;User Id=produser;'

Example Use Case: You are deploying a web application that requires different database connection
strings in the development and production environments. By using environment-specific variables,
you ensure that the correct connection string is used for each environment, preventing accidental
use of production data in development.

62. How do you use secure files in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Secure files in Azure Pipelines are used to store sensitive files such as certificates,
provisioning profiles, or private keys. These files can be used in the pipeline without exposing their
contents.
Steps to Use Secure Files:

1. Upload Secure Files: Upload the sensitive file to the Azure DevOps secure files library.

2. Use Secure Files in Pipeline: Use the DownloadSecureFile task to retrieve the secure file
during pipeline execution.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: DownloadSecureFile@1
inputs:
secureFile: 'myCertificate.pfx'

Example Use Case: You are deploying a web application that requires an SSL certificate for secure
communication. You upload the certificate as a secure file and configure the pipeline to retrieve and
use the certificate during deployment, ensuring the certificate is handled securely.

63. What is pipeline caching, and how do you implement it in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Pipeline caching allows you to store reusable data (such as dependencies, tools, or libraries)
between pipeline runs, improving performance by avoiding redundant downloads or builds.

Steps to Implement Pipeline Caching:

1. Use the Cache Task: Define what files or directories to cache and specify a cache key that
determines when the cache should be reused.

2. Restore Cache: On subsequent runs, the cache is restored based on the cache key.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: Cache@2
inputs:
key: 'npm | "$(Agent.OS)" | package-lock.json'
path: $(Pipeline.Workspace)/.npm
restoreKeys: 'npm | "$(Agent.OS)"'

Example Use Case: You are running a Node.js application, and each pipeline run downloads
dependencies using npm install, which can be slow. By implementing pipeline caching, the
node_modules folder is cached between runs, reducing the time spent downloading dependencies
on subsequent builds.

64. What is Azure DevOps Pipelines matrix strategy, and how do you use it?
Answer: A matrix strategy in Azure Pipelines allows you to run jobs with different combinations of
variables, such as different environments, configurations, or platforms. This is useful for testing
across multiple setups simultaneously.

Steps to Use Matrix Strategy:

1. Define the Matrix: In the job definition, specify different combinations of values for the
matrix.

2. Parallel Execution: Azure Pipelines will run a separate job for each combination in the
matrix.

Example YAML:

jobs:
- job: TestMatrix
strategy:
matrix:
linux:
vmImage: 'ubuntu-latest'
windows:
vmImage: 'windows-latest'
steps:
- script: echo "Running on $(vmImage)"

Example Use Case: You are developing a cross-platform application that needs to be tested on both
Windows and Linux environments. By using the matrix strategy, the pipeline can automatically create
parallel jobs to run tests on both platforms simultaneously, ensuring compatibility across systems.

65. How do you handle pipeline failures in Azure DevOps?

Answer: Handling pipeline failures in Azure DevOps involves diagnosing the cause of the failure,
implementing retries, and adding conditions to control how the pipeline reacts to failures.

Steps to Handle Failures:

1. Analyze Logs: Review the detailed logs provided by Azure Pipelines to identify the root cause
of the failure.

2. Add Retries: You can configure tasks to retry on failure, reducing the impact of transient
issues.

3. Use Conditions: Use the condition keyword to specify what happens when a task fails (e.g.,
continue or stop the pipeline).

Example YAML with Retry:

steps:
- script: echo "Running a flaky step..."
continueOnError: true
retryCount: 3
Example Use Case: You are running a deployment step that occasionally fails due to temporary
network issues. Instead of failing the entire pipeline on the first failure, you configure the step to
retry up to three times before giving up. This increases the resilience of your pipeline and reduces
false failures.

66. How do you use Azure Pipelines templates for code reuse?

Answer: Azure Pipelines templates allow you to define reusable sections of pipeline code that can
be shared across multiple pipelines. This promotes DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself) principles, making
pipeline management easier.

Steps to Use Templates:

1. Create a Template: Define a reusable pipeline section in a separate YAML file.

2. Reference the Template: Use the template keyword to include the template in other
pipelines.

Example Template (build-template.yaml):

parameters:
- name: buildConfiguration
type: string
default: 'Release'

steps:
- script: echo "Building in $(buildConfiguration) mode"

Example Pipeline Using the Template:

stages:
- stage: Build
jobs:
- template: build-template.yaml
parameters:
buildConfiguration: 'Debug'

Example Use Case: You have multiple applications that require similar build processes, such as
setting up the environment, running tests, and packaging the application. Instead of duplicating
these steps in every pipeline, you create a reusable template and reference it in all your pipelines,
making it easier to maintain and update.

67. How do you configure rollback in Azure Pipelines in case of deployment failure?

Answer: Rollback in Azure Pipelines refers to the process of reverting to a previous stable version
when a deployment fails. This can be done by maintaining versioned artifacts and redeploying the
last known good version if needed.

Steps to Implement Rollback:

 1. Store Previous Artifacts: Ensure each deployment stores versioned artifacts so that the
previous version can be easily redeployed.

2. Conditional Rollback: Add a conditional rollback step to deploy the previous version if the
current deployment fails.

Example YAML with Rollback:

steps:
- task: DeployApp@2
condition: succeeded()
- task: DeployPreviousVersion@2
condition: failed()

Example Use Case: You are deploying a web application to production, and the deployment fails due
to a configuration issue. Instead of manually restoring the previous version, the pipeline
automatically rolls back to the last successful deployment, minimizing downtime and service
disruption.

68. How do you run jobs in parallel in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Pipelines supports parallel jobs, allowing you to run multiple jobs simultaneously,
improving pipeline efficiency and reducing overall execution time.

Steps to Run Jobs in Parallel:

1. Define Multiple Jobs in a Stage: Jobs within the same stage run in parallel unless dependsOn
is used to define dependencies.

2. Limit Parallelism: You can limit the number of parallel jobs using the maxParallel setting.

Example YAML:

jobs:
- job: Build
steps:
- script: echo "Building..."
- job: Test
steps:
- script: echo "Running tests..."

Example Use Case: You are building a large Java application with multiple modules. Instead of
running all build and test steps sequentially, you configure the pipeline to run the build and tests in
parallel, significantly reducing the overall execution time.

69. How do you define agent pools in Azure Pipelines, and what is their purpose?

Answer: An agent pool in Azure Pipelines is a group of agents that are available to run jobs. You can
use Microsoft-hosted agents or self-hosted agents to run your jobs.

Steps to Use Agent Pools:

 1. Choose an Agent Pool: In the pipeline, specify which agent pool to use.

2. Self-Hosted Agents: If you need custom environments, you can set up self-hosted agents and
add them to your own agent pool.

Example YAML:

jobs:
- job: Build
pool:
vmImage: 'ubuntu-latest'

Example Use Case: You are developing a Node.js application that requires specific versions of
libraries or tools. You set up a self-hosted agent with all the required dependencies and add it to an
agent pool. Your pipeline specifies this agent pool, ensuring that the correct environment is used for
building and testing.

70. What are stages in Azure Pipelines, and how do you configure them?

Answer: Stages in Azure Pipelines represent major divisions in a pipeline, such as build, test, and
deploy. Each stage can contain multiple jobs and can be run sequentially or in parallel with other
stages.

Steps to Configure Stages:

1. Define Stages: Use the stages keyword to define multiple stages in a pipeline.

2. Set Dependencies: Use the dependsOn keyword to control the order of execution between
stages.

Example YAML:

stages:
- stage: Build
jobs:
- job: BuildJob
- stage: Test
dependsOn: Build
jobs:
- job: TestJob

Example Use Case: You are building a web application, and your pipeline includes separate stages for
building, testing, and deploying the application. Each stage has its own set of jobs, and you use
dependsOn to ensure the pipeline proceeds in the correct order.

71. What are artifacts in Azure Pipelines, and how do you manage them?
Answer: Artifacts in Azure Pipelines are the outputs generated by a pipeline, such as build results,
binaries, logs, or Docker images. Artifacts can be passed between stages or jobs for further
processing.

Steps to Manage Artifacts:

1. Publish Artifacts: Use the PublishPipelineArtifact task to store artifacts generated by a

pipeline.

2. Consume Artifacts: Use the DownloadPipelineArtifact task to retrieve and use artifacts in
another stage or job.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: PublishPipelineArtifact@1
inputs:
targetPath: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)'
artifactName: 'myArtifact'

Example Use Case: You are working on a C# project where the build process generates a set of
binaries and log files. You configure the pipeline to publish these files as artifacts, which can then be
used in the next stage for testing and deployment.

72. How do you use the Azure DevOps REST API to trigger a pipeline?

Answer: The Azure DevOps REST API allows you to programmatically interact with Azure DevOps,
including triggering pipelines. You can use the REST API to trigger a pipeline run from an external
system or script.

Steps to Trigger a Pipeline Using REST API:

1. Authenticate with Azure DevOps: Use a Personal Access Token (PAT) to authenticate API
requests.

2. Make API Request: Use the POST request to trigger a pipeline.

Example CURL Request:

curl -X POST \
-u user:PAT \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"definition": {"id": 1}}' \
https://dev.azure.com/organization/project/_apis/build/builds?api-version=6.0

Example Use Case: You have a third-party application that monitors code repositories and triggers
Azure Pipelines based on external events. Using the Azure DevOps REST API, you can
programmatically trigger the pipeline from your monitoring system whenever a specific condition is
met.

73. How do you integrate Microsoft Teams with Azure Pipelines for notifications?

Answer: You can integrate Microsoft Teams with Azure Pipelines to receive notifications about
pipeline status, including successes, failures, and approvals.

Steps to Integrate Teams with Azure Pipelines:

1. Set Up Teams Webhook: Create an incoming webhook in the Microsoft Teams channel
where you want to receive notifications.

2. Configure Service Hooks in Azure DevOps: Use Azure DevOps service hooks to send
notifications to the Teams webhook.

Example Use Case: You are working on a team that needs to be notified when deployments to
production succeed or fail. You configure Azure Pipelines to send notifications to a dedicated Teams
channel, ensuring the entire team is aware of the pipeline’s progress.

74. How do you use Azure Pipelines to deploy a Kubernetes application?

Answer: Azure Pipelines supports deploying to Kubernetes clusters using the Kubernetes@1 task or
by running kubectl commands directly within the pipeline.

Steps to Deploy to Kubernetes:

1. Set Up Kubernetes Service Connection: Create a service connection to your Kubernetes

cluster in Azure DevOps.

2. Deploy Using YAML or Helm: Use Kubernetes manifests or Helm charts to define the
deployment, and use the pipeline to apply the changes to the cluster.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: Kubernetes@1
inputs:
kubernetesServiceConnection: '<service-connection>'
namespace: 'default'
command: 'apply'
arguments: '-f deployment.yaml'

Example Use Case: You are deploying a microservices application to an AKS (Azure Kubernetes
Service) cluster. You create a deployment manifest that defines how the application should be
deployed, and the pipeline automatically applies these changes to the cluster when code is pushed
to the repository.
75. How do you manage pipeline concurrency in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Pipeline concurrency in Azure Pipelines refers to controlling how many pipeline runs or jobs
can execute simultaneously. This is useful for managing resources and avoiding overloading systems.

Steps to Manage Concurrency:

1. Limit Concurrent Pipeline Runs: Use the limit setting to control how many pipeline runs can
execute concurrently.

2. Control Job Concurrency: You can also limit concurrency at the job level to control
parallelism.

Example YAML:

jobs:
- job: Build
pool:
demands: "Agent -equals windows"
timeoutInMinutes: 60
cancelTimeoutInMinutes: 5

Example Use Case: You are working on a project where multiple developers push changes frequently.
To avoid overwhelming the build system, you limit pipeline concurrency to ensure no more than
three builds run at the same time, improving system stability and resource utilization.

76. How do you create a gated check-in process using Azure Pipelines?

Answer: A gated check-in process ensures that code is built and tested before it is committed to the
main branch. This prevents broken code from entering critical branches.

Steps to Implement Gated Check-In:

1. Enable Gated Check-In Policies: In Azure Repos, configure branch policies that require the
pipeline to pass before allowing code to be merged.

2. Configure the Build Pipeline: Ensure the pipeline runs tests and other checks before the
code is committed.

Example Use Case: You are working on a large team where it’s important to prevent breaking
changes from being merged into the main branch. By configuring a gated check-in policy, code is built
and tested before being merged, ensuring that only high-quality code reaches the production
environment.

77. How do you use conditionally executed steps in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Conditional execution in Azure Pipelines allows you to control whether certain steps run
based on conditions such as branch, environment, or previous task outcomes.

Steps to Use Conditional Steps:

 1. Use the condition Keyword: Add the condition keyword to control whether the step
executes.

2. Base Conditions on Variables or Task Outcomes: You can check environment variables or the
success/failure of previous steps.

Example YAML:

steps:
- script: echo "Running on main branch"
condition: eq(variables['Build.SourceBranch'], 'refs/heads/main')
Example Use Case: You have a deployment pipeline where deployments to the production
environment should only occur if the build is triggered from the main branch. Using conditional
steps, you can ensure that the deployment step is only executed when the main branch is updated.

78. How do you integrate security scanning into Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Security scanning can be integrated into Azure Pipelines using tools like OWASP ZAP,
WhiteSource, or SonarQube. These tools can scan for vulnerabilities, outdated dependencies, and
insecure code.

Steps to Integrate Security Scans:

1. Add Security Scanning Tools to Pipeline: Add a task in the pipeline to run a security scanning
tool.

2. Fail the Pipeline on Vulnerabilities: Configure the pipeline to fail if vulnerabilities are
detected.

Example YAML for OWASP ZAP:

steps:
- task: OWASPZAP@2
inputs:
targetUrl: 'http://your-app-url'
failBuildOnError: true
Example Use Case: You are developing a web application that must pass security checks before it can
be deployed. As part of your CI pipeline, you add an OWASP ZAP task to scan the application for
common security vulnerabilities. If any critical vulnerabilities are found, the pipeline fails, preventing
insecure code from being deployed.

79. How do you create and manage service connections in Azure DevOps?

Answer: A service connection in Azure DevOps allows pipelines to authenticate and interact with
external services like Azure, AWS, Docker, or Kubernetes. It stores credentials securely, allowing the
pipeline to use them without exposing sensitive information.

Steps to Create a Service Connection:

1. Go to Project Settings: Navigate to Service Connections under project settings.

 2. Add a New Service Connection: Choose the type of service connection (e.g., Azure Resource
Manager, Docker, Kubernetes), and provide the necessary credentials.

Example Use Case: You are deploying a web application to Azure App Services and need the pipeline
to authenticate with Azure. You create a service connection to your Azure subscription, and in your
pipeline, you reference this service connection to deploy the application securely.

80. How do you handle secrets in Azure Pipelines using Azure Key Vault?

Answer: Azure Key Vault is used to securely store and manage secrets such as API keys, passwords,
and certificates. Azure Pipelines can retrieve secrets from Azure Key Vault during a pipeline run to
avoid exposing sensitive data.

Steps to Handle Secrets with Key Vault:

1. Create a Service Connection to Key Vault: Set up a service connection between Azure
DevOps and Azure Key Vault.

2. Retrieve Secrets in the Pipeline: Use the AzureKeyVault task to retrieve secrets from Key
Vault during the pipeline execution.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: AzureKeyVault@1
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
keyVaultName: '<key-vault-name>'
secretsFilter: '<secret-name>'

Example Use Case: You are deploying an application that requires database credentials. Instead of
hardcoding the credentials in the pipeline, you store them in Azure Key Vault. During the
deployment, the pipeline retrieves the credentials securely from Key Vault, ensuring that sensitive
information is not exposed.

81. How do you run tests in parallel in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Running tests in parallel in Azure Pipelines helps speed up test execution by distributing the
workload across multiple agents or jobs. This is particularly useful for large test suites.

Steps to Run Tests in Parallel:

1. Use the parallel Keyword: Define multiple parallel jobs or steps within the pipeline.

2. Distribute Test Workloads: Configure the pipeline to distribute the tests across multiple
agents or parallel jobs.

Example YAML:

jobs:
 - job: Test
pool:
vmImage: 'ubuntu-latest'
strategy:
parallel: 4
steps:
- script: npm test

Example Use Case: You have a large test suite for a web application that takes too long to run
sequentially. By configuring the pipeline to run tests in parallel, the test suite is split into smaller
chunks that are executed simultaneously, significantly reducing the total execution time.

82. How do you monitor and debug Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Monitoring and debugging Azure Pipelines involves reviewing logs, analyzing the pipeline
run details, and using built-in analytics tools to understand pipeline performance and failures.

Steps to Monitor and Debug Pipelines:

1. Review Logs: Each step in a pipeline generates detailed logs that can be reviewed to
diagnose issues.

2. Use Pipeline Analytics: Azure Pipelines provides built-in analytics tools to monitor pipeline
performance, success rates, and failure trends.

Example Use Case: You are troubleshooting a deployment pipeline that fails intermittently. By
reviewing the detailed logs of the failed runs, you identify that a network issue is causing the failure.
You update the pipeline to retry the task if it fails, improving the pipeline’s resilience.

83. How do you use Helm to deploy Kubernetes applications in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Helm is a package manager for Kubernetes that simplifies the deployment and management
of applications. Azure Pipelines supports deploying Helm charts to Kubernetes clusters as part of a
CI/CD pipeline.

Steps to Use Helm in Azure Pipelines:

1. Set Up Helm: Install Helm on the pipeline agent or use the HelmInstaller task to set it up.

2. Deploy Helm Charts: Use the HelmDeploy task to deploy the Helm chart to a Kubernetes
cluster.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: HelmInstaller@1
inputs:
helmVersionToInstall: 'latest'
 - task: HelmDeploy@0
inputs:
connectionType: 'Kubernetes Service Connection'
kubernetesServiceEndpoint: '<service-connection>'
chartType: 'FilePath'
chartPath: 'path/to/chart'

Example Use Case: You are deploying a microservices application to a Kubernetes cluster using Helm
charts. The application consists of multiple services, and the Helm chart defines how each service
should be deployed. By integrating Helm into your CI/CD pipeline, you automate the deployment of
the entire application to the cluster.

84. How do you handle blue-green deployments in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Blue-green deployment is a deployment strategy where two identical environments (blue
and green) are maintained. One environment serves live traffic, while the other is used for testing
new versions. When the new version is tested, traffic is switched to the new environment.

Steps for Blue-Green Deployment:

1. Deploy to a Non-Live Environment: Deploy the new version to the inactive environment
(e.g., green).

2. Switch Traffic: After successful testing, switch traffic to the new environment using a load
balancer or DNS update.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: Kubernetes@1
inputs:
connectionType: 'Kubernetes Service Connection'
namespace: 'green'
command: 'apply'
arguments: '-f deployment.yaml'
Example Use Case: You are deploying a new version of a web application to production using a blue-
green deployment strategy. First, you deploy the new version to the green environment and run
tests. Once the tests pass, you switch traffic to the green environment, making it live without
downtime.

85. How do you integrate Terraform with Azure Pipelines for infrastructure provisioning?

Answer: Terraform is an Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tool that can be integrated into Azure Pipelines
to automate the provisioning of infrastructure. Terraform scripts define the infrastructure, and Azure
Pipelines can apply these scripts to create or update resources.

Steps to Integrate Terraform:

 1. Install Terraform on Agent: Use the TerraformInstaller task to install Terraform on the agent.

2. Apply Terraform Scripts: Use the TerraformTaskV2 task to apply the Terraform scripts to
create or update infrastructure.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: TerraformInstaller@0
inputs:
terraformVersion: 'latest'
- task: TerraformTaskV2@2
inputs:
command: 'apply'
workingDirectory: './terraform'

Example Use Case: You are managing an AKS cluster and other Azure resources using Terraform. By
integrating Terraform with Azure Pipelines, you automate the creation and management of
infrastructure as part of your CI/CD pipeline, ensuring that infrastructure changes are applied
consistently across environments.

86. How do you use ARM templates with Azure Pipelines for infrastructure automation?

Answer: ARM (Azure Resource Manager) templates are JSON files that define infrastructure and
configuration for Azure resources. Azure Pipelines can automate the deployment of ARM templates
to provision and manage Azure resources.

Steps to Use ARM Templates in Pipelines:

1. Create ARM Templates: Define your infrastructure as code using ARM templates.

2. Deploy ARM Templates Using Pipelines: Use the

AzureResourceManagerTemplateDeployment task to deploy ARM templates in the pipeline.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: AzureResourceManagerTemplateDeployment@3
inputs:
deploymentScope: 'Resource Group'
azureResourceManagerConnection: '<service-connection>'
resourceGroupName: '<resource-group>'
location: '<location>'
templateLocation: 'Linked artifact'
csmFile: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/templates/azuredeploy.json'
csmParametersFile: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/templates/azuredeploy.parameters.json'

Example Use Case: You are deploying a set of Azure resources, such as virtual machines and storage
accounts, using ARM templates. By integrating ARM templates into your CI/CD pipeline, you
automate the provisioning of resources, ensuring consistency and reducing manual errors.
87. How do you use the approval and checks feature in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Approvals and checks in Azure Pipelines allow you to pause the pipeline at specific stages,
requiring manual approval or verification before continuing. This is commonly used for critical
deployments, such as production environments.

Steps to Configure Approvals:

1. Enable Approvals in the Environment: In the release pipeline, go to the environment

settings and configure pre-deployment approvals.

2. Assign Approvers: Specify which users or groups are required to approve the deployment
before proceeding.

Example YAML:

stages:
- stage: Deploy
environment:
name: 'Production'
approval:
pending:
approvals:
- users:
- '[email protected]'
- '[email protected]'

Example Use Case: You are deploying a critical application to production and want to ensure that all
stakeholders approve the deployment before it goes live. By configuring approvals in the pipeline,
the deployment is paused until the required team members review and approve the changes.

88. How do you deploy a .NET Core application using Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can be used to build, test, and deploy a .NET Core application. The pipeline
compiles the code, runs tests, and deploys the application to an Azure App Service or other hosting
environment.

Steps to Deploy .NET Core Application:

1. Build the .NET Core Project: Use the DotNetCoreCLI@2 task to build the project.

2. Deploy to Azure App Service: Use the AzureWebApp@1 task to deploy the application to an
Azure App Service.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: UseDotNet@2
inputs:
packageType: 'sdk'
version: '5.x'
- task: DotNetCoreCLI@2
inputs:
 command: 'build'
projects: '**/*.csproj'
- task: AzureWebApp@1
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
appName: '<app-name>'
package: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/**/*.zip'

Example Use Case: You are deploying a .NET Core web application to Azure App Services. The
pipeline builds the project using the .NET SDK, creates a package, and automatically deploys it to the
Azure App Service whenever code is committed to the main branch.

89. How do you automate database migrations in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Automating database migrations in Azure Pipelines ensures that any required schema
changes are applied as part of the CI/CD process. You can use migration tools such as Entity
Framework (for .NET) or Flyway to automate the process.

Steps to Automate Database Migrations:

1. Add a Migration Step in the Pipeline: Use a script or task to apply the database migration.

2. Run Migrations Before Deployment: Ensure migrations run before deploying the application
to avoid runtime issues due to missing schema changes.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: DotNetCoreCLI@2
inputs:
command: 'ef'
arguments: 'database update'
projects: '**/*.csproj'

Example Use Case: You are deploying a new version of a web application that requires schema
changes in the database. By automating the migration using Entity Framework in the pipeline, you
ensure that the schema changes are applied before the new application version is deployed,
preventing issues caused by mismatched database schemas.

90. How do you use stages and jobs in Azure Pipelines to organize your pipeline?

Answer: Stages and jobs are used to organize pipelines into logical groups. A stage represents a
major part of the CI/CD process (e.g., build, test, deploy), while jobs represent units of work within a
stage. Jobs within the same stage can run in parallel.

Steps to Organize Pipeline with Stages and Jobs:

 1. Define Stages: Use stages to represent major steps such as build, test, and deploy.

2. Define Jobs Within Stages: Use jobs to define parallelizable tasks within each stage.

Example YAML:

stages:
- stage: Build
jobs:
- job: Compile
steps:
- script: echo "Compiling..."
- stage: Deploy
dependsOn: Build
jobs:
- job: DeployApp
steps:
- script: echo "Deploying..."
Example Use Case: You are developing a microservice and want to separate the build, test, and
deploy processes into distinct stages. Each stage has its own jobs, and you use dependencies to
ensure that stages run in the correct order. This organization improves readability and control over
the pipeline’s flow.

91. What is the purpose of retention policies in Azure Pipelines, and how do you configure them?

Answer: Retention policies in Azure Pipelines control how long pipeline runs, logs, and artifacts are
retained before they are automatically deleted. This helps manage storage usage and keeps the
pipeline clean.

Steps to Configure Retention Policies:

1. Set Retention Settings in Pipeline: Define how long pipeline runs and artifacts should be
retained.

2. Apply Retention to Specific Branches: You can configure different retention policies for
different branches, keeping longer histories for important branches.

Example Use Case: You are managing a CI/CD pipeline for a long-running project with multiple
branches. To avoid running out of storage, you configure a retention policy that keeps artifacts and
logs for the last 30 runs on feature branches and 90 runs on the main branch.

92. How do you implement multi-stage pipelines in Azure DevOps?

Answer: Multi-stage pipelines allow you to define and execute multiple stages (e.g., build, test,
deploy) within a single YAML pipeline file. This enables better control over the CI/CD process,
especially for complex applications.

Steps to Implement Multi-Stage Pipelines:

1. Define Stages in the YAML File: Each stage represents a phase of the CI/CD pipeline (e.g.,
build, test, deploy).
 2. Add Dependencies Between Stages: Use dependsOn to control the flow of the stages.

Example YAML:

stages:
- stage: Build
jobs:
- job: BuildApp
steps:
- script: echo "Building the app..."
- stage: Deploy
dependsOn: Build
jobs:
- job: DeployApp
steps:
- script: echo "Deploying the app..."
Example Use Case: You are working on a microservice that requires building, running tests, and
deploying to multiple environments (e.g., staging and production). By using multi-stage pipelines,
you define separate stages for each step, ensuring that the pipeline only proceeds to the next stage
after the previous one is successful.

93. How do you add pull request validation in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Pull request validation in Azure Pipelines ensures that code changes are built and tested
before they are merged. This prevents broken or untested code from being merged into important
branches.

Steps to Add Pull Request Validation:

1. Create a Pipeline for PR Validation: Configure a pipeline that runs on pull request creation or
updates.

2. Set Up Branch Policies: In Azure Repos, set up branch policies to require the pipeline to pass
before merging the pull request.

Example YAML:

trigger:
branches:
exclude:
- main

pr:
branches:
include:
- '*'
Example Use Case: You are working on a team where multiple developers are contributing to the
project. To ensure that only tested and reviewed code is merged into the main branch, you set up a
pipeline that builds and tests the code whenever a pull request is created. The pull request cannot be
merged until the pipeline passes.
94. How do you use Docker in Azure Pipelines to build and push images?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can build Docker images from application source code and push them to a
Docker registry (e.g., Docker Hub, Azure Container Registry).

Steps to Build and Push Docker Images:

1. Create a Dockerfile: Define how to build the Docker image using a Dockerfile.

2. Use the Docker@2 Task: In the pipeline, use the Docker@2 task to build and push the
Docker image.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: Docker@2
inputs:
command: 'buildAndPush'
repository: 'yourregistry/yourapp'
Dockerfile: '**/Dockerfile'
containerRegistry: '<service-connection>'
tags: |
$(Build.BuildId)

Example Use Case: You are developing a Node.js microservice that runs in a Docker container. As
part of the CI pipeline, the application is packaged into a Docker image using the Docker@2 task, and
the image is pushed to Azure Container Registry. The image is then used for deployment to
Kubernetes or other environments.

95. How do you manage branching strategies for CI/CD in Azure DevOps?

Answer: A branching strategy in Azure DevOps defines how code is managed across different
branches (e.g., feature branches, development, release). Azure DevOps supports various branching
strategies, such as GitFlow and trunk-based development, to ensure smooth CI/CD integration.

Steps to Manage Branching Strategies:

1. Define a Branching Strategy: Choose a strategy such as GitFlow, where features are
developed in separate branches and merged into develop and main.

2. Use Branch Policies: Set up policies to ensure that pull requests are validated before merging
into critical branches like main or release.

Example Use Case: You are working on a large project where multiple developers are contributing.
Each developer creates a feature branch from develop, and once the feature is ready, a pull request
is created to merge the changes back into develop. The pipeline builds and tests the feature branch
to ensure no regressions before the merge. When it’s time for a release, the main branch is updated
and deployed to production.

96. How do you use Azure Pipelines to deploy to multiple environments?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can deploy an application to multiple environments (e.g., development,
staging, production) by using multiple stages or jobs in the pipeline, each corresponding to a
different environment.

Steps to Deploy to Multiple Environments:

1. Define Separate Stages for Each Environment: Use stages to represent different
environments.

2. Configure Deployment for Each Environment: Customize each stage to deploy to the
appropriate environment using environment-specific variables.

Example YAML:

stages:
- stage: DeployToDev
jobs:
- deployment: DevDeployment
environment: 'Development'
steps:
- script: echo "Deploying to Development"
- stage: DeployToProd
dependsOn: DeployToDev
jobs:
- deployment: ProdDeployment
environment: 'Production'
steps:
- script: echo "Deploying to Production"

Example Use Case: You are deploying a web application to different environments. First, the pipeline
deploys the application to a development environment for testing. Once testing is complete, the
same application is deployed to a production environment. Each environment has its own
configuration, and the pipeline handles these differences using environment-specific variables.

97. How do you integrate SonarQube for code quality checks in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: SonarQube is a tool used for static code analysis, identifying code quality issues and
vulnerabilities. It can be integrated into Azure Pipelines to automatically scan the codebase and
provide feedback on code quality and security issues.

Steps to Integrate SonarQube:

1. Install the SonarQube Extension: Add the SonarQube extension from the Azure DevOps
marketplace.

2. Add SonarQube Tasks to the Pipeline: Configure the pipeline to prepare, analyze, and
publish results to SonarQube.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: SonarQubePrepare@4
inputs:
 SonarQube: 'SonarQube service connection'
projectKey: 'my-project'
- task: SonarQubeAnalyze@4
- task: SonarQubePublish@4
inputs:
pollingTimeoutSec: '300'
Example Use Case: You are developing a Java application, and as part of your CI pipeline, SonarQube
runs static analysis on the codebase. If it detects any code smells, technical debt, or security
vulnerabilities, the pipeline fails, ensuring that only high-quality and secure code is deployed.

98. How do you use pipeline templates in Azure Pipelines for reusability?

Answer: Pipeline templates in Azure Pipelines allow you to define reusable sections of pipeline code
that can be shared across multiple pipelines. This helps reduce duplication and improves
maintainability.

Steps to Use Templates:

1. Create a Template: Define a pipeline template in a separate YAML file.

2. Reference the Template: In other pipelines, use the template keyword to include the
template.

Example Template (build-template.yaml):

parameters:
- name: buildConfiguration
type: string
default: 'Release'

steps:
- script: echo "Building in $(buildConfiguration) mode"

Example Pipeline Using the Template:

stages:
- stage: Build
jobs:
- template: build-template.yaml
parameters:
buildConfiguration: 'Debug'

Example Use Case: You are working on multiple projects that follow a similar build process. Instead
of duplicating the same build steps in each pipeline, you create a reusable pipeline template. This
allows you to maintain the build logic in a single place, and reference it across multiple projects,
improving consistency and reducing maintenance overhead.
99. How do you secure pipeline variables in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Securing pipeline variables in Azure Pipelines ensures that sensitive information such as
passwords, API keys, or tokens is not exposed during pipeline execution. You can mark variables as
secrets, ensuring they are masked in logs and handled securely.

Steps to Secure Pipeline Variables:

1. Mark Variables as Secrets: In the pipeline settings, mark the variable as a secret, ensuring it
is encrypted and masked in logs.

2. Use Azure Key Vault for Secret Management: For additional security, store secrets in Azure
Key Vault and retrieve them in the pipeline.

Example YAML:

variables:
- name: apiKey
value: $(secretApiKey)
isSecret: true

steps:
- script: echo "Using secret API key"

Example Use Case: You are deploying an application that requires a third-party API key for
integration. Instead of hardcoding the API key in the pipeline, you mark it as a secret, ensuring that it
is securely encrypted and not visible in the pipeline logs.

100. How do you handle build pipelines for monorepos in Azure DevOps?

Answer: A monorepo is a repository that contains multiple services or projects. Handling build
pipelines for monorepos in Azure DevOps involves creating pipelines that can build and test
individual projects within the monorepo without rebuilding the entire repository.

Steps to Handle Monorepos in Pipelines:

1. Use Path Filters: Define path filters to trigger builds only when certain projects or directories
are modified.

2. Create Separate Pipelines for Each Project: Create separate pipelines or jobs for each project
in the monorepo.

Example YAML:

trigger:
paths:
include:
- src/project1/*
 exclude:
- src/project2/*

jobs:
- job: BuildProject1
steps:
- script: echo "Building Project 1"
Example Use Case: You are working on a monorepo that contains multiple microservices. Each
microservice has its own build process, and you don’t want to trigger unnecessary builds for
unrelated changes. By configuring path filters, the pipeline only runs for the microservice that has
been modified, improving efficiency and reducing build times.

101. What is an agent in Azure Pipelines, and how do you choose between Microsoft-hosted and
self-hosted agents?

Answer: An agent in Azure Pipelines is a worker machine that executes the steps in a pipeline.
Agents can be either Microsoft-hosted or self-hosted.

• Microsoft-hosted agents are managed by Azure DevOps, and they come pre-installed with
commonly used tools and software. They are a good choice for most pipelines where you
don’t need to customize the environment.

• Self-hosted agents are managed by you, giving you full control over the environment
(software, configurations). They are a good choice when you need specific tools, software
versions, or network access that Microsoft-hosted agents don’t support.

Example:

pool:

vmImage: 'ubuntu-latest' # This uses a Microsoft-hosted agent

Example Use Case: You are working on a project that requires a custom library or tool not available
in the standard Microsoft-hosted agents. You set up a self-hosted agent on your internal network
with the necessary dependencies and use it in your pipeline to execute jobs.

102. How do you implement a pipeline for a multi-repo project in Azure DevOps?

Answer: In a multi-repo project, your application relies on code from multiple repositories. Azure
Pipelines supports checking out multiple repositories within a single pipeline.

Steps:

1. Define multiple repositories in the resources section of the pipeline YAML.

 2. Use the checkout step to specify how the repositories should be checked out during the
pipeline execution.

Example YAML:

resources:
repositories:
- repository: MyOtherRepo
type: git
name: OtherOrg/OtherRepo

steps:
- checkout: self # Checkout the current repository
- checkout: MyOtherRepo # Checkout another repository

Example Use Case: You are developing an application that uses a shared library from another
repository. In your pipeline, you check out both the application’s repository and the shared library’s
repository, allowing you to compile both projects together.

103. How do you use deployment slots in Azure App Services via Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Deployment slots in Azure App Services allow you to host different versions of your
application in different slots (e.g., staging, production). Azure Pipelines can deploy directly to these
slots, enabling a blue-green or canary deployment strategy.

Steps:

1. Create deployment slots in Azure App Services.

2. Deploy to a slot using the AzureWebApp task in the pipeline, specifying the slot name.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: AzureWebApp@1
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
appName: '<app-name>'
deployToSlotOrASE: true
slotName: 'staging'
package: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/**/*.zip'

Example Use Case: You want to deploy a new version of your web application to a staging slot to test
it before releasing it to production. After testing, you can swap the slots to make the new version live
without downtime.

104. How do you use service hooks in Azure DevOps to integrate with third-party tools?

Answer: Service hooks in Azure DevOps allow you to trigger events in external services when actions
occur in your Azure DevOps projects. Common use cases include sending notifications to Slack,
triggering builds in Jenkins, or creating tickets in Jira.
Steps:

1. Go to Project Settings > Service Hooks.

2. Choose the event you want to trigger (e.g., when a work item is updated, when a build
succeeds).

3. Select the external service to integrate with (e.g., Slack, Jira, Jenkins).

Example: You can set up a service hook to send a message to a Slack channel whenever a new pull
request is created in Azure Repos, keeping your team informed of new work.

105. What is the difference between build and release pipelines in Azure DevOps?

Answer: Build pipelines focus on compiling source code, running tests, and generating artifacts,
while release pipelines focus on deploying these artifacts to different environments (e.g., dev,
staging, production).

• Build Pipeline: Automates code compilation, testing, and artifact generation. It is triggered
by code changes.

• Release Pipeline: Takes the generated artifacts from the build pipeline and automates the
deployment to various environments.

Example Use Case: You are developing a web application. The build pipeline compiles the source
code, runs unit tests, and produces a zip package. The release pipeline takes the package and deploys
it to different environments like staging and production.

106. How do you configure continuous deployment in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Continuous Deployment (CD) in Azure Pipelines automatically deploys changes to

production once they pass through the build and testing phases.

Steps:

1. Create a release pipeline that deploys your application to the desired environment.

2. Enable continuous deployment triggers so that the release pipeline is triggered automatically
after the build pipeline completes.

Example YAML:

trigger:
branches:
include:
- main

stages:
- stage: Deploy
jobs:
- deployment: DeployToProd
environment: 'Production'
steps:
 - task: AzureWebApp@1
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
appName: '<app-name>'
package: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/**/*.zip'

Example Use Case: You are working on a SaaS application and want any successful code changes in
the main branch to be automatically deployed to production without manual intervention. You
configure a release pipeline with continuous deployment triggers to automate the deployment
process.

107. How do you manage agent demands in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Agent demands specify the capabilities or requirements that a job needs from an agent.
These demands ensure that the pipeline runs on an agent with the necessary tools or software
installed.

Steps:

1. Define demands in the pipeline YAML or in the pipeline settings.

2. Specify required capabilities such as a specific operating system, installed tool, or software
version.

Example YAML:

jobs:
- job: Build
pool:
vmImage: 'ubuntu-latest'
demands: 'Docker'
Example Use Case: You are building a Docker image in your pipeline, and the job requires an agent
that has Docker installed. By specifying the demand Docker, the pipeline ensures that it only runs on
agents that meet this requirement.

108. How do you configure pipeline caching to improve build performance in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Pipeline caching allows you to store dependencies or other files that are reused across
pipeline runs. This improves performance by avoiding the need to download or rebuild the same files
repeatedly.

Steps:

1. Use the Cache@2 task to define what should be cached (e.g., node_modules, package
dependencies).

2. Define a cache key based on the file or environment (e.g., package-lock.json).

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: Cache@2
 inputs:
key: 'npm | "$(Agent.OS)" | package-lock.json'
path: $(Pipeline.Workspace)/.npm
restoreKeys: 'npm | "$(Agent.OS)"'

Example Use Case: You are building a Node.js application, and each time the pipeline runs, it
downloads dependencies using npm install. To speed up the build, you configure pipeline caching to
store the node_modules directory, reducing the time spent downloading dependencies on
subsequent builds.

109. How do you manage environment-specific configurations in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: In Azure Pipelines, environment-specific configurations are managed using variables,

templates, or conditional steps. These allow you to configure settings, credentials, and other
parameters differently for each environment (e.g., development, staging, production).

Steps:

1. Define variables in the pipeline YAML or pipeline settings for each environment.

2. Use conditional steps to apply environment-specific configurations.

Example YAML:

stages:
- stage: DeployToDev
variables:
connectionString: 'Server=devdb;Database=mydb;User Id=devuser;'
- stage: DeployToProd
variables:
connectionString: 'Server=proddb;Database=mydb;User Id=produser;'

Example Use Case: You are deploying a web application to different environments, and each
environment has its own database connection string. By defining environment-specific variables, you
ensure that the correct configuration is applied during each deployment, preventing issues caused by
incorrect environment settings.

110. How do you implement a canary deployment strategy using Azure Pipelines?

Answer: A canary deployment strategy releases a new version of an application to a small subset of
users before rolling it out to the entire user base. This helps mitigate risk by testing the new version
with a limited audience.

Steps:

1. Deploy the new version to a small subset of instances or users (canary).

2. Gradually increase the traffic to the new version while monitoring performance and stability.

3. Fully deploy if no issues are found.

Example YAML:
stages:
- stage: CanaryDeployment
jobs:
- deployment: Canary
strategy:
canary:
increments: 5%
steps:
- task: AzureWebApp@1
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
appName: '<app-name>'
package: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/**/*.zip'

Example Use Case: You are deploying a new feature to a production environment. Instead of rolling it
out to all users at once, you release it to 5% of users and monitor performance. If no issues are
found, you gradually increase the percentage until the feature is available to all users.

111. How do you handle database migrations in Azure Pipelines using Entity Framework?

Answer: Database migrations in Azure Pipelines can be automated using Entity Framework (EF) in
.NET projects. This ensures that schema changes are applied as part of the CI/CD process.

Steps:

1. Include a database update step in your pipeline to run migrations.

2. Use the dotnet ef database update command in your pipeline to apply the migrations.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: UseDotNet@2
inputs:
packageType: 'sdk'
version: '5.x'
- task: DotNetCoreCLI@2
inputs:
command: 'ef'
arguments: 'database update'
projects: '**/*.csproj'
Example Use Case: You are deploying a .NET Core web application with Entity Framework, and the
new version requires changes to the database schema. By running the dotnet ef database update
command as part of your deployment pipeline, you ensure that the necessary migrations are applied
before the application is deployed.

112. How do you implement infrastructure as code (IaC) using Bicep with Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Bicep is a domain-specific language (DSL) for Azure that simplifies the authoring of ARM
templates. You can use Bicep in Azure Pipelines to automate the provisioning of Azure infrastructure.

Steps:
 1. Write the infrastructure as code in Bicep files.

2. Use the AzureCLI@2 task in the pipeline to deploy the Bicep files.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: AzureCLI@2
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
scriptType: 'bash'
scriptLocation: 'inlineScript'
inlineScript: 'az deployment group create --resource-group myResourceGroup --template-file
main.bicep'

Example Use Case: You are managing a set of Azure resources for your application, including virtual
networks, storage accounts, and databases. Instead of manually provisioning these resources, you
define them using Bicep files and automate their deployment using Azure Pipelines.

113. What is the use of the DownloadPipelineArtifact task in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: The DownloadPipelineArtifact task in Azure Pipelines is used to retrieve artifacts produced
by previous jobs or pipeline runs. These artifacts can then be used in subsequent jobs or stages of
the pipeline.

Steps:

1. Use the PublishPipelineArtifact task to create and publish the artifact.

2. Use the DownloadPipelineArtifact task to download and use the artifact.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: PublishPipelineArtifact@1
inputs:
targetPath: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)'
artifactName: 'myArtifact'

- task: DownloadPipelineArtifact@2
inputs:
artifactName: 'myArtifact'
targetPath: '$(Pipeline.Workspace)'

Example Use Case: You are building a .NET Core application, and the build pipeline produces a
compiled binary. You use PublishPipelineArtifact to store the binary, and in the next stage,
DownloadPipelineArtifact retrieves the binary for deployment to the production environment.

114. How do you implement a rolling deployment strategy using Azure Pipelines?
Answer: A rolling deployment strategy updates parts of the application gradually, ensuring that
some instances remain available while the new version is being deployed.

Steps:

1. Define a rolling strategy in the pipeline to incrementally update instances.

2. Deploy the new version in batches, ensuring that not all instances are updated at once.

Example YAML:

stages:
- stage: Deploy
jobs:
- deployment: RollingDeploy
environment: 'Production'
strategy:
rolling:
maxParallel: 2
steps:
- task: AzureWebApp@1
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
appName: '<app-name>'
package: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/**/*.zip'
Example Use Case: You are deploying a web application hosted in Azure App Services. To avoid
downtime, you use a rolling deployment strategy that updates two instances at a time. This ensures
that some instances remain available to serve traffic while the new version is being deployed.

115. How do you configure multi-stage YAML pipelines for different environments in Azure
Pipelines?

Answer: Multi-stage YAML pipelines allow you to define and execute multiple stages (e.g., build,
test, deploy) within a single YAML file. Each stage can correspond to a different environment (e.g.,
development, staging, production).

Steps:

1. Define separate stages for each environment.

2. Use environment-specific variables or deployment conditions to manage each stage.

Example YAML:

stages:
- stage: Build
jobs:
- job: BuildApp
steps:
- script: echo "Building the app..."
- stage: DeployToDev
jobs:
- job: DeployApp
 steps:
- script: echo "Deploying to Development..."
- stage: DeployToProd
dependsOn: DeployToDev
jobs:
- job: DeployApp
steps:
- script: echo "Deploying to Production..."
Example Use Case: You are deploying an application to multiple environments. The pipeline first
builds the application, then deploys it to the development environment for testing. After testing, the
pipeline deploys the application to production, ensuring a controlled and automated release process.

116. How do you enforce security best practices in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Security best practices in Azure Pipelines ensure that sensitive data, access controls, and
code quality are managed securely throughout the CI/CD process.

Best Practices:

1. Secure access to pipelines using Azure Active Directory (AAD) and role-based access control
(RBAC).

2. Store secrets in Azure Key Vault and avoid hardcoding sensitive information in pipeline YAML
files.

3. Run security scans using tools like SonarQube, OWASP ZAP, or WhiteSource to detect
vulnerabilities in the code.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: AzureKeyVault@1
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
keyVaultName: '<key-vault-name>'
secretsFilter: '<secret-name>'

Example Use Case: You are developing a financial application that must adhere to strict security
guidelines. By using Azure Key Vault for secrets management, running SonarQube for code analysis,
and controlling access to pipelines through RBAC, you ensure that your CI/CD pipeline follows
security best practices.

117. How do you set up branch-based triggers in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Branch-based triggers in Azure Pipelines allow you to define which branches should trigger
a pipeline run when code changes are pushed.

Steps:

1. Define triggers for specific branches in the pipeline YAML.

2. Exclude or include branches based on your CI/CD strategy.

Example YAML:

trigger:
branches:
include:
- main
exclude:
- feature/*

Example Use Case: You are working on a project with multiple branches. You want the pipeline to
trigger automatically when changes are pushed to the main branch but exclude feature branches.
This ensures that only important branches trigger the CI/CD process.

118. How do you use Helm charts in Azure Pipelines to deploy Kubernetes applications?

Answer: Helm is a package manager for Kubernetes that helps define, install, and upgrade
Kubernetes applications. Azure Pipelines can deploy applications to a Kubernetes cluster using Helm
charts.

Steps:

1. Use the HelmInstaller task to install Helm on the agent.

2. Use the HelmDeploy task to deploy Helm charts to the Kubernetes cluster.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: HelmInstaller@1
inputs:
helmVersionToInstall: 'latest'
- task: HelmDeploy@0
inputs:
connectionType: 'Kubernetes Service Connection'
kubernetesServiceEndpoint: '<service-connection>'
chartType: 'FilePath'
chartPath: 'path/to/chart'

Example Use Case: You are deploying a microservice application to an AKS (Azure Kubernetes
Service) cluster using Helm. The Helm chart defines the deployment configuration, and the Azure
Pipeline uses Helm to apply the chart and deploy the application to the cluster.

119. How do you integrate Azure Monitor with Azure Pipelines to track performance metrics?
Answer: Azure Monitor provides real-time data and insights into the health and performance of
Azure resources. By integrating Azure Monitor with Azure Pipelines, you can track performance
metrics and set up alerts based on certain thresholds.

Steps:

1. Set up Azure Monitor Alerts to track metrics like CPU usage, error rates, or response times.

2. Use Azure Monitor gates in your pipeline to check metrics before proceeding with
deployments.

Example YAML:

gates:
evaluationOptions:
timeout: '5m'
samplingInterval: '1m'
gates:
- azureMonitor:
condition: 'avg(failureRate) < 5%'
Example Use Case: You are deploying a web application to production and want to ensure that the
error rate stays below 5% before proceeding with the deployment. By integrating Azure Monitor with
your pipeline, you can halt the deployment if the error rate exceeds the defined threshold,
preventing issues from affecting production.

120. How do you configure build validation for pull requests in Azure Repos?

Answer: Build validation ensures that code changes in a pull request are built and tested before
being merged into the main branch. This prevents broken code from being merged.

Steps:

1. Set up a pipeline trigger for pull requests in the YAML.

2. Use branch policies in Azure Repos to require successful build validation before merging.

Example YAML:

pr:
branches:
include:
- '*'
Example Use Case: You are working on a large project with multiple contributors. To ensure code
quality, you configure build validation for all pull requests. When a pull request is opened, the
pipeline automatically builds and tests the changes, preventing untested code from being merged
into the main branch.

121. How do you create and manage release approvals in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Release approvals in Azure Pipelines ensure that a deployment to certain environments
(e.g., production) requires manual approval before proceeding. This adds a layer of control over
deployments to critical environments.
Steps:

1. Set up pre-deployment approvals in the pipeline YAML or release pipeline settings.

2. Assign approvers who must approve the deployment before it proceeds.

Example YAML:

stages:
- stage: Deploy
environment:
name: 'Production'
approval:
pending:
approvals:
- users:
- '[email protected]'
- '[email protected]'
Example Use Case: You are deploying a critical application to production and want to ensure that the
deployment is reviewed by key stakeholders before going live. By configuring release approvals, the
pipeline pauses after testing and requires manual approval from the stakeholders before proceeding
to production.

122. How do you handle deployment retries in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Deployment retries in Azure Pipelines help recover from transient issues (e.g., network
failures, temporary resource unavailability) without failing the entire pipeline.

Steps:

1. Use the retryCount parameter to define how many times a task should retry if it fails.

2. You can also use continueOnError to allow the pipeline to proceed even if a specific task
fails.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: AzureWebApp@1
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
appName: '<app-name>'
package: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/**/*.zip'
retryCount: 3
continueOnError: false

Example Use Case: You are deploying an application to Azure App Service, and sometimes the
deployment fails due to temporary network issues. By configuring retries, the task will attempt the
deployment up to three times before failing, improving the reliability of your pipeline.

123. How do you secure access to Azure DevOps pipelines using role-based access control (RBAC)?
Answer: Role-based access control (RBAC) in Azure DevOps helps manage access to pipelines,
repositories, and other resources by assigning roles to users and groups.

Steps:

1. Use Azure Active Directory (AAD) to manage users and groups.

2. Assign users to specific roles (e.g., Reader, Contributor, Administrator) based on their
responsibilities.

Example Use Case: You are working on a project where different team members have different
responsibilities. You assign the development team the Contributor role, allowing them to edit
pipelines, while assigning the operations team the Reader role, allowing them to view pipeline
results without making changes.

124. How do you manage pipeline variables across multiple stages in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Pipeline variables allow you to pass values between stages and jobs. These variables can be
defined globally or at the stage level, and they can store environment-specific configurations, secrets,
or other important data.

Steps:

1. Define global variables in the variables section of the pipeline YAML for use across all stages.

2. Override or define stage-specific variables for different environments.

Example YAML:

variables:
globalVar: 'Global Value'

stages:
- stage: Build
jobs:
- job: BuildApp
steps:
- script: echo "GlobalVar is $(globalVar)"
- stage: Deploy
variables:
deployVar: 'Stage-specific Value'
jobs:
- job: DeployApp
steps:
- script: echo "DeployVar is $(deployVar)"

Example Use Case: You are working on a multi-environment deployment pipeline. The pipeline
needs to use different configurations for each stage. By defining global variables and stage-specific
variables, you ensure that the correct values are used at each stage of the pipeline.
125. How do you trigger an Azure DevOps pipeline from another pipeline?

Answer: You can trigger an Azure DevOps pipeline from another pipeline using pipeline triggers or
the Azure DevOps REST API. This is useful for scenarios where pipelines depend on the output of
other pipelines.

Steps:

1. Use the resources section in the YAML to define pipeline triggers.

2. Use the Azure DevOps REST API to trigger a pipeline programmatically.

Example YAML:

resources:
pipelines:
- pipeline: 'MyOtherPipeline'
source: 'OtherPipeline'
trigger: true

Example Use Case: You have a pipeline that builds a shared library and another pipeline that uses
this library to build an application. You configure the application pipeline to automatically trigger
whenever the library pipeline completes, ensuring that the latest version of the library is always
used.

126. How do you handle timeouts for long-running tasks in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Long-running tasks in Azure Pipelines can cause the pipeline to hang or exceed time limits.
You can manage this by setting timeouts for specific tasks or jobs.

Steps:

1. Use the timeoutInMinutes parameter to specify a timeout for a task or job.

2. Configure timeouts globally for the entire pipeline or at the job level.

Example YAML:

jobs:
- job: Build
timeoutInMinutes: 60
steps:
- script: echo "Running a long-running build process"
Example Use Case: You are running a complex build process that can sometimes take more than an
hour. To prevent the pipeline from running indefinitely, you configure a timeout of 60 minutes. If the
build doesn’t complete within this time, the pipeline fails, ensuring that long-running tasks are
handled efficiently.

127. How do you secure pipeline secrets in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Secrets in Azure Pipelines (e.g., API keys, passwords, certificates) should be stored securely
and not exposed in the pipeline logs or YAML files. You can secure secrets by using the Azure Key
Vault or marking variables as secrets.

Steps:

1. Use Azure Key Vault to store and retrieve secrets in the pipeline.

2. Mark pipeline variables as secret in the pipeline settings or YAML file.

Example YAML:

variables:
- name: mySecretVar
value: $(mySecretValue)
isSecret: true

steps:
- script: echo "Using a secret value"
env:
SECRET_KEY: $(mySecretVar)

Example Use Case: You are deploying an application that requires an API key for authentication with
a third-party service. To prevent the API key from being exposed, you store it in Azure Key Vault and
retrieve it securely in the pipeline, ensuring that sensitive data is not visible in the logs or YAML files.

128. How do you implement a zero-downtime deployment in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: A zero-downtime deployment ensures that your application remains available to users
while new versions are being deployed. This can be achieved using techniques like blue-green
deployment, canary deployment, or rolling deployments.

Steps:

1. Use deployment slots in Azure App Services or a similar environment to deploy the new
version while the old version is still running.

2. Gradually switch traffic to the new version using Azure Traffic Manager or Application
Gateway.

Example Use Case: You are deploying a high-traffic e-commerce website and need to ensure zero
downtime during deployments. By using deployment slots and gradually switching traffic to the new
version, you ensure that users are not affected by the deployment process, reducing the risk of
service disruption.
129. How do you implement pipeline failure notifications in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: You can configure Azure Pipelines to send notifications when a pipeline fails, keeping the
team informed about issues. Notifications can be sent via email, Microsoft Teams, Slack, or other
tools.

Steps:

1. Use Azure DevOps Notifications to send email alerts when a pipeline fails.

2. Set up service hooks to send failure notifications to third-party services like Slack or
Microsoft Teams.

Example Use Case: You are managing a critical CI/CD pipeline for a financial application. To ensure
timely resolution of issues, you configure the pipeline to send notifications to a dedicated Slack
channel whenever a failure occurs, keeping the entire team informed in real-time.

130. How do you use pipeline templates in Azure Pipelines for code reuse?

Answer: Pipeline templates in Azure Pipelines allow you to define reusable sections of pipeline code
that can be shared across multiple pipelines, improving maintainability and reducing duplication.

Steps:

1. Create a YAML template with reusable pipeline steps.

2. Reference the template in other pipeline YAML files using the template keyword.

Example Template (build-template.yaml):

parameters:
- name: buildConfiguration
type: string
default: 'Release'

steps:
- script: echo "Building in $(buildConfiguration) mode"
Example Pipeline Using the Template:

stages:
- stage: Build
jobs:
- template: build-template.yaml
parameters:
buildConfiguration: 'Debug'
Example Use Case: You are working on multiple microservices that share a similar build process.
Instead of duplicating the same steps in every pipeline, you create a reusable pipeline template that
can be referenced in each project, ensuring consistency and reducing maintenance efforts.
131. How do you manage self-hosted agents in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Self-hosted agents in Azure Pipelines are agents that you manage yourself, allowing for
more control over the environment and installed software. Self-hosted agents are useful when you
need custom tools, specific configurations, or access to on-premise resources.

Steps:

1. Set up a self-hosted agent by installing the Azure Pipelines agent on your machine.

2. Register the agent with Azure DevOps and assign it to an agent pool.

Example Use Case: You are working on a project that requires access to on-premise databases, which
are not accessible from Microsoft-hosted agents. You set up a self-hosted agent on your internal
network and configure the pipeline to use this agent, ensuring the necessary network access for
database connections.

132. How do you handle deployment to multiple cloud providers (Azure, AWS, GCP) using Azure
Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Pipelines supports deploying to multiple cloud providers, including Azure, AWS, and
Google Cloud (GCP). This is useful for multi-cloud strategies or projects that span multiple cloud
environments.

Steps:

1. Set up service connections for each cloud provider (Azure, AWS, GCP).

2. Use tasks specific to each cloud provider (e.g., AzureWebApp, AWSCLI,

GCPDeploymentManager) in the pipeline.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: AzureCLI@2
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
scriptType: 'bash'
scriptLocation: 'inlineScript'
inlineScript: 'az webapp deploy --name myapp --src-path $(Pipeline.Workspace)/myapp.zip'

- task: AWSShellScript@1
inputs:
awsCredentials: '<aws-service-connection>'
scriptType: 'inline'
inlineScript: 'aws s3 cp myapp.zip s3://mybucket'

Example Use Case: You are deploying an application that runs on both Azure and AWS. The Azure
Pipelines pipeline deploys the application to Azure App Services using AzureCLI and uploads the
same package to AWS S3 using AWSShellScript. This ensures that your application is deployed to
both cloud environments in a single pipeline.
133. How do you handle conditional tasks in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Conditional tasks in Azure Pipelines allow you to control whether a specific task runs based
on certain conditions, such as branch, environment, or the outcome of previous tasks.

Steps:

1. Use the condition keyword in the pipeline YAML to specify when a task should run.

2. Conditions can be based on variables, previous task outcomes, or custom logic.

Example YAML:

steps:
- script: echo "Deploying only on main branch"
condition: eq(variables['Build.SourceBranch'], 'refs/heads/main')

Example Use Case: You are working on a deployment pipeline where production deployments should
only happen when the main branch is updated. By using conditional tasks, you ensure that the
deployment step is only executed for the main branch, preventing accidental deployments from
other branches.

134. How do you implement gated check-ins using Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Gated check-ins ensure that code is built and tested before it is committed to the
repository. This prevents broken or untested code from entering the main branch.

Steps:

1. Set up branch policies in Azure Repos to require gated check-ins.

2. Create a build pipeline that validates the code before allowing the check-in.

Example Use Case: You are working on a large project with multiple developers. To ensure that only
high-quality code is merged into the main branch, you set up gated check-ins. Developers must
submit their changes to a build pipeline, which compiles and tests the code before allowing the
check-in.

135. How do you implement code coverage in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Code coverage measures the percentage of your code that is tested by automated tests.
Azure Pipelines can generate code coverage reports and display them as part of the pipeline results.

Steps:

1. Add tasks to run tests and generate code coverage reports (e.g., using dotnet test or npm
test).

2. Use PublishCodeCoverageResults to upload the coverage reports to Azure Pipelines.

Example YAML:
steps:
- task: DotNetCoreCLI@2
inputs:
command: 'test'
projects: '**/*.csproj'
arguments: '--collect "Code Coverage"'
- task: PublishCodeCoverageResults@1
inputs:
codeCoverageTool: 'Cobertura'
summaryFileLocation: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/**/coverage.cobertura.xml'

Example Use Case: You are developing a .NET Core application and want to ensure that your tests
cover a significant portion of the codebase. The pipeline runs tests and collects code coverage data,
which is then published to Azure Pipelines. This gives you visibility into the coverage of your tests and
helps identify untested code.

136. How do you handle parallel jobs in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Parallel jobs in Azure Pipelines allow you to run multiple jobs or tasks simultaneously,
improving the performance and efficiency of your pipeline.

Steps:

1. Define multiple jobs in the YAML file. By default, jobs run in parallel.

2. Use the strategy keyword to configure parallelism within a single job.

Example YAML:

jobs:
- job: Build
steps:
- script: echo "Building..."
- job: Test
steps:
- script: echo "Running tests..."

Example Use Case: You are working on a large application with multiple services. Instead of building
and testing each service sequentially, you configure parallel jobs to run the build and test steps for
each service simultaneously. This reduces the overall pipeline execution time.

137. How do you configure time-based triggers in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Time-based triggers in Azure Pipelines allow you to schedule pipelines to run at specific
times or intervals, independent of code changes. This is useful for tasks like nightly builds or weekly
deployments.

Steps:

1. Use the schedules section in the pipeline YAML to define the schedule.
 2. Set the cron expression for the desired schedule.

Example YAML:

schedules:
- cron: "0 2 * * 1" # Runs at 2 AM every Monday
displayName: 'Weekly Build'
branches:
include:
- main
Example Use Case: You are managing a project that requires a nightly build for integration testing. By
setting up a time-based trigger, the pipeline automatically runs at 2 AM every night, compiling the
latest code and running tests to ensure that the project is always in a working state.

138. How do you deploy to on-premise environments using Azure Pipelines?

Answer: You can deploy to on-premise environments using Azure Pipelines by using self-hosted
agents. These agents run on your on-premise infrastructure and allow the pipeline to interact with
your internal resources.

Steps:

1. Set up a self-hosted agent on your on-premise environment.

2. Configure the pipeline to use the self-hosted agent for deployment tasks.

Example Use Case: You are deploying a web application to on-premise servers within your
organization’s network. By setting up a self-hosted agent on the same network, you allow the Azure
Pipelines pipeline to deploy directly to the on-premise servers, automating the deployment process
for internal infrastructure.

139. How do you manage build dependencies in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Managing build dependencies in Azure Pipelines ensures that pipelines wait for or trigger
other pipelines, based on the output of previous builds.

Steps:

1. Use pipeline triggers to define dependencies between pipelines.

2. Use artifacts to pass outputs from one pipeline to another.

Example YAML:

resources:

pipelines:

- pipeline: 'LibraryPipeline'
 source: 'LibraryRepo'

trigger: true

Example Use Case: You have a library project and an application that depends on the library. The
application pipeline is configured to automatically trigger when the library pipeline completes,
ensuring that the application always uses the latest version of the library.

140. How do you use YAML templates for pipeline jobs in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: YAML templates in Azure Pipelines allow you to define reusable sections of pipeline code
that can be shared across multiple jobs or pipelines.

Steps:

1. Create a YAML template with reusable job definitions.

2. Reference the template in other pipelines using the template keyword.

Example Template (job-template.yaml):

parameters:
- name: jobName
type: string
default: 'Build'

jobs:
- job: $(jobName)
steps:
- script: echo "Running job $(jobName)"
Example Pipeline Using the Template:

jobs:
- template: job-template.yaml
parameters:
jobName: 'BuildApp'
Example Use Case: You are managing multiple projects that share similar build processes. By defining
a reusable job template, you can reference it in each project’s pipeline, ensuring consistency and
reducing duplication in your CI/CD pipelines.

141. How do you use pool in Azure Pipelines to control where jobs run?

Answer: The pool keyword in Azure Pipelines specifies the agent pool where the jobs or tasks will
run. You can choose between Microsoft-hosted and self-hosted pools, or specify specific pools based
on the environment or capabilities required.

Steps:

1. Use the pool keyword to specify the desired agent pool.

2. Define demands if specific agent capabilities are required.

Example YAML:
jobs:
- job: Build
pool:
vmImage: 'ubuntu-latest'
steps:
- script: echo "Building on Ubuntu"
Example Use Case: You are working on a cross-platform application that needs to be built on both
Windows and Linux. By specifying different agent pools for each platform, you ensure that the
pipeline runs the build tasks on the appropriate environment for each platform.

142. How do you configure pipeline approval gates for environments in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Approval gates in Azure Pipelines allow you to pause a pipeline at specific stages, requiring
manual approval before proceeding. This adds an extra layer of control, especially for critical
environments like production.

Steps:

1. Set up pre-deployment approvals in the pipeline YAML or in the environment settings.

2. Define approvers who must approve the deployment before it proceeds.

Example YAML:

stages:
- stage: DeployToProd
environment:
name: 'Production'
approval:
pending:
approvals:
- users:
- '[email protected]'
Example Use Case: You are deploying a business-critical application to the production environment.
Before the deployment can proceed, it must be approved by the IT manager. By configuring pipeline
approval gates, the pipeline pauses until the approval is granted, ensuring that critical deployments
are carefully reviewed.

143. How do you trigger Azure Pipelines from GitHub Actions?

Answer: You can trigger Azure Pipelines from GitHub Actions by using the Azure Pipelines REST API
or by setting up service hooks to communicate between the two systems.

Steps:

1. Use the Azure Pipelines REST API to trigger a pipeline from GitHub Actions.

2. Alternatively, use GitHub Actions’ built-in support for Azure Pipelines tasks.

Example GitHub Action:

jobs:
 trigger-azure-pipeline:
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
steps:
- name: Trigger Azure Pipeline
run: |
curl -X POST \
-u user:PAT \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"definition": {"id": 1}}' \
https://dev.azure.com/organization/project/_apis/build/builds?api-version=6.0
Example Use Case: You are working on a project hosted on GitHub, but you want to use Azure
Pipelines for your CI/CD process. By setting up a GitHub Action to trigger an Azure Pipeline, you can
integrate the two systems and use Azure Pipelines for building and deploying your GitHub-hosted
code.

144. How do you run integration tests in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Integration tests ensure that different components of your application work together as
expected. In Azure Pipelines, you can run integration tests as part of the CI/CD process by adding test
tasks to the pipeline.

Steps:

1. Add tasks to set up the environment required for integration testing (e.g., starting services
or databases).

2. Run the integration tests using your preferred testing framework.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: UseDotNet@2
inputs:
packageType: 'sdk'
version: '5.x'
- task: DotNetCoreCLI@2
inputs:
command: 'test'
projects: '**/*.csproj'
arguments: '--filter Category=Integration'
Example Use Case: You are developing a web application with a backend API and a front-end. As part
of the pipeline, you run integration tests to ensure that the front-end can communicate with the API,
and that both components work together as expected.

145. How do you configure Azure DevOps to deploy to Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can deploy applications to Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) using
Kubernetes manifests or Helm charts. You need to set up a Kubernetes service connection and use
the Kubernetes@1 task or Helm to manage deployments.

Steps:
 1. Set up a Kubernetes service connection in Azure DevOps.

2. Use the Kubernetes@1 task or Helm to deploy your application to AKS.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: Kubernetes@1
inputs:
kubernetesServiceConnection: '<service-connection>'
namespace: 'default'
command: 'apply'
arguments: '-f deployment.yaml'
Example Use Case: You are deploying a microservice to AKS using Kubernetes manifests. The Azure
Pipelines pipeline applies the deployment.yaml file to the AKS cluster, ensuring that the latest version
of your microservice is deployed to the Kubernetes environment.

146. How do you configure artifact retention policies in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Artifact retention policies in Azure Pipelines control how long build and release artifacts are
kept before being automatically deleted. This helps manage storage usage and keep your pipeline
clean.

Steps:

1. Set up retention policies in the pipeline YAML or in the pipeline settings.

2. Define how long artifacts should be retained based on the branch, status, or other
conditions.

Example YAML:

jobs:
- job: Build
steps:
- script: echo "Building..."
retention:
artifacts: 10 # Keep artifacts for 10 days
Example Use Case: You are working on a project with multiple pipelines and want to avoid excessive
storage costs. By configuring artifact retention policies, you ensure that old artifacts are
automatically deleted after 10 days, keeping the pipeline environment clean and cost-effective.

147. How do you use the dependsOn keyword to control pipeline flow in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: The dependsOn keyword in Azure Pipelines allows you to define dependencies between
stages or jobs. This ensures that certain stages or jobs only run after others have completed.

Steps:

1. Use the dependsOn keyword in the pipeline YAML to specify which stages or jobs must
complete before a stage or job runs.
Example YAML:

stages:
- stage: Build
jobs:
- job: BuildApp
- stage: Deploy
dependsOn: Build
jobs:
- job: DeployApp
Example Use Case: You are developing a multi-stage pipeline for a web application. The Deploy stage
should only run after the Build stage completes successfully. By using dependsOn, you control the
flow of the pipeline and ensure that deployment only happens after a successful build.

148. How do you implement branch policies in Azure DevOps for code quality control?

Answer: Branch policies in Azure DevOps enforce rules to protect your code and maintain quality.
You can configure policies such as requiring pull request reviews, build validation, and enforcing code
coverage.

Steps:

1. Set up branch policies in Azure Repos to require pull request reviews, build validation, or
other rules.

2. Configure build validation to run tests and code quality checks before merging.

Example Use Case: You are working on a project where code quality is critical. To ensure that only
well-tested code is merged into the main branch, you configure branch policies that require a
successful build and at least two peer reviews before allowing a pull request to be merged.

149. How do you use Azure Pipelines to deploy Azure Functions?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can deploy Azure Functions using the AzureFunctionApp@1 task. This
automates the deployment of serverless functions to Azure.

Steps:

1. Use the AzureFunctionApp@1 task in the pipeline to deploy Azure Functions.

2. Specify the function app name and package path in the task inputs.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: AzureFunctionApp@1
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
appName: '<function-app-name>'
package: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/**/*.zip'
Example Use Case: You are developing an event-driven application using Azure Functions. The
pipeline automatically builds and deploys the function code to Azure Functions, ensuring that the
latest version of your serverless code is always deployed.

150. How do you use retention in Azure Pipelines to manage build and release retention policies?

Answer: The retention keyword in Azure Pipelines allows you to specify how long builds, releases,
and their associated logs and artifacts should be retained.

Steps:

1. Use the retention keyword in the pipeline YAML to define retention policies for jobs and
stages.

2. Specify conditions for retention based on build success, branch, or other criteria.

Example YAML:

jobs:
- job: Build
retention:
days: 30 # Retain build for 30 days
steps:
- script: echo "Building..."
Example Use Case: You are managing a large project with frequent builds and want to avoid
excessive storage costs. By configuring retention policies, you ensure that only the last 30 days of
build artifacts and logs are retained, keeping the pipeline environment clean and reducing storage
usage.

151. How do you automate the deployment of Azure App Service using Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can automate the deployment of web applications to Azure App Service
using the AzureWebApp@1 task. This task simplifies deploying your application directly to Azure.

Steps:

1. Use the AzureWebApp@1 task in your pipeline YAML file.

2. Specify the Azure subscription, App Service name, and package path.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: AzureWebApp@1
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
appName: '<app-name>'
package: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/**/*.zip'
Example Use Case: You are deploying a Node.js web application to Azure App Service. The pipeline
builds the application, creates a zip package, and deploys it to the App Service using the
AzureWebApp@1 task.

152. What is a service connection in Azure DevOps, and how do you create one?

Answer: A service connection in Azure DevOps allows you to securely authenticate and access
external services like Azure, AWS, GitHub, or Kubernetes from within your pipelines.

Steps to Create a Service Connection:

1. Go to Project Settings > Service Connections in Azure DevOps.

2. Click New service connection and select the type of service (e.g., Azure Resource Manager,
Docker Registry).

3. Provide the necessary credentials (e.g., service principal, client secret) to create the
connection.

Example Use Case: You need to deploy your web application to Azure App Services. By creating a
service connection with your Azure subscription, the pipeline can securely deploy resources without
manually providing credentials in the pipeline definition.

153. How do you secure sensitive data in Azure Pipelines using variable groups?

Answer: Variable groups in Azure Pipelines store sensitive information such as passwords, API keys,
and other secrets securely. These can be linked to pipelines for reuse across multiple pipelines and
stages.

Steps to Secure Sensitive Data:

1. Go to Library in Azure Pipelines and create a variable group.

2. Add variables, marking sensitive variables as secret.

3. Reference the variable group in your pipeline.

Example YAML:

variables:

- group: 'MyVariableGroup'

Example Use Case: You have an API key that should be used across multiple pipelines but must
remain secure. By creating a variable group and marking the API key as a secret, you ensure that the
value is not exposed in logs or code.

154. How do you implement code coverage tracking in Azure Pipelines for a .NET Core project?

Answer: Code coverage in Azure Pipelines helps track how much of your code is tested by automated
tests. You can use tools like Cobertura or JaCoCo to collect code coverage data and report it.
Steps:

1. Add a task to run tests and collect code coverage data using dotnet test.

2. Use the PublishCodeCoverageResults@1 task to publish the code coverage results.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: DotNetCoreCLI@2
inputs:
command: 'test'
projects: '**/*.csproj'
arguments: '--collect "Code Coverage"'
- task: PublishCodeCoverageResults@1
inputs:
codeCoverageTool: 'Cobertura'
summaryFileLocation: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/**/coverage.cobertura.xml'
Example Use Case: You are working on a .NET Core project and want to ensure that your unit tests
cover at least 80% of the codebase. By enabling code coverage tracking, the pipeline automatically
calculates and reports the coverage percentage.

155. How do you automate Azure SQL Database schema updates using Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can automate Azure SQL Database schema updates using Entity Framework
migrations or by running SQL scripts directly.

Steps:

1. Use Entity Framework CLI or SQL scripts in the pipeline.

2. Set up AzureCLI@2 or SqlAzureDacpacDeployment@1 tasks to apply database updates.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: SqlAzureDacpacDeployment@1
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
serverName: '<server-name>.database.windows.net'
databaseName: '<database-name>'
sqlUsername: '<sql-username>'
sqlPassword: '<sql-password>'
package: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)/database.dacpac'

Example Use Case: You are deploying a new version of your application, and it requires changes to
the Azure SQL Database schema. The pipeline automatically applies the necessary schema updates
using SQL scripts or DACPAC files.

156. How do you use matrix strategy in Azure Pipelines for cross-platform testing?
Answer: A matrix strategy in Azure Pipelines allows you to run jobs with different configurations
(e.g., operating systems, versions, environments) in parallel.

Steps:

1. Define a matrix in your YAML file for the job.

2. Specify different configurations (e.g., different operating systems or environments).

Example YAML:

jobs:
- job: TestMatrix
strategy:
matrix:
linux:
vmImage: 'ubuntu-latest'
windows:
vmImage: 'windows-latest'
steps:
- script: echo "Running on $(vmImage)"

Example Use Case: You are building an application that needs to be tested on both Linux and
Windows environments. The matrix strategy allows you to run tests in parallel on both operating
systems, speeding up the testing process.

157. How do you trigger a pipeline when changes are made to a specific path in Azure Repos?

Answer: You can configure path filters in Azure Pipelines to trigger a pipeline when changes are
made to specific files or directories within the repository.

Steps:

1. Use the trigger keyword to define paths that should trigger the pipeline.

2. Include or exclude paths based on your requirements.

Example YAML:

trigger:
branches:
include:
- main
paths:
include:
- src/*
exclude:
- docs/*
Example Use Case: You want to trigger a build pipeline only when changes are made to the src/
directory, not when documentation is updated. By setting up path filters, the pipeline runs only when
code changes occur.
158. How do you set up scheduled pipeline runs in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Scheduled pipeline runs allow you to automate tasks (like builds or deployments) at regular
intervals, independent of code changes.

Steps:

1. Use the schedules keyword in the pipeline YAML to define when the pipeline should run.

2. Use cron expressions to specify the schedule.

Example YAML:

schedules:
- cron: "0 2 * * 1" # Run every Monday at 2 AM
displayName: 'Weekly Build'
branches:
include:
- main
Example Use Case: You want to run a build pipeline every Monday at 2 AM to ensure that the
codebase is stable for the week. Using a scheduled pipeline ensures that the process runs
automatically, regardless of code changes.

159. How do you configure test impact analysis in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Test impact analysis runs only the tests that are likely affected by the recent changes, which
helps reduce build times by skipping unaffected tests.

Steps:

1. Enable test impact analysis in the Azure Test Plan or Azure Pipelines settings.

2. Use the VSTest@2 task to execute the tests with test impact analysis enabled.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: VSTest@2
inputs:
testSelector: 'TestAssemblies'
testAssemblyVer2: '**\*test.dll'
testFiltercriteria: 'FullyQualifiedName~UnitTest'
runOnlyImpactedTests: true
Example Use Case: You have a large test suite, and running all the tests during every build takes too
much time. By enabling test impact analysis, the pipeline automatically selects and runs only the
tests impacted by recent code changes, speeding up the CI process.

160. How do you monitor Azure Pipelines with Azure Monitor and Application Insights?

Answer: Azure Monitor and Application Insights provide real-time monitoring for your pipeline and
application health. Azure Pipelines can be integrated with these services to monitor deployment
success, application performance, and failures.
Steps:

1. Enable Azure Monitor and Application Insights in your Azure resources.

2. Set up Azure Pipelines gates to monitor metrics before proceeding with deployments.

Example YAML:

gates:
evaluationOptions:
timeout: '5m'
samplingInterval: '1m'
gates:
- azureMonitor:
condition: 'avg(failureRate) < 5%'
Example Use Case: You want to ensure that your deployment pipeline only proceeds if the
application's error rate is below 5%. By integrating Azure Monitor and Application Insights with Azure
Pipelines, the pipeline evaluates real-time metrics and halts if the threshold is exceeded.

161. How do you implement blue-green deployment using Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Blue-green deployment involves having two identical production environments (blue and
green), where one serves live traffic, and the other is updated with the new version. After testing,
traffic is switched to the updated environment.

Steps:

1. Set up two deployment slots (blue and green) in Azure App Service or similar environments.

2. Use AzureWebApp@1 or Kubernetes@1 tasks to deploy the new version to the inactive slot.

Example YAML:

stages:
- stage: DeployToGreen
jobs:
- deployment: GreenDeployment
steps:
- task: AzureWebApp@1
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
appName: '<app-name>'
slotName: 'green'
- stage: SwapSlots
dependsOn: DeployToGreen
jobs:
- task: AzureCLI@2
inputs:
scriptType: 'bash'
scriptLocation: 'inlineScript'
inlineScript: 'az webapp deployment slot swap --name <app-name> --slot green --target-slot
production'
Example Use Case: You want to update a production application without downtime. The pipeline
deploys the new version to the green slot, runs tests, and then swaps the traffic from the blue slot to
the green slot once testing is complete.

162. How do you set up approvals and gates for production deployments in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Approvals and gates ensure that critical deployments (like to production) are reviewed and
approved before they proceed. You can configure manual approvals and automated checks to
enforce quality and security.

Steps:

1. Configure pre-deployment approvals in your pipeline for the production stage.

2. Set up gates for additional checks like monitoring or security validation.

Example YAML:

stages:
- stage: DeployToProd
environment:
name: 'Production'
approval:
pending:
approvals:
- users:
- '[email protected]'
gates:
preDeploy:
- azureMonitor:
condition: 'avg(failureRate) < 0.05'
Example Use Case: You are deploying a financial application to production and need both approval
from a manager and confirmation that the application’s error rate is low before proceeding.
Approvals and gates ensure the deployment only happens after these conditions are met.

163. How do you implement release pipelines for microservices in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: A microservices architecture involves independently deploying multiple services. Azure

Pipelines supports managing multiple release pipelines for each service and can coordinate
deployments across services.

Steps:

1. Create separate pipelines for each microservice.

2. Use pipeline dependencies or triggers to coordinate deployments between services.

Example YAML:

resources:
 pipelines:
- pipeline: 'ServiceAPipeline'
source: 'ServiceA'
trigger: true
- pipeline: 'ServiceBPipeline'
source: 'ServiceB'
trigger: true
Example Use Case: You are managing multiple microservices, each with its own release cycle. By
setting up individual pipelines for each service and using pipeline triggers, you coordinate the release
of dependent services.

164. How do you handle long-running jobs in Azure Pipelines without timeouts?

Answer: You can manage long-running jobs in Azure Pipelines by configuring timeout settings or
breaking the job into smaller, manageable tasks to avoid timeouts.

Steps:

1. Use the timeoutInMinutes property to set a custom timeout for the job.

2. Break the job into multiple stages or tasks if possible.

Example YAML:

jobs:

- job: BuildAndDeploy

timeoutInMinutes: 180 # 3-hour timeout

steps:

- script: echo "Running a long task..."

Example Use Case: You have a data processing job that can take up to 3 hours to complete. Instead
of letting the pipeline fail due to timeouts, you configure a 3-hour timeout for the job, ensuring it has
enough time to finish.

165. How do you enforce branch protection policies in Azure DevOps?

Answer: Branch protection policies enforce rules to protect the main branches in Azure Repos. These
rules can include requiring code reviews, build validation, or minimum number of reviewers.

Steps:

1. Go to Branch Policies in Azure Repos and configure protection for specific branches.

2. Enforce required reviewers, build validation, and status checks before merges are allowed.

Example Use Case: You are working on a project with multiple developers, and to ensure code
quality, you enforce branch policies that require two reviewers and a successful build before any
changes can be merged into the main branch.
166. How do you deploy infrastructure using ARM templates in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates define infrastructure as code for Azure
resources. Azure Pipelines can deploy these templates automatically during the pipeline execution.

Steps:

1. Create an ARM template describing the infrastructure.

2. Use the AzureResourceManagerTemplateDeployment@3 task in your pipeline to deploy the

template.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: AzureResourceManagerTemplateDeployment@3

inputs:

deploymentScope: 'Resource Group'

azureResourceManagerConnection: '<service-connection>'

resourceGroupName: '<resource-group>'

location: '<location>'

templateLocation: 'Linked artifact'

csmFile: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/templates/azuredeploy.json'

csmParametersFile: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/templates/azuredeploy.parameters.json'

Example Use Case: You need to create an Azure Virtual Network, VMs, and Storage Accounts as part
of your deployment. Using ARM templates in the pipeline automates the infrastructure provisioning,
ensuring consistency across environments.

167. How do you run jobs on different agent pools in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Agent pools allow you to run jobs on different sets of agents based on the environment,
platform, or capabilities. You can specify different pools for different jobs in the pipeline.

Steps:

1. Use the pool keyword in the pipeline YAML to specify the agent pool for each job.

2. Define pools in Azure DevOps Project Settings if using self-hosted agents.

Example YAML:

jobs:
- job: BuildLinux
pool:
vmImage: 'ubuntu-latest'
 steps:
- script: echo "Building on Linux..."
- job: BuildWindows
pool:
vmImage: 'windows-latest'
steps:
- script: echo "Building on Windows..."
Example Use Case: You are building a cross-platform application that needs to be compiled on both
Linux and Windows. By specifying different agent pools, you ensure that each job runs on the correct
environment for the platform.

168. How do you deploy to AWS using Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can deploy to AWS by using the AWSCLI or AWS Tools for Azure DevOps
extensions. You need to configure AWS service connections and use AWS-specific tasks in the
pipeline.

Steps:

1. Set up an AWS service connection in Azure DevOps.

2. Use AWSCLI or AWS tools tasks to manage deployments.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: AWSShellScript@1
inputs:
awsCredentials: '<aws-service-connection>'
scriptType: 'inline'
inlineScript: 'aws s3 cp myapp.zip s3://mybucket'
Example Use Case: You are deploying a web application to AWS S3 for hosting as a static website.
The Azure Pipelines pipeline uploads the application files to an S3 bucket using the AWS CLI task.

169. How do you implement feature flags in Azure DevOps pipelines?

Answer: Feature flags allow you to control feature rollouts dynamically without redeploying code.
You can implement feature flag checks in your Azure Pipelines using feature management services
like LaunchDarkly or Azure App Configuration.

Steps:

1. Use Azure App Configuration or a third-party feature flag management tool.

2. Use pipeline tasks or scripts to toggle feature flags during deployment.

Example YAML (using Azure App Configuration):

steps:
- task: AzureAppConfiguration@1
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
 configStoreName: '<config-store-name>'
action: 'ToggleFeatureFlag'
key: 'BetaFeature'
toggleValue: 'on'
Example Use Case: You are deploying a new feature to a subset of users for testing. By using feature
flags, you can dynamically control who has access to the new feature without redeploying the
application.

170. How do you use the condition keyword for conditional execution in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: The condition keyword allows you to control whether a task or job should be executed
based on a condition, such as the success of previous tasks or the value of variables.

Steps:

1. Use the condition keyword to define the condition for running a task or job.

2. Conditions can be based on variables, previous task outcomes, or custom logic.

Example YAML:

steps:
- script: echo "Running only on the main branch"
condition: eq(variables['Build.SourceBranch'], 'refs/heads/main')
Example Use Case: You are running a deployment pipeline where deployments should only happen
on the main branch. By using a condition, you ensure that the deployment steps are skipped if the
pipeline is triggered from any other branch.

171. How do you pass parameters between stages in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Parameters in Azure Pipelines allow you to pass configuration values between stages or
reuse the same pipeline template with different values.

Steps:

1. Define parameters in the pipeline YAML or template.

2. Use the parameters keyword to pass values between stages or jobs.

Example YAML:

parameters:
- name: deployEnvironment
type: string
default: 'development'

stages:
- stage: Build
jobs:
- script: echo "Building for $(parameters.deployEnvironment)"
- stage: Deploy
jobs:
 - script: echo "Deploying to $(parameters.deployEnvironment)"
Example Use Case: You are deploying an application to multiple environments (development,
staging, production). By using parameters, you can reuse the same pipeline and pass different
environment values between stages for flexible and consistent deployments.

172. How do you configure Azure Pipelines to work with private GitHub repositories?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can access private GitHub repositories using service connections or GitHub
personal access tokens (PAT).

Steps:

1. Set up a service connection for GitHub in Azure DevOps.

2. Use a GitHub PAT for authentication if you prefer.

Example Use Case: You are working with a private GitHub repository and want Azure Pipelines to
trigger builds when changes are pushed. By setting up a service connection or using a GitHub PAT,
you securely connect Azure Pipelines to your private repository.

173. How do you automate the creation of Azure resources using Terraform in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can automate infrastructure provisioning using Terraform. You can define
your infrastructure in .tf files and apply them using the Terraform task in Azure Pipelines.

Steps:

1. Write Terraform code to describe your infrastructure.

2. Use the TerraformInstaller and TerraformTaskV2 tasks to apply the infrastructure.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: TerraformInstaller@0
inputs:
terraformVersion: 'latest'
- task: TerraformTaskV2@2
inputs:
command: 'apply'
workingDirectory: './terraform'
Example Use Case: You are managing Azure infrastructure for your project and want to automate the
creation of resources like virtual machines and networks. By using Terraform and Azure Pipelines,
you ensure that infrastructure is consistently provisioned across environments.

174. How do you implement pipeline retry logic for failed tasks in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Pipelines allows you to retry failed tasks automatically by configuring retryCount in
the task definition.

Steps:
 1. Use the retryCount property to specify the number of retry attempts for a task.

2. Use continueOnError if you want the pipeline to continue even if retries fail.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: AzureWebApp@1
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
appName: '<app-name>'
package: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/**/*.zip'
retryCount: 3
Example Use Case: You are deploying an application to Azure App Service, and sometimes the
deployment fails due to temporary network issues. By setting retry logic, the task retries the
deployment up to three times before failing the pipeline.

175. How do you enable multi-stage pipelines in Azure Pipelines for continuous delivery?

Answer: Multi-stage pipelines allow you to define and run multiple stages (e.g., build, test, deploy)
in a single YAML file. This is useful for continuous delivery and deployment scenarios.

Steps:

1. Define stages in the pipeline YAML to represent different phases (e.g., build, test, deploy).

2. Use dependencies to control the flow between stages.

Example YAML:

stages:
- stage: Build
jobs:
- script: echo "Building the app..."
- stage: Deploy
dependsOn: Build
jobs:
- script: echo "Deploying the app..."
Example Use Case: You are implementing a CI/CD pipeline for a web application that includes
separate stages for building, testing, and deploying. By using multi-stage pipelines, you can define
the entire lifecycle in a single YAML file, enabling continuous delivery.

176. How do you trigger a pipeline from another pipeline in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Pipelines allows you to trigger one pipeline from another using pipeline resources or
the REST API.

Steps:

1. Use the resources section to define pipeline dependencies and triggers.

2. Use the Azure DevOps REST API to trigger pipelines programmatically.

Example YAML:

resources:
pipelines:
- pipeline: 'LibraryPipeline'
source: 'LibraryRepo'
trigger: true
Example Use Case: You are working on a project where one pipeline builds a shared library, and
another pipeline uses that library. By setting up pipeline triggers, you ensure that the second pipeline
runs whenever the library is updated.

177. How do you integrate Jenkins with Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can be integrated with Jenkins to trigger builds or deployments in Jenkins or
to receive Jenkins build results in Azure Pipelines.

Steps:

1. Set up a Jenkins service hook in Azure DevOps.

2. Use Azure Pipelines tasks to trigger Jenkins jobs or get Jenkins build results.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: JenkinsQueueJob@1
inputs:
serverEndpoint: '<jenkins-service-connection>'
jobName: 'MyJenkinsJob'
Example Use Case: You have a Jenkins pipeline for building a legacy application and want to trigger
that Jenkins job from Azure Pipelines. By integrating Jenkins, Azure Pipelines can manage the full
CI/CD process, including legacy systems.

178. How do you configure cross-project builds in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Cross-project builds allow you to trigger and reference builds from other projects within the
same Azure DevOps organization.

Steps:

1. Use the resources section to define pipeline resources from another project.

2. Use pipeline artifacts to share outputs between projects.

Example YAML:

resources:
pipelines:
- pipeline: 'OtherProjectPipeline'
project: 'OtherProject'
trigger: true
Example Use Case: You are working on a large project where multiple teams are responsible for
different components. By setting up cross-project builds, you can trigger builds in other projects and
share build artifacts between teams.

179. How do you implement YAML pipelines for a monorepo in Azure DevOps?

Answer: A monorepo contains multiple projects or services in a single repository. Azure Pipelines
supports YAML pipelines for monorepos, where you can define different pipelines for each project.

Steps:

1. Use path filters to define different pipelines for different parts of the monorepo.

2. Create separate pipelines or stages for each service.

Example YAML:

trigger:
paths:
include:
- 'serviceA/*'
exclude:
- 'serviceB/*'

jobs:
- script: echo "Running Service A Pipeline"
Example Use Case: You have a monorepo containing multiple microservices, and each service needs
its own pipeline. By using path filters, you can define pipelines that run only when specific services
are modified, ensuring efficient builds and deployments.

180. How do you use Azure Pipelines for multi-cloud deployments across Azure, AWS, and GCP?

Answer: Azure Pipelines supports deploying to multiple cloud providers (Azure, AWS, GCP) by
configuring service connections and using cloud-specific tasks.

Steps:

1. Set up service connections for Azure, AWS, and GCP in Azure DevOps.

2. Use cloud-specific tasks like AzureCLI, AWSShellScript, or GCPDeploymentManager in the

pipeline.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: AzureCLI@2
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<azure-service-connection>'
scriptType: 'bash'
scriptLocation: 'inlineScript'
inlineScript: 'az webapp deploy --name myapp --src-path $(Pipeline.Workspace)/myapp.zip'
 - task: AWSShellScript@1
inputs:
awsCredentials: '<aws-service-connection>'
scriptType: 'inline'
inlineScript: 'aws s3 cp myapp.zip s3://mybucket'
Example Use Case: You are deploying a multi-cloud application that uses Azure App Services for the
front-end and AWS S3 for storage. By configuring service connections for both Azure and AWS, the
pipeline can deploy to both cloud providers in a single execution.

181. How do you configure approvals in Azure Pipelines for critical deployments?

Answer: Approvals in Azure Pipelines allow you to pause the deployment process until manual
approval is granted. This is commonly used for production deployments.

Steps:

1. Set up pre-deployment approvals in the pipeline YAML or environment settings.

2. Define the users or groups that must approve the deployment.

Example YAML:

stages:
- stage: Deploy
environment:
name: 'Production'
approval:
pending:
approvals:
- users:
- '[email protected]'
Example Use Case: You are deploying an application to production and want to ensure that the
release is manually approved by a manager before going live. By configuring approvals, the pipeline
pauses until the necessary approvals are granted.

182. How do you monitor the performance of Azure Pipelines?

Answer: You can monitor the performance of Azure Pipelines by using built-in analytics tools in Azure
DevOps, as well as external tools like Azure Monitor and Application Insights.

Steps:

1. Enable Pipeline Analytics in Azure DevOps to track success rates, pipeline duration, and
failure trends.

2. Use Azure Monitor to track performance and errors in deployed applications.

Example Use Case: You are managing a complex CI/CD pipeline and want to ensure it is running
efficiently. By enabling Pipeline Analytics, you can monitor pipeline duration, success rates, and
identify potential bottlenecks.
183. How do you configure self-hosted agents for specific pipelines in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Self-hosted agents give you more control over the environment and allow you to run
pipelines in your own infrastructure. You can configure specific pipelines to use these agents.

Steps:

1. Set up a self-hosted agent by installing the Azure Pipelines agent on your machine.

2. Use the pool keyword in your pipeline YAML to specify the self-hosted agent pool.

Example YAML:

jobs:
- job: Build
pool:
name: 'MySelfHostedPool'
steps:
- script: echo "Building on self-hosted agent"
Example Use Case: You have specific build requirements, such as older versions of software that are
not available on Microsoft-hosted agents. By setting up a self-hosted agent, you can ensure that your
pipeline runs in the correct environment with all the necessary tools installed.

184. How do you implement failure conditions in Azure Pipelines to stop a pipeline?

Answer: Failure conditions in Azure Pipelines allow you to stop a pipeline if certain conditions are
met, such as a failed task or an error in the logs.

Steps:

1. Use the condition keyword to define the failure conditions for tasks or stages.

2. Combine conditions with the failed() or canceled() functions.

Example YAML:

steps:
- script: echo "Stop if the previous task fails"
condition: failed()
Example Use Case: You are deploying an application, but if a pre-deployment check fails, the entire
pipeline should stop. By using the failed() condition, you ensure that no further steps are executed
after a failure.

185. How do you run tests in parallel in Azure Pipelines to reduce build time?

Answer: Running tests in parallel helps reduce build time by distributing the test workload across
multiple agents or jobs.

Steps:

1. Use the strategy keyword with the parallel option to configure parallel test execution.
 2. Distribute tests across multiple agents or jobs.

Example YAML:

jobs:
- job: Test
strategy:
parallel: 4
steps:
- script: echo "Running tests in parallel"
Example Use Case: You have a large test suite, and running the tests sequentially takes too much
time. By configuring parallel test execution, the tests are distributed across four agents, significantly
reducing the overall test time.

186. How do you integrate Azure Key Vault for secrets management in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can retrieve secrets from Azure Key Vault to securely manage sensitive data
such as passwords, API keys, and certificates during pipeline execution.

Steps:

1. Set up an Azure Key Vault service connection in Azure DevOps.

2. Use the AzureKeyVault@1 task in the pipeline to retrieve secrets.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: AzureKeyVault@1
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
keyVaultName: '<key-vault-name>'
secretsFilter: '<secret-name>'
Example Use Case: You are deploying an application that requires database credentials. Instead of
hardcoding the credentials in the pipeline, you store them in Azure Key Vault and retrieve them
securely during deployment, ensuring that sensitive data is not exposed.

187. How do you manage pipeline concurrency in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Pipeline concurrency controls how many pipeline runs or jobs can execute simultaneously,
which helps manage resource usage and avoid overloading systems.

Steps:

1. Use the limit setting to control the number of concurrent pipeline runs.

2. Limit concurrency at the job level to control parallel execution within a pipeline.

Example YAML:

jobs:
- job: Build
pool:
 demands: "Agent -equals windows"
timeoutInMinutes: 60
cancelTimeoutInMinutes: 5
Example Use Case: You are working on a project where multiple developers push changes frequently.
To avoid overwhelming the build system, you limit pipeline concurrency to ensure no more than
three builds run at the same time, improving system stability and resource utilization.

188. How do you implement a gated check-in process using Azure Pipelines?

Answer: A gated check-in process ensures that code is built and tested before it is committed to the
main branch. This prevents broken code from entering critical branches.

Steps to Implement Gated Check-In:

1. Enable Gated Check-In Policies: In Azure Repos, configure branch policies that require the
pipeline to pass before allowing code to be merged.

2. Configure the Build Pipeline: Ensure the pipeline runs tests and other checks before the
code is committed.

Example Use Case: You are working on a large team where it’s important to prevent breaking
changes from being merged into the main branch. By configuring a gated check-in policy, code is built
and tested before being merged, ensuring that only high-quality code reaches the production
environment.

189. How do you use conditionally executed steps in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Conditional execution in Azure Pipelines allows you to control whether certain steps run
based on conditions such as branch, environment, or previous task outcomes.

Steps to Use Conditional Steps:

1. Use the condition Keyword: Add the condition keyword to control whether the step
executes.

2. Base Conditions on Variables or Task Outcomes: You can check environment variables or the
success/failure of previous steps.

Example YAML:

steps:
- script: echo "Running on main branch"
condition: eq(variables['Build.SourceBranch'], 'refs/heads/main')
Example Use Case: You have a deployment pipeline where deployments to the production
environment should only occur if the build is triggered from the main branch. Using conditional
steps, you can ensure that the deployment step is only executed when the main branch is updated.

190. How do you integrate security scanning into Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Security scanning can be integrated into Azure Pipelines using tools like OWASP ZAP,
WhiteSource, or SonarQube. These tools can scan for vulnerabilities, outdated dependencies, and
insecure code.

Steps to Integrate Security Scans:

1. Add Security Scanning Tools to Pipeline: Add a task in the pipeline to run a security scanning
tool.

2. Fail the Pipeline on Vulnerabilities: Configure the pipeline to fail if vulnerabilities are
detected.

Example YAML for OWASP ZAP:

steps:
- task: OWASPZAP@2
inputs:
targetUrl: 'http://your-app-url'
failBuildOnError: true
Example Use Case: You are developing a web application that must pass security checks before it can
be deployed. As part of your CI pipeline, you add an OWASP ZAP task to scan the application for
common security vulnerabilities. If any critical vulnerabilities are found, the pipeline fails, preventing
insecure code from being deployed.

191. How do you create and manage service connections in Azure DevOps?

Answer: A service connection in Azure DevOps allows pipelines to authenticate and interact with
external services like Azure, AWS, Docker, or Kubernetes. It stores credentials securely, allowing the
pipeline to use them without exposing sensitive information.

Steps to Create a Service Connection:

1. Go to Project Settings: Navigate to Service Connections under project settings.

2. Add a New Service Connection: Choose the type of service connection (e.g., Azure Resource
Manager, Docker, Kubernetes), and provide the necessary credentials.

Example Use Case: You are deploying a web application to Azure App Services and need the pipeline
to authenticate with Azure. You create a service connection to your Azure subscription, and in your
pipeline, you reference this service connection to deploy the application securely.

192. How do you handle secrets in Azure Pipelines using Azure Key Vault?

Answer: Azure Key Vault is used to securely store and manage secrets such as API keys, passwords,
and certificates. Azure Pipelines can retrieve secrets from Azure Key Vault during a pipeline run to
avoid exposing sensitive data.

Steps to Handle Secrets with Key Vault:

1. Create a Service Connection to Key Vault: Set up a service connection between Azure
DevOps and Azure Key Vault.
 2. Retrieve Secrets in the Pipeline: Use the AzureKeyVault task to retrieve secrets from Key
Vault during the pipeline execution.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: AzureKeyVault@1
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
keyVaultName: '<key-vault-name>'
secretsFilter: '<secret-name>'
Example Use Case: You are deploying an application that requires database credentials. Instead of
hardcoding the credentials in the pipeline, you store them in Azure Key Vault. During the
deployment, the pipeline retrieves the credentials securely from Key Vault, ensuring that sensitive
information is not exposed.

193. How do you run tests in parallel in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Running tests in parallel in Azure Pipelines helps speed up test execution by distributing the
workload across multiple agents or jobs. This is particularly useful for large test suites.

Steps to Run Tests in Parallel:

1. Use the parallel Keyword: Define multiple parallel jobs or steps within the pipeline.

2. Distribute Test Workloads: Configure the pipeline to distribute the tests across multiple
agents or parallel jobs.

Example YAML:

jobs:
- job: Test
pool:
vmImage: 'ubuntu-latest'
strategy:
parallel: 4
steps:
- script: npm test
Example Use Case: You have a large test suite for a web application that takes too long to run
sequentially. By configuring the pipeline to run tests in parallel, the test suite is split into smaller
chunks that are executed simultaneously, significantly reducing the total execution time.

194. How do you monitor and debug Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Monitoring and debugging Azure Pipelines involves reviewing logs, analyzing the pipeline
run details, and using built-in analytics tools to understand pipeline performance and failures.

Steps to Monitor and Debug Pipelines:

 1. Review Logs: Each step in a pipeline generates detailed logs that can be reviewed to
diagnose issues.

2. Use Pipeline Analytics: Azure Pipelines provides built-in analytics tools to monitor pipeline
performance, success rates, and failure trends.

Example Use Case: You are troubleshooting a deployment pipeline that fails intermittently. By
reviewing the detailed logs of the failed runs, you identify that a network issue is causing the failure.
You update the pipeline to retry the task if it fails, improving the pipeline’s resilience.

195. How do you use Helm to deploy Kubernetes applications in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Helm is a package manager for Kubernetes that simplifies the deployment and management
of applications. Azure Pipelines supports deploying Helm charts to Kubernetes clusters as part of a
CI/CD pipeline.

Steps to Use Helm in Azure Pipelines:

1. Set Up Helm: Install Helm on the pipeline agent or use the HelmInstaller task to set it up.

2. Deploy Helm Charts: Use the HelmDeploy task to deploy the Helm chart to a Kubernetes
cluster.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: HelmInstaller@1
inputs:
helmVersionToInstall: 'latest'
- task: HelmDeploy@0
inputs:
connectionType: 'Kubernetes Service Connection'
kubernetesServiceEndpoint: '<service-connection>'
chartType: 'FilePath'
chartPath: 'path/to/chart'
Example Use Case: You are deploying a microservices application to a Kubernetes cluster using Helm
charts. The application consists of multiple services, and the Helm chart defines how each service
should be deployed. By integrating Helm into your CI/CD pipeline, you automate the deployment of
the entire application to the cluster.

196. How do you handle blue-green deployments in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Blue-green deployment is a deployment strategy where two identical environments (blue
and green) are maintained. One environment serves live traffic, while the other is used for testing
new versions. When the new version is tested, traffic is switched to the new environment.

Steps for Blue-Green Deployment:

 1. Deploy to a Non-Live Environment: Deploy the new version to the inactive environment
(e.g., green).

2. Switch Traffic: After successful testing, switch traffic to the new environment using a load
balancer or DNS update.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: Kubernetes@1
inputs:
connectionType: 'Kubernetes Service Connection'
namespace: 'green'
command: 'apply'
arguments: '-f deployment.yaml'
Example Use Case: You are deploying a new version of a web application to production using a blue-
green deployment strategy. First, you deploy the new version to the green environment and run
tests. Once the tests pass, you switch traffic to the green environment, making it live without
downtime.

197. How do you integrate Terraform with Azure Pipelines for infrastructure provisioning?

Answer: Terraform is an Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tool that can be integrated into Azure Pipelines
to automate the provisioning of infrastructure. Terraform scripts define the infrastructure, and Azure
Pipelines can apply these scripts to create or update resources.

Steps to Integrate Terraform:

1. Install Terraform on Agent: Use the TerraformInstaller task to install Terraform on the agent.

2. Apply Terraform Scripts: Use the TerraformTaskV2 task to apply the Terraform scripts to
create or update infrastructure.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: TerraformInstaller@0
inputs:
terraformVersion: 'latest'
- task: TerraformTaskV2@2
inputs:
command: 'apply'
workingDirectory: './terraform'
Example Use Case: You are managing an AKS cluster and other Azure resources using Terraform. By
integrating Terraform with Azure Pipelines, you automate the creation and management of
infrastructure as part of your CI/CD pipeline, ensuring that infrastructure changes are applied
consistently across environments.

198. How do you use ARM templates with Azure Pipelines for infrastructure automation?
Answer: ARM (Azure Resource Manager) templates are JSON files that define infrastructure and
configuration for Azure resources. Azure Pipelines can automate the deployment of ARM templates
to provision and manage Azure resources.

Steps to Use ARM Templates in Pipelines:

1. Create ARM Templates: Define your infrastructure as code using ARM templates.

2. Deploy ARM Templates Using Pipelines: Use the

AzureResourceManagerTemplateDeployment task to deploy ARM templates in the pipeline.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: AzureResourceManagerTemplateDeployment@3
inputs:
deploymentScope: 'Resource Group'
azureResourceManagerConnection: '<service-connection>'
resourceGroupName: '<resource-group>'
location: '<location>'
templateLocation: 'Linked artifact'
csmFile: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/templates/azuredeploy.json'
csmParametersFile: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/templates/azuredeploy.parameters.json'
Example Use Case: You are deploying a set of Azure resources, such as virtual machines and storage
accounts, using ARM templates. By integrating ARM templates into your CI/CD pipeline, you
automate the provisioning of resources, ensuring consistency and reducing manual errors.

199. How do you use the approval and checks feature in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Approvals and checks in Azure Pipelines allow you to pause the pipeline at specific stages,
requiring manual approval or verification before continuing. This is commonly used for critical
deployments, such as production environments.

Steps to Configure Approvals:

1. Enable Approvals in the Environment: In the release pipeline, go to the environment

settings and configure pre-deployment approvals.

2. Assign Approvers: Specify which users or groups are required to approve the deployment
before proceeding.

Example YAML:

stages:
- stage: Deploy
environment:
name: 'Production'
approval:
pending:
approvals:
- users:
- '[email protected]'
- '[email protected]'
Example Use Case: You are deploying a critical application to production and want to ensure that all
stakeholders approve the deployment before it goes live. By configuring approvals in the pipeline,
the deployment is paused until the required team members review and approve the changes.

200. How do you deploy a .NET Core application using Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can be used to build, test, and deploy a .NET Core application. The pipeline
compiles the code, runs tests, and deploys the application to an Azure App Service or other hosting
environment.

Steps to Deploy .NET Core Application:

1. Build the .NET Core Project: Use the DotNetCoreCLI@2 task to build the project.

2. Deploy to Azure App Service: Use the AzureWebApp@1 task to deploy the application to an
Azure App Service.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: UseDotNet@2
inputs:
packageType: 'sdk'
version: '5.x'
- task: DotNetCoreCLI@2
inputs:
command: 'build'
projects: '**/*.csproj'
- task: AzureWebApp@1
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
appName: '<app-name>'
package: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/**/*.zip'
Example Use Case: You are deploying a .NET Core web application to Azure App Services. The
pipeline builds the project using the .NET SDK, creates a package, and automatically deploys it to the
Azure App Service whenever code is committed to the main branch.

201. How do you automate database migrations in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Automating database migrations in Azure Pipelines ensures that any required schema
changes are applied as part of the CI/CD process. You can use migration tools such as Entity
Framework (for .NET) or Flyway to automate the process.

Steps to Automate Database Migrations:

1. Add a Migration Step in the Pipeline: Use a script or task to apply the database migration.

2. Run Migrations Before Deployment: Ensure migrations run before deploying the application
to avoid runtime issues due to missing schema changes.

Example YAML:
steps:
- task: DotNetCoreCLI@2
inputs:
command: 'ef'
arguments: 'database update'
projects: '**/*.csproj'
Example Use Case: You are deploying a new version of a web application that requires schema
changes in the database. By automating the migration using Entity Framework in the pipeline, you
ensure that the schema changes are applied before the new application version is deployed,
preventing issues caused by mismatched database schemas.

202. How do you use stages and jobs in Azure Pipelines to organize your pipeline?

Answer: Stages and jobs are used to organize pipelines into logical groups. A stage represents a
major part of the CI/CD process (e.g., build, test, deploy), while jobs represent units of work within a
stage. Jobs within the same stage can run in parallel.

Steps to Organize Pipeline with Stages and Jobs:

1. Define Stages: Use stages to represent major steps such as build, test, and deploy.

2. Define Jobs Within Stages: Use jobs to define parallelizable tasks within each stage.

Example YAML:

stages:
- stage: Build
jobs:
- job: Compile
steps:
- script: echo "Compiling..."
- stage: Deploy
dependsOn: Build
jobs:
- job: DeployApp
steps:
- script: echo "Deploying..."
Example Use Case: You are developing a microservice and want to separate the build, test, and
deploy processes into distinct stages. Each stage has its own jobs, and you use dependencies to
ensure that stages run in the correct order. This organization improves readability and control over
the pipeline’s flow.

203. What is the purpose of retention policies in Azure Pipelines, and how do you configure them?

Answer: Retention policies in Azure Pipelines control how long pipeline runs, logs, and artifacts are
retained before they are automatically deleted. This helps manage storage usage and keeps the
pipeline clean.

Steps to Configure Retention Policies:

 1. Set Retention Settings in Pipeline: Define how long pipeline runs and artifacts should be
retained.

2. Apply Retention to Specific Branches: You can configure different retention policies for
different branches, keeping longer histories for important branches.

Example Use Case: You are managing a CI/CD pipeline for a long-running project with multiple
branches. To avoid running out of storage, you configure a retention policy that keeps artifacts and
logs for the last 30 runs on feature branches and 90 runs on the main branch.

204. How do you implement multi-stage pipelines in Azure DevOps?

Answer: Multi-stage pipelines allow you to define and execute multiple stages (e.g., build, test,
deploy) within a single YAML pipeline file. This enables better control over the CI/CD process,
especially for complex applications.

Steps to Implement Multi-Stage Pipelines:

1. Define Stages in the YAML File: Each stage represents a phase of the CI/CD pipeline (e.g.,
build, test, deploy).

2. Add Dependencies Between Stages: Use dependsOn to control the flow of the stages.

Example YAML:

stages:

- stage: Build

jobs:

- job: BuildApp

steps:

- script: echo "Building the app..."

- stage: Deploy

dependsOn: Build

jobs:

- job: DeployApp

steps:

- script: echo "Deploying the app..."

Example Use Case: You are working on a microservice that requires building, running tests, and
deploying to multiple environments (e.g., staging and production). By using multi-stage pipelines,
you define separate stages for each step, ensuring that the pipeline only proceeds to the next stage
after the previous one is successful.
205. How do you add pull request validation in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Pull request validation in Azure Pipelines ensures that code changes are built and tested
before they are merged. This prevents broken or untested code from being merged into important
branches.

Steps to Add Pull Request Validation:

1. Create a Pipeline for PR Validation: Configure a pipeline that runs on pull request creation or
updates.

2. Set Up Branch Policies: In Azure Repos, set up branch policies to require the pipeline to pass
before merging the pull request.

Example YAML:

trigger:

branches:

exclude:

- main

pr:

branches:

include:

- '*'

Example Use Case: You are working on a team where multiple developers are contributing to the
project. To ensure that only tested and reviewed code is merged into the main branch, you set up a
pipeline that builds and tests the code whenever a pull request is created. The pull request cannot be
merged until the pipeline passes.

206. How do you use Docker in Azure Pipelines to build and push images?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can build Docker images from application source code and push them to a
Docker registry (e.g., Docker Hub, Azure Container Registry).

Steps to Build and Push Docker Images:

1. Create a Dockerfile: Define how to build the Docker image using a Dockerfile.

2. Use the Docker@2 Task: In the pipeline, use the Docker@2 task to build and push the
Docker image.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: Docker@2
 inputs:

command: 'buildAndPush'

repository: 'yourregistry/yourapp'

Dockerfile: '**/Dockerfile'

containerRegistry: '<service-connection>'

tags: |

$(Build.BuildId)

Example Use Case: You are developing a Node.js microservice that runs in a Docker container. As
part of the CI pipeline, the application is packaged into a Docker image using the Docker@2 task, and
the image is pushed to Azure Container Registry. The image is then used for deployment to
Kubernetes or other environments.

207. How do you manage branching strategies for CI/CD in Azure DevOps?

Answer: A branching strategy in Azure DevOps defines how code is managed across different
branches (e.g., feature branches, development, release). Azure DevOps supports various branching
strategies, such as GitFlow and trunk-based development, to ensure smooth CI/CD integration.

Steps to Manage Branching Strategies:

1. Define a Branching Strategy: Choose a strategy such as GitFlow, where features are
developed in separate branches and merged into develop and main.

2. Use Branch Policies: Set up policies to ensure that pull requests are validated before merging
into critical branches like main or release.

Example Use Case: You are working on a large project where multiple developers are contributing.
Each developer creates a feature branch from develop, and once the feature is ready, a pull request
is created to merge the changes back into develop. The pipeline builds and tests the feature branch
to ensure no regressions before the merge. When it’s time for a release, the main branch is updated
and deployed to production.

208. How do you use Azure Pipelines to deploy to multiple environments?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can deploy an application to multiple environments (e.g., development,
staging, production) by using multiple stages or jobs in the pipeline, each corresponding to a
different environment.

Steps to Deploy to Multiple Environments:

1. Define Separate Stages for Each Environment: Use stages to represent different
environments.

2. Configure Deployment for Each Environment: Customize each stage to deploy to the
appropriate environment using environment-specific variables.
Example YAML:

stages:

- stage: DeployToDev

jobs:

- deployment: DevDeployment

environment: 'Development'

steps:

- script: echo "Deploying to Development"

- stage: DeployToProd

dependsOn: DeployToDev

jobs:

- deployment: ProdDeployment

environment: 'Production'

steps:

- script: echo "Deploying to Production"

Example Use Case: You are deploying a web application to different environments. First, the pipeline
deploys the application to a development environment for testing. Once testing is complete, the
same application is deployed to a production environment. Each environment has its own
configuration, and the pipeline handles these differences using environment-specific variables.

209. How do you integrate SonarQube for code quality checks in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: SonarQube is a tool used for static code analysis, identifying code quality issues and
vulnerabilities. It can be integrated into Azure Pipelines to automatically scan the codebase and
provide feedback on code quality and security issues.

Steps to Integrate SonarQube:

1. Install the SonarQube Extension: Add the SonarQube extension from the Azure DevOps
marketplace.

2. Add SonarQube Tasks to the Pipeline: Configure the pipeline to prepare, analyze, and
publish results to SonarQube.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: SonarQubePrepare@4

inputs:
 SonarQube: 'SonarQube service connection'

projectKey: 'my-project'

- task: SonarQubeAnalyze@4

- task: SonarQubePublish@4

inputs:

pollingTimeoutSec: '300'

Example Use Case: You are developing a Java application, and as part of your CI pipeline, SonarQube
runs static analysis on the codebase. If it detects any code smells, technical debt, or security
vulnerabilities, the pipeline fails, ensuring that only high-quality and secure code is deployed.

210. How do you use pipeline templates in Azure Pipelines for reusability?

Answer: Pipeline templates in Azure Pipelines allow you to define reusable sections of pipeline code
that can be shared across multiple pipelines. This helps reduce duplication and improves
maintainability.

Steps to Use Templates:

1. Create a Template: Define a pipeline template in a separate YAML file.

2. Reference the Template: In other pipelines, use the template keyword to include the
template.

Example Template (build-template.yaml):

parameters:

- name: buildConfiguration

type: string

default: 'Release'

steps:

- script: echo "Building in $(buildConfiguration) mode"

Example Pipeline Using the Template:

yaml

Copy code

stages:

- stage: Build

jobs:

- template: build-template.yaml
 parameters:

buildConfiguration: 'Debug'

Example Use Case: You are working on multiple projects that follow a similar build process. Instead
of duplicating the same build steps in each pipeline, you create a reusable pipeline template. This
allows you to maintain the build logic in a single place, and reference it across multiple projects,
improving consistency and reducing maintenance overhead.

211. How do you secure pipeline variables in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Securing pipeline variables in Azure Pipelines ensures that sensitive information such as
passwords, API keys, or tokens is not exposed during pipeline execution. You can mark variables as
secrets, ensuring they are masked in logs and handled securely.

Steps to Secure Pipeline Variables:

1. Mark Variables as Secrets: In the pipeline settings, mark the variable as a secret, ensuring it
is encrypted and masked in logs.

2. Use Azure Key Vault for Secret Management: For additional security, store secrets in Azure
Key Vault and retrieve them in the pipeline.

Example YAML:

variables:

- name: apiKey

value: $(secretApiKey)

isSecret: true

steps:

- script: echo "Using secret API key"

Example Use Case: You are deploying an application that requires a third-party API key for
integration. Instead of hardcoding the API key in the pipeline, you mark it as a secret, ensuring that it
is securely encrypted and not visible in the pipeline logs.

212. How do you handle build pipelines for monorepos in Azure DevOps?

Answer: A monorepo is a repository that contains multiple services or projects. Handling build
pipelines for monorepos in Azure DevOps involves creating pipelines that can build and test
individual projects within the monorepo without rebuilding the entire repository.

Steps to Handle Monorepos in Pipelines:

1. Use Path Filters: Define path filters to trigger builds only when certain projects or directories
are modified.
 2. Create Separate Pipelines for Each Project: Create separate pipelines or jobs for each project
in the monorepo.

Example YAML:

trigger:

paths:

include:

- src/project1/*

exclude:

- src/project2/*

jobs:

- job: BuildProject1

steps:

- script: echo "Building Project 1"

Example Use Case: You are working on a monorepo that contains multiple microservices. Each
microservice has its own build process, and you don’t want to trigger unnecessary builds for
unrelated changes. By configuring path filters, the pipeline only runs for the microservice that has
been modified, improving efficiency and reducing build times.

213. How do you configure and use environment variables in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Environment variables in Azure Pipelines are used to pass configuration data to scripts,
tools, or jobs during pipeline execution. These variables can be global, specific to a stage or job, or
environment-specific.

Steps:

1. Define Variables in YAML: You can define environment variables in the variables section of
the pipeline or use them directly within steps.

2. Reference Variables in Scripts or Commands: Use $(variableName) to reference variables

within scripts or tasks.

Example YAML:

variables:

environment: 'Production'

steps:

- script: echo "Deploying to $(environment)"

Example Use Case: You are deploying an application and need different settings for production and
staging environments. By defining environment variables, you can easily switch configurations
between environments without modifying the pipeline.

214. How do you set up continuous deployment (CD) in Azure DevOps?

Answer: Continuous deployment (CD) in Azure DevOps means automatically deploying an

application after a successful build and testing process, without requiring manual intervention.

Steps:

1. Create a Release Pipeline: Define stages for deploying the application to different
environments like staging and production.

2. Enable Continuous Deployment Trigger: Set the release pipeline to trigger automatically
after the build pipeline completes.

Example YAML:

trigger:

branches:

include:

- main

stages:

- stage: DeployToProd

jobs:

- job: Deploy

steps:

- script: echo "Deploying to production..."

Example Use Case: You are deploying a web application and want it to go live automatically after a
successful build. By enabling continuous deployment, the deployment pipeline is triggered after the
code passes the build and test stages, ensuring that updates reach production without manual steps.

215. How do you use the jobs and stages concept to optimize your Azure Pipeline?

Answer: Jobs and stages are used to divide a pipeline into logical sections for better control and
optimization. Jobs can run in parallel within a stage, while stages run sequentially (or can be parallel
if configured that way).

Steps:
 1. Define Stages: Break your pipeline into stages for different processes (e.g., build, test,
deploy).

2. Define Jobs Within Stages: Use jobs to represent tasks that can be executed in parallel or
that are logically grouped together.

Example YAML:

stages:

- stage: Build

jobs:

- job: BuildJob

steps:

- script: echo "Building the project..."

- stage: Deploy

dependsOn: Build

jobs:

- job: DeployJob

steps:

- script: echo "Deploying the project..."

Example Use Case: You have a pipeline where the build process consists of compiling code and
running unit tests. You create separate jobs for building the code and testing, and by using stages,
you ensure that the deployment only happens after the build stage completes successfully.

216. What is a self-hosted agent in Azure DevOps, and how do you set it up?

Answer: A self-hosted agent in Azure DevOps is an agent that runs on your infrastructure instead of
the default Microsoft-hosted agents. This allows more control over the environment, including
installed tools, network configurations, and hardware.

Steps to Set Up a Self-Hosted Agent:

1. Download the Agent: Go to your Azure DevOps project, navigate to Project Settings > Agent
pools, and choose to install a new agent.

2. Configure the Agent: Run the downloaded agent package on your machine and register it
with your Azure DevOps organization.

Example Use Case: You are working on a project that requires custom software or specific
configurations that aren't available on Microsoft-hosted agents. By setting up a self-hosted agent,
you can ensure that the pipeline runs in an environment that meets your unique requirements.
217. How do you use pipeline triggers to automatically run pipelines in Azure DevOps?

Answer: Pipeline triggers automatically start a pipeline when changes are pushed to a repository or
when specific conditions are met, such as changes to a specific branch or a pull request being
created.

Steps to Set Up Pipeline Triggers:

1. Define Branch or Tag Triggers: Use the trigger section in the YAML file to specify which
branches or tags should trigger the pipeline.

2. Configure Pull Request Triggers: Use the pr section to trigger a pipeline when a pull request
is created.

Example YAML:

trigger:
branches:
include:
- main

pr:
branches:
include:
- '*'
Example Use Case: You are working on a project where every change to the main branch should
automatically trigger a build and test process. By setting up branch triggers, the pipeline runs
automatically whenever changes are committed to main.

218. How do you configure manual approvals in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Manual approvals are used in Azure Pipelines to pause a pipeline and require a designated
person or group to approve the process before proceeding, typically for deployments to production
environments.

Steps to Set Up Manual Approvals:

1. Configure Pre-Deployment Approvals: Set up approvals in the pipeline's environment or in

the YAML file.

2. Specify Approvers: Assign users or groups who are required to approve the pipeline before it
can proceed.

Example YAML:

stages:

- stage: Deploy

environment:

name: 'Production'

approval:
 pending:

approvals:

- users:

- '[email protected]'

Example Use Case: You are deploying an application to production and want to ensure that the
deployment is reviewed by a manager before proceeding. By configuring manual approvals, the
pipeline pauses at the deployment stage until the manager provides approval.

219. How do you manage secrets in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Secrets in Azure Pipelines (such as API keys, passwords, and certificates) can be managed
securely using environment variables, Azure Key Vault, or marking pipeline variables as secrets.

Steps to Manage Secrets:

1. Use Azure Key Vault: Store sensitive data in Azure Key Vault and retrieve it during pipeline
execution.

2. Mark Variables as Secret: In the pipeline settings, mark variables as secret so they are
encrypted and masked in the logs.

Example YAML:

variables:

- name: secretApiKey

value: $(keyFromVault)

isSecret: true

steps:

- script: echo "Using the secret API key"

env:

SECRET_KEY: $(secretApiKey)

Example Use Case: You are deploying an application that requires sensitive credentials, such as
database passwords or API keys. To ensure these secrets are not exposed in logs or code, you store
them in Azure Key Vault or mark them as secret variables in the pipeline.

220. How do you implement conditional execution of steps in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Conditional execution in Azure Pipelines allows you to control whether a particular step,
job, or stage should be executed based on specific conditions, such as a branch name, variable value,
or task result.

Steps to Set Up Conditional Execution:

1. Use the condition Keyword: Add the condition keyword to a step, job, or stage to define
when it should be executed.

2. Set the Condition: Use functions like eq(), ne(), or succeeded() to define the condition.

Example YAML:

steps:

- script: echo "Running only on main branch"

condition: eq(variables['Build.SourceBranch'], 'refs/heads/main')

Example Use Case: You are running a pipeline where the deployment should only happen if the
pipeline is triggered from the main branch. By using conditional execution, you ensure that the
deployment step is skipped for other branches.

221. How do you create multi-stage YAML pipelines in Azure DevOps?

Answer: A multi-stage YAML pipeline in Azure DevOps breaks the CI/CD process into stages, such as
build, test, and deploy. Each stage can contain jobs that run sequentially or in parallel.

Steps to Create a Multi-Stage Pipeline:

1. Define Stages in the YAML File: Each stage represents a phase of the pipeline.

2. Add Dependencies Between Stages: Use dependsOn to control the flow between stages.

Example YAML:

stages:

- stage: Build

jobs:

- job: BuildApp

steps:

- script: echo "Building the app..."

- stage: Test

dependsOn: Build

jobs:

- job: RunTests

steps:
 - script: echo "Running tests..."

Example Use Case: You are building a web application, and the pipeline is divided into stages for
building the application, running tests, and deploying to production. By organizing the pipeline into
stages, you ensure that each phase is completed successfully before proceeding to the next.

222. How do you enforce branch policies in Azure Repos?

Answer: Branch policies in Azure Repos enforce rules that must be met before changes can be
merged into a protected branch, such as requiring pull request reviews, build validations, and code
quality checks.

Steps to Enforce Branch Policies:

1. Navigate to Branch Policies: In Azure Repos, go to the branch settings and configure branch
policies for specific branches (e.g., main).

2. Set Up Required Policies: Enforce rules like requiring pull request reviews, passing builds, or
checking for minimum code coverage.

Example Use Case: You are working on a project where the main branch must always be in a
deployable state. To prevent untested or unreviewed code from being merged into main, you set up
branch policies that require successful build validation and code reviews before changes are merged.

223. How do you configure deployment gates in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Deployment gates in Azure Pipelines automatically assess the health and readiness of an
environment before proceeding with a deployment. Gates can include checks like monitoring system
performance, ensuring that approval thresholds are met, or validating metrics.

Steps to Configure Deployment Gates:

1. Define Gates in the Environment: In the environment settings, configure gates to check
conditions like Azure Monitor alerts, work item statuses, or custom functions.

2. Set Gate Conditions: Specify the conditions that must be met before the deployment can
proceed.

Example YAML:

gates:

preDeploy:

gates:

- azureMonitor:

condition: 'avg(failureRate) < 5%'

Example Use Case: You are deploying an application to production and want to ensure that the
current system health meets certain thresholds before proceeding. You configure a deployment gate
to check Azure Monitor metrics, such as CPU usage or error rates, and only proceed with the
deployment if the system is healthy.

224. How do you handle parallel execution in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Parallel execution in Azure Pipelines allows multiple jobs or tasks to run simultaneously,
improving pipeline efficiency by reducing the overall execution time.

Steps to Enable Parallel Execution:

1. Use Jobs in Parallel: Define multiple jobs in a single stage, which by default will run in
parallel.

2. Configure Job Dependencies: If needed, use dependsOn to control the order of execution for
jobs.

Example YAML:

jobs:

- job: BuildJob1

steps:

- script: echo "Building Job 1"

- job: BuildJob2

steps:

- script: echo "Building Job 2"

Example Use Case: You are building an application with multiple services, each of which can be built
independently. By running the build jobs for each service in parallel, you reduce the total time
needed to complete the pipeline.

225. How do you configure retries for failed tasks in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Pipelines allows you to automatically retry tasks that fail due to transient issues, such
as network errors. You can configure the number of retry attempts for each task.

Steps to Configure Retries:

1. Use the retryCount Keyword: Add the retryCount property to the task definition to specify
how many times it should be retried.

2. Set a Condition for Retries: Optionally, specify conditions under which the task should be
retried.
Example YAML:

steps:

- task: AzureWebApp@1

inputs:

azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'

appName: '<app-name>'

package: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/**/*.zip'

retryCount: 3

Example Use Case: You are deploying an application to Azure App Services, and sometimes the
deployment fails due to temporary network issues. By setting up retries, the deployment task is
retried up to three times before the pipeline fails, reducing the chances of failure due to transient
issues.

226. How do you use Azure DevOps pipelines for a microservices architecture?

Answer: In a microservices architecture, each service is typically developed, built, and deployed
independently. Azure Pipelines can be configured to handle separate pipelines for each microservice,
with dependencies between services when necessary.

Steps to Use Pipelines for Microservices:

1. Create Separate Pipelines for Each Service: Each microservice should have its own build and
deployment pipeline.

2. Use Dependencies Between Pipelines: Trigger dependent pipelines when upstream services
are built or deployed.

Example YAML:

trigger:

branches:

include:

- main

stages:

- stage: Build

jobs:

- job: BuildServiceA
 steps:

- script: echo "Building Service A"

- stage: Deploy

dependsOn: Build

jobs:

- job: DeployServiceA

steps:

- script: echo "Deploying Service A"

Example Use Case: You are working on a microservices-based e-commerce platform where each
service (e.g., catalog, payment, user) is deployed independently. By configuring separate pipelines for
each service, you can deploy updates to individual services without affecting the entire system.

227. How do you configure build pipelines to run unit tests in Azure DevOps?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can run unit tests as part of the build process, ensuring that your code is
tested before it is deployed. You can use testing tools such as NUnit, xUnit, or MSTest for .NET, and
Jest or Mocha for JavaScript projects.

Steps to Configure Unit Tests in Pipelines:

1. Use the test Command for Your Test Framework: Run the appropriate test command in the
pipeline.

2. Publish Test Results: Use the PublishTestResults task to collect and publish test results.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: DotNetCoreCLI@2

inputs:

command: 'test'

projects: '**/*.csproj'

- task: PublishTestResults@2

inputs:

testResultsFormat: 'JUnit'

testResultsFiles: '**/test-results.xml'
Example Use Case: You are building a .NET application and want to ensure that unit tests are run
during every build. By configuring the pipeline to run the tests and publish the results, you can
quickly detect if any new code breaks existing functionality.

228. How do you configure pipeline artifacts in Azure DevOps?

Answer: Pipeline artifacts are files or packages produced during a build that are stored and can be
used by other jobs or pipelines. They allow you to pass build outputs between jobs or stages in a
pipeline.

Steps to Configure Pipeline Artifacts:

1. Publish Artifacts: Use the PublishPipelineArtifact task to publish files or directories as

artifacts.

2. Download Artifacts: Use the DownloadPipelineArtifact task to retrieve artifacts in later

stages or jobs.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: PublishPipelineArtifact@1

inputs:

targetPath: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)'

artifactName: 'myArtifact'

- task: DownloadPipelineArtifact@2

inputs:

artifactName: 'myArtifact'

targetPath: '$(Pipeline.Workspace)'

Example Use Case: You are working on a pipeline where the build stage generates an artifact (such as
a compiled binary), which is later deployed by the deployment stage. By publishing and downloading
pipeline artifacts, you ensure that the artifact is available to downstream jobs or stages.

229. How do you integrate Azure Monitor with Azure Pipelines to track performance metrics?
Answer: Azure Pipelines can integrate with Azure Monitor to track performance metrics, such as
error rates, response times, and CPU usage, before and after deployments. This ensures that the
deployment doesn't negatively impact the performance or reliability of the application.

Steps to Integrate Azure Monitor:

1. Enable Monitoring for Azure Resources: Set up Azure Monitor to collect metrics and logs
from your resources.

2. Use Azure Monitor Gates in Pipelines: Add gates in your deployment pipeline to check Azure
Monitor metrics before proceeding with a deployment.

Example YAML:

gates:

preDeploy:

gates:

- azureMonitor:

condition: 'avg(cpuUsage) < 80%'

Example Use Case: You are deploying a critical web application and want to ensure that the system is
healthy before proceeding with the deployment. By integrating Azure Monitor, you check metrics like
CPU usage and error rates before moving forward with the release.

230. How do you set up automatic rollback in Azure Pipelines for failed deployments?

Answer: Automatic rollback in Azure Pipelines allows you to revert to a previous stable version if a
deployment fails. This helps ensure that production environments remain stable even if a new
deployment introduces issues.

Steps to Set Up Automatic Rollback:

1. Define Rollback Logic in the Pipeline: Add conditional steps or tasks that trigger the rollback
if the deployment fails.

2. Use Deployment History: Ensure that previous versions are available for rollback, either by
storing them as artifacts or using deployment slots.

Example YAML:

steps:

- script: echo "Deploying new version..."

- script: echo "Deployment failed, rolling back to the previous version"

condition: failed()

Example Use Case: You are deploying a web application to Azure App Services. If the deployment
fails (due to a bug or configuration issue), the pipeline automatically rolls back to the last successful
version, ensuring that production remains operational.
231. How do you trigger a pipeline in Azure DevOps from another pipeline?

Answer: You can trigger a pipeline from another pipeline using pipeline resources or by invoking the
Azure DevOps REST API. This is useful for chaining pipelines, where one pipeline’s success triggers
another.

Steps to Trigger a Pipeline:

1. Use Pipeline Resources: In the YAML, define a pipeline resource and set it to trigger the
pipeline when the upstream pipeline completes.

2. Use the Azure DevOps REST API: Programmatically trigger pipelines using the REST API.

Example YAML:

resources:

pipelines:

- pipeline: 'LibraryPipeline'

source: 'LibraryRepo'

trigger: true

Example Use Case: You are working on a project where a shared library is used by multiple services.
When the library is updated, you want the pipelines for dependent services to run automatically. By
configuring pipeline triggers, dependent pipelines are automatically triggered when the library
pipeline completes.

232. How do you implement zero-downtime deployments in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Zero-downtime deployments ensure that users experience no service interruption during a
deployment. This is typically achieved using techniques like blue-green deployments, canary
releases, or rolling deployments.

Steps to Implement Zero-Downtime Deployment:

1. Use Blue-Green or Canary Deployment: Deploy to a staging environment and gradually shift
traffic to the new environment after verifying that everything works correctly.

2. Use Rolling Deployments: Deploy updates to a few instances at a time, ensuring that some
instances remain available to handle traffic.

Example YAML:

stages:

- stage: DeployToGreen

jobs:

- script: echo "Deploying to green environment"

 - stage: SwapSlots

jobs:

- script: echo "Swapping green to production"

Example Use Case: You are deploying a high-traffic web application and want to minimize the impact
of the deployment on users. By using a blue-green deployment strategy, the new version is deployed
to a secondary environment, and once verified, traffic is switched from the old version to the new
version without downtime.

233. How do you use GitHub Actions and Azure Pipelines together?

Answer: GitHub Actions and Azure Pipelines can be used together to manage CI/CD processes
across GitHub repositories and Azure DevOps projects. This can involve triggering Azure Pipelines
from GitHub Actions or vice versa.

Steps to Integrate GitHub Actions with Azure Pipelines:

1. Trigger Azure Pipelines from GitHub Actions: Use the Azure Pipelines REST API or service
connections to trigger a pipeline from GitHub Actions.

2. Trigger GitHub Actions from Azure Pipelines: Use the GitHub API or GitHub Actions triggers
to start workflows in GitHub Actions from Azure Pipelines.

Example GitHub Action:

jobs:

trigger-azure-pipeline:

runs-on: ubuntu-latest

steps:

- name: Trigger Azure Pipeline

run: |

curl -X POST \

-u user:PAT \

-H "Content-Type: application/json" \

-d '{"definition": {"id": 1}}' \

https://dev.azure.com/organization/project/_apis/build/builds?api-version=6.0

Example Use Case: You are hosting your code in GitHub and using GitHub Actions for some build
processes, but want to leverage Azure Pipelines for complex deployments. By integrating GitHub
Actions with Azure Pipelines, you can trigger builds or deployments in Azure Pipelines whenever
code is pushed to GitHub.
234. How do you handle multi-cloud deployments in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Multi-cloud deployments involve deploying applications across multiple cloud providers
(e.g., Azure, AWS, GCP). Azure Pipelines supports multi-cloud deployments by allowing you to
configure service connections for different cloud providers.

Steps to Handle Multi-Cloud Deployments:

1. Create Service Connections for Each Cloud Provider: Set up separate service connections for
Azure, AWS, and GCP.

2. Use Cloud-Specific Tasks: Use tasks specific to each cloud provider (e.g., AzureCLI,
AWSShellScript, or GCPDeploymentManager).

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: AzureCLI@2

inputs:

azureSubscription: '<azure-service-connection>'

scriptType: 'bash'

scriptLocation: 'inlineScript'

inlineScript: 'az webapp deploy --name myapp --src-path $(Pipeline.Workspace)/myapp.zip'

- task: AWSShellScript@1

inputs:

awsCredentials: '<aws-service-connection>'

scriptType: 'inline'

inlineScript: 'aws s3 cp myapp.zip s3://mybucket'

Example Use Case: You are deploying a web application that runs on both Azure and AWS. By
configuring service connections for both cloud providers and using cloud-specific tasks, you can
deploy your application to both Azure App Services and AWS S3 in the same pipeline.

235. How do you implement gated check-ins in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Gated check-ins ensure that code changes pass specific tests and validations before being
committed to the repository. This helps prevent broken code from being merged into critical
branches.

Steps to Implement Gated Check-Ins:

 1. Configure Branch Policies: Set up branch policies in Azure Repos that require a pipeline to
pass before code can be merged into a branch.

2. Run Validations on Check-In: Ensure that the pipeline runs unit tests, build checks, or
security scans as part of the gated check-in process.

Example Use Case: You are working on a large project where it's crucial to maintain the stability of
the main branch. By implementing gated check-ins, all code changes must pass the pipeline's build
and test stages before being merged into main, ensuring that broken code never makes it into
production.

236. How do you handle feature toggles (feature flags) in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Feature toggles (feature flags) allow you to enable or disable features dynamically without
redeploying code. Azure Pipelines can work with feature flag management systems like Azure App
Configuration, LaunchDarkly, or Unleash to control feature rollouts.

Steps to Handle Feature Toggles:

1. Integrate with a Feature Flag Management Tool: Use Azure App Configuration or a third-
party tool to manage feature flags.

2. Control Feature Flags in Pipelines: Toggle feature flags during deployments or based on
conditions defined in the pipeline.

Example YAML (Azure App Configuration):

steps:

- task: AzureAppConfiguration@1

inputs:

azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'

configStoreName: '<config-store>'

action: 'ToggleFeatureFlag'

key: 'NewFeatureFlag'

toggleValue: 'on'

Example Use Case: You are releasing a new feature in your web application, but want to gradually
roll it out to a subset of users for testing. By using feature flags, you can control the rollout
dynamically without redeploying the application. The feature can be turned on or off directly from
Azure Pipelines or Azure App Configuration.

237. How do you integrate Azure Pipelines with Jira for work item tracking?
Answer: Azure Pipelines can integrate with Jira to associate pipeline runs with Jira work items,
automatically update work item statuses, or trigger Jira workflows based on pipeline events.

Steps to Integrate Azure Pipelines with Jira:

1. Install the Jira Azure DevOps Integration: Install the Azure Pipelines app for Jira from the
Atlassian Marketplace.

2. Configure the Integration: Set up the connection between Azure Pipelines and Jira, and
configure work item tracking and updates.

Example Use Case: You are using Jira for work item tracking and want to automatically update Jira
issues based on pipeline events. When a pipeline completes successfully, the associated Jira ticket is
automatically moved to the "Done" status, ensuring that development progress is accurately
reflected in Jira.

238. How do you handle resource limits in Azure Pipelines to optimize build and deployment
efficiency?

Answer: Resource limits in Azure Pipelines control how many pipeline runs or jobs can execute
simultaneously, helping to manage resource usage and avoid overloading the system. You can also
optimize pipelines by reducing resource consumption.

Steps to Handle Resource Limits:

1. Use the pool Keyword: Specify resource limits for agents or jobs.

2. Optimize Jobs and Steps: Break long-running jobs into smaller steps, or use conditional
execution to skip unnecessary tasks.

Example YAML:

jobs:

- job: Build

pool:

name: 'MyAgentPool'

demands: 'Agent -equals windows'

timeoutInMinutes: 60

Example Use Case: You are running multiple pipelines in parallel, and to avoid overloading your build
agents, you limit the number of concurrent jobs that can run at once. You also optimize the pipeline
by skipping certain tasks if the required artifacts are already cached.

239. How do you deploy to on-premise environments using Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can deploy to on-premise environments using self-hosted agents or secure
connections such as VPN or ExpressRoute. This allows pipelines to interact with internal resources
that are not accessible from the cloud.
Steps to Deploy to On-Premise Environments:

1. Set Up Self-Hosted Agents: Install Azure Pipelines agents on on-premise servers.

2. Use Secure Connections: Ensure that the pipeline can access on-premise resources via VPN,
SSH, or other secure methods.

Example Use Case: You are deploying a web application to a private on-premise environment that is
behind a firewall. By setting up self-hosted agents on your internal network, you allow Azure
Pipelines to securely deploy the application without exposing sensitive infrastructure to the public
internet.

240. How do you handle Azure Resource Group deployments in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can automate the deployment and management of Azure resources using
ARM templates, Terraform, or the Azure CLI to manage Azure Resource Groups.

Steps to Handle Resource Group Deployments:

1. Use ARM Templates or Terraform: Define the infrastructure as code for the Azure Resource
Group.

2. Deploy the Infrastructure Using Pipelines: Use the

AzureResourceManagerTemplateDeployment task or AzureCLI to deploy or update the
resource group.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: AzureResourceManagerTemplateDeployment@3

inputs:

azureResourceManagerConnection: '<service-connection>'

resourceGroupName: '<resource-group>'

templateLocation: 'Linked artifact'

csmFile: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/azuredeploy.json'

Example Use Case: You are managing Azure resources for your web application, and as part of the
CI/CD pipeline, you want to create or update an Azure Resource Group with the necessary
infrastructure. By using ARM templates and Azure Pipelines, you can automate the provisioning of
resources consistently across environments.

241. How do you configure pipeline dependencies in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Pipeline dependencies in Azure Pipelines allow you to specify the order in which stages or
jobs run. You can control dependencies between stages using the dependsOn keyword.

Steps to Configure Pipeline Dependencies:

1. Use the dependsOn Keyword: Define which stages or jobs depend on the completion of
other stages or jobs.

2. Set Conditions for Dependencies: Use conditions like succeeded() to ensure that dependent
stages only run if the previous stage succeeds.

Example YAML:

stages:

- stage: Build

jobs:

- job: BuildApp

steps:

- script: echo "Building the app"

- stage: Deploy

dependsOn: Build

jobs:

- job: DeployApp

steps:

- script: echo "Deploying the app"

Example Use Case: You are building a web application, and the pipeline has separate stages for
building the app and deploying it to production. By setting up dependencies, you ensure that the
deployment stage only runs if the build stage completes successfully.

242. How do you manage environment-specific configurations in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Managing environment-specific configurations in Azure Pipelines involves using variables,

templates, or external configuration sources to handle differences between environments (e.g.,
development, staging, production).

Steps to Manage Environment-Specific Configurations:

1. Use Variables for Configuration Values: Define environment-specific variables in the pipeline
YAML or in a variable group.

2. Use Templates for Reusability: Create reusable pipeline templates that handle different
environments.

Example YAML:
variables:

devConnectionString: 'Server=dev;Database=mydb'

prodConnectionString: 'Server=prod;Database=mydb'

stages:

- stage: DeployToDev

jobs:

- script: echo "Deploying to development with $(devConnectionString)"

- stage: DeployToProd

jobs:

- script: echo "Deploying to production with $(prodConnectionString)"

Example Use Case: You are deploying a web application to multiple environments, and each
environment requires different database connection strings. By using environment-specific variables,
you can switch configurations between environments without duplicating the pipeline logic.

243. How do you implement security testing in Azure Pipelines using OWASP ZAP?

Answer: OWASP ZAP is a security testing tool that helps find vulnerabilities in web applications. It
can be integrated into Azure Pipelines to perform automated security scans as part of the CI/CD
process.

Steps to Implement Security Testing:

1. Add the OWASP ZAP Task to the Pipeline: Use the OWASP ZAP task to scan the target web
application.

2. Fail the Pipeline on Security Issues: Configure the pipeline to fail if OWASP ZAP detects
critical security vulnerabilities.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: OWASPZAP@2

inputs:

targetUrl: 'http://your-app-url'

failBuildOnError: true

Example Use Case: You are deploying a web application and want to ensure that it is secure before
going live. As part of the pipeline, OWASP ZAP performs a security scan of the application, and if any
vulnerabilities are detected, the pipeline fails, preventing the application from being deployed until
the issues are resolved.
244. How do you implement cross-project builds in Azure DevOps?

Answer: Cross-project builds in Azure DevOps allow you to trigger builds in one project from another,
or to consume artifacts from pipelines in different projects.

Steps to Implement Cross-Project Builds:

1. Use Pipeline Resources: Define pipelines from other projects as resources in your YAML
pipeline.

2. Trigger Builds Across Projects: Configure pipelines to trigger builds in other projects or
consume their artifacts.

Example YAML:

resources:

pipelines:

- pipeline: 'LibraryPipeline'

project: 'LibraryProject'

source: 'main'

trigger: true

Example Use Case: You are working on a project that depends on a shared library maintained in a
separate project. When the library is updated, your pipeline triggers a build and runs tests to ensure
compatibility, ensuring that both projects stay in sync.

245. How do you set up infrastructure as code (IaC) using Terraform in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Terraform is a popular Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tool that can be integrated with Azure
Pipelines to automate the creation and management of infrastructure. You can define infrastructure
in .tf files and apply it using the Terraform task in Azure Pipelines.

Steps to Set Up IaC Using Terraform:

1. Install Terraform: Use the TerraformInstaller task to install Terraform on the agent.

2. Apply Terraform Configurations: Use the TerraformTaskV2 task to apply your Terraform code
and provision the infrastructure.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: TerraformInstaller@0

inputs:

terraformVersion: 'latest'

- task: TerraformTaskV2@2
 inputs:

command: 'apply'

workingDirectory: './terraform'

Example Use Case: You are managing infrastructure for a cloud application using Terraform. By
integrating Terraform into your pipeline, you automate the creation of resources such as virtual
machines, databases, and networks, ensuring that infrastructure is provisioned consistently across
environments.

246. How do you use approvals and gates for production environments in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Approvals and gates in Azure Pipelines ensure that production deployments are carefully
reviewed and monitored before proceeding. Approvals require manual intervention, while gates
automatically assess the environment's readiness.

Steps to Use Approvals and Gates:

1. Set Up Pre-Deployment Approvals: In the pipeline YAML or environment settings, configure

manual approvals before deployment to production.

2. Use Gates for Automated Checks: Configure gates to monitor metrics like error rates,
performance, or security checks before allowing the deployment to proceed.

Example YAML:

stages:

- stage: DeployToProd

environment:

name: 'Production'

approval:

pending:

approvals:

- users:

- '[email protected]'

gates:

preDeploy:

- azureMonitor:

condition: 'avg(failureRate) < 0.05'

Example Use Case: You are deploying a mission-critical application to production and want to ensure
that the system is healthy before and after the deployment. By setting up approvals, the pipeline
pauses until a manager approves the release. Additionally, gates check Azure Monitor metrics to
ensure that the application is performing within acceptable limits.

247. How do you handle feature branches in Azure DevOps for CI/CD pipelines?

Answer: Feature branches in Azure DevOps are used to develop new features or changes without
affecting the main or develop branches. CI/CD pipelines can be set up to automatically build and test
changes made to feature branches before merging.

Steps to Handle Feature Branches:

1. Create Feature Branches from develop or main: Each new feature should have its own
branch.

2. Set Up Pull Request Validations: Require build and test pipelines to pass before merging the
feature branch into develop or main.

Example YAML:

trigger:

branches:

include:

- features/*

Example Use Case: You are developing a new feature for an e-commerce application. Each feature is
developed in its own branch, and a pull request is created to merge the feature back into develop.
The pipeline automatically builds and tests the feature branch, ensuring that no breaking changes
are introduced before the merge.

248. How do you configure artifact storage in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Artifacts in Azure Pipelines are outputs produced by the build process, such as binaries or
packages, which can be stored and shared across jobs or stages. Artifacts can be stored in Azure
Pipelines itself, or in external storage like Azure Artifacts, Azure Blob Storage, or AWS S3.

Steps to Configure Artifact Storage:

1. Publish Artifacts: Use the PublishPipelineArtifact or PublishBuildArtifacts task to store

artifacts.

2. Use External Storage: Configure the pipeline to store artifacts in Azure Blob Storage, AWS S3,
or other external storage services if needed.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: PublishPipelineArtifact@1
 inputs:

targetPath: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)'

artifactName: 'myArtifact'

Example Use Case: You are building a .NET Core application and need to store the compiled binaries
as artifacts for later deployment. By using the PublishPipelineArtifact task, the artifacts are stored in
Azure Pipelines, making them available for deployment in subsequent stages.

249. How do you use parallel jobs to improve pipeline performance in Azure DevOps?

Answer: Parallel jobs in Azure Pipelines allow multiple jobs or tasks to run simultaneously, which can
significantly improve the performance of pipelines, especially for large projects with independent
tasks.

Steps to Use Parallel Jobs:

1. Define Multiple Jobs in Parallel: Use the jobs keyword to define jobs that can run in parallel.

2. Set Up Agent Pools for Parallel Execution: Use self-hosted or Microsoft-hosted agent pools
to distribute jobs across multiple agents.

Example YAML:

jobs:

- job: BuildJob1

steps:

- script: echo "Running Build Job 1"

- job: BuildJob2

steps:

- script: echo "Running Build Job 2"

Example Use Case: You are working on a project that consists of multiple microservices, and each
service can be built independently. By running the build jobs for each microservice in parallel, you
reduce the total time required to complete the build process.

250. How do you handle long-running jobs in Azure Pipelines without timeouts?

Answer: Long-running jobs in Azure Pipelines can be configured with custom timeouts or optimized
to avoid excessive runtime. You can also break long-running tasks into smaller, more manageable
steps.
Steps to Handle Long-Running Jobs:

1. Set Custom Timeouts: Use the timeoutInMinutes property to extend the default timeout for
a job or task.

2. Break Tasks into Smaller Steps: Split long-running tasks into smaller steps or jobs that can be
run sequentially or in parallel.

Example YAML:

jobs:

- job: LongRunningJob

timeoutInMinutes: 180

steps:

- script: echo "Running a long task"

Example Use Case: You are building a large project that includes extensive integration tests, and the
default job timeout of 60 minutes is not sufficient. By configuring a custom timeout of 180 minutes,
you ensure that the pipeline has enough time to complete the task without failure.

251. How do you handle service connections for multi-cloud deployments in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Service connections allow pipelines to authenticate with various cloud platforms, including
Azure, AWS, and GCP. In a multi-cloud setup, you need to set up service connections for each cloud
provider.

Steps:

1. Go to Project Settings: Navigate to Service connections and create connections for each
cloud provider (e.g., Azure Resource Manager for Azure, AWS for AWS).

2. Reference the Connections in Pipelines: Use the service connections to authenticate and
deploy to multiple clouds.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: AzureCLI@2

inputs:

azureSubscription: '<azure-service-connection>'

scriptType: 'bash'

scriptLocation: 'inlineScript'
 inlineScript: 'az webapp deploy --name myapp --src-path $(Pipeline.Workspace)/myapp.zip'

- task: AWSShellScript@1

inputs:

awsCredentials: '<aws-service-connection>'

scriptType: 'inline'

inlineScript: 'aws s3 cp myapp.zip s3://mybucket'

Example Use Case: You are deploying a web application across Azure and AWS. By setting up service
connections for both cloud providers, the pipeline can handle deployments seamlessly to both
clouds within the same job.

252. What is a release pipeline in Azure DevOps, and how do you create one?

Answer: A release pipeline in Azure DevOps is a set of steps that automate the deployment of
applications to various environments like dev, QA, staging, and production. It manages the
deployment and post-deployment processes like validations and approvals.

Steps to Create a Release Pipeline:

1. Go to Pipelines > Releases: Create a new release pipeline.

2. Add Stages: Define stages for each environment (e.g., development, staging, production).

3. Configure Artifacts: Link build artifacts from the build pipeline.

Example Use Case: You are deploying a new version of your web application. The release pipeline
takes the build artifacts and deploys them first to the staging environment, followed by manual
approval to push them to production. The release pipeline helps ensure a smooth, automated
deployment process across multiple environments.

253. How do you use conditional triggers in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Conditional triggers allow you to control when a pipeline should run based on specific
criteria, such as changes to specific files or branches.

Steps:

1. Use paths Filters: Define which paths should trigger the pipeline.

2. Use Conditions for Complex Triggers: Use conditions based on branch, build status, or
variables.

Example YAML:

trigger:

branches:
 include:

- main

paths:

include:

- src/*

exclude:

- docs/*

Example Use Case: You are working on a project where changes to the src/ folder should trigger the
build pipeline, but changes to documentation (docs/) should not. Using path filters ensures that only
relevant code changes trigger the pipeline.

254. How do you manage YAML pipeline templates for reusability?

Answer: Pipeline templates in Azure DevOps allow you to define reusable pieces of code that can be
shared across multiple pipelines. This improves maintainability and reduces duplication.

Steps:

1. Create a Template YAML File: Define reusable steps, jobs, or stages in a template file.

2. Reference the Template in Other Pipelines: Use the template keyword to include the
template in other pipelines.

Example Template:

parameters:

- name: buildConfig

type: string

default: 'Release'

steps:

- script: echo "Building in $(buildConfig) mode"

Example Pipeline:

jobs:

- template: build-template.yaml

parameters:

buildConfig: 'Debug'
Example Use Case: You have multiple services that follow similar build processes. By creating a
template for the build process, you can reuse it across pipelines for all your services, making
maintenance easier and ensuring consistency.

255. How do you implement a deployment strategy in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: A deployment strategy defines how and when applications are deployed to different
environments. Common strategies include blue-green deployments, canary releases, and rolling
deployments.

Steps to Implement a Strategy:

1. Use Multiple Stages: Define stages for different environments, such as staging and
production.

2. Choose a Deployment Strategy: Implement blue-green, canary, or rolling deployments by

controlling traffic or deployment slots.

Example YAML (Blue-Green Deployment):

stages:

- stage: DeployToGreen

jobs:

- script: echo "Deploying to green environment"

- stage: SwapSlots

jobs:

- script: echo "Swapping green with production"

Example Use Case: You are deploying an application to production but want to minimize downtime.
Using a blue-green deployment strategy, you first deploy the new version to a staging environment
and then swap the traffic to the new version once validated.

256. How do you automate database updates in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can automate database updates using tools like Entity Framework
migrations for .NET or Flyway for SQL scripts. These tools help apply schema changes in sync with
application deployments.

Steps:

1. Run Database Migrations: Add a task to run the database migration command as part of the
pipeline.

2. Handle Rollbacks: Optionally, configure rollback steps in case the deployment fails.

Example YAML (Entity Framework):

steps:
 - task: DotNetCoreCLI@2

inputs:

command: 'ef'

arguments: 'database update'

projects: '**/*.csproj'

Example Use Case: You are deploying a new version of your application that includes schema
changes. The pipeline automatically runs dotnet ef database update to apply the necessary database
changes before deploying the application code.

257. How do you handle secrets and sensitive data in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Pipelines allows you to securely handle secrets and sensitive data through secret
variables or by integrating with Azure Key Vault.

Steps:

1. Store Secrets in Azure Key Vault: Use the AzureKeyVault@1 task to retrieve secrets.

2. Mark Variables as Secret: In the pipeline settings or YAML file, mark sensitive variables as
secret.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: AzureKeyVault@1

inputs:

azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'

keyVaultName: '<key-vault-name>'

secretsFilter: '<secret-name>'

Example Use Case: You are deploying an application that requires sensitive API keys and database
credentials. By storing these secrets in Azure Key Vault and retrieving them during the pipeline
execution, you ensure that sensitive data is handled securely.

258. How do you integrate SonarQube for code quality checks in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: SonarQube is used for static code analysis and code quality checks. Integrating SonarQube
in Azure Pipelines ensures that code meets quality standards before it's deployed.

Steps:

1. Install SonarQube Extension: Add the SonarQube extension from the Azure DevOps
marketplace.
 2. Add SonarQube Tasks to the Pipeline: Configure the pipeline to prepare, analyze, and
publish the code quality report.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: SonarQubePrepare@4

inputs:

SonarQube: '<service-connection>'

projectKey: 'my-project'

- task: SonarQubeAnalyze@4

- task: SonarQubePublish@4

Example Use Case: You are building a Java application and want to ensure code quality. SonarQube
performs static analysis and provides feedback on code smells, bugs, and vulnerabilities during the
build process. The pipeline will fail if the code quality does not meet the defined thresholds.

259. How do you implement automated security scans in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Automated security scans in Azure Pipelines help identify vulnerabilities in code and
dependencies before deployment. Tools like OWASP ZAP or WhiteSource Bolt can be integrated into
the pipeline.

Steps:

1. Add Security Scanning Tools to the Pipeline: Use tasks like OWASPZAP@2 or
WhiteSourceBolt@1 to perform security scans.

2. Fail Pipeline on Security Issues: Configure the pipeline to fail if critical security vulnerabilities
are found.

Example YAML (OWASP ZAP):

steps:

- task: OWASPZAP@2

inputs:

targetUrl: 'http://your-app-url'

failBuildOnError: true

Example Use Case: You are deploying a web application and want to ensure that no security
vulnerabilities are introduced. OWASP ZAP scans the application for common vulnerabilities (such as
XSS or SQL injection) and fails the pipeline if critical issues are detected.

260. How do you manage multi-stage YAML pipelines in Azure DevOps?

Answer: Multi-stage YAML pipelines allow you to define and manage multiple stages (e.g., build, test,
deploy) in a single pipeline file. This provides better control over the CI/CD process.

Steps:

1. Define Stages: Break the pipeline into stages representing different phases, such as build,
test, and deploy.

2. Use Dependencies: Use dependsOn to control the order of execution between stages.

Example YAML:

stages:

- stage: Build

jobs:

- job: BuildJob

steps:

- script: echo "Building..."

- stage: Test

dependsOn: Build

jobs:

- job: TestJob

steps:

- script: echo "Testing..."

- stage: Deploy

dependsOn: Test

jobs:

- job: DeployJob

steps:

- script: echo "Deploying..."

Example Use Case: You are building a web application with distinct phases for building, testing, and
deploying the code. By using a multi-stage pipeline, you ensure that the deployment only occurs if
both the build and test stages succeed.

261. How do you handle approvals in Azure Pipelines for production deployments?

Answer: Approvals in Azure Pipelines allow you to pause the pipeline at critical stages, such as before
deploying to production, until a designated user or group approves the process.

Steps:
 1. Configure Approvals in the Pipeline: Set up pre-deployment approvals in the pipeline’s
environment settings or YAML file.

2. Specify Approvers: Define which users or groups need to approve the deployment.

Example YAML:

stages:

- stage: DeployToProd

environment:

name: 'Production'

approval:

pending:

approvals:

- users:

- '[email protected]'

Example Use Case: You are deploying a critical application to production and want to ensure that it is
reviewed by a manager before the deployment goes live. By configuring approvals, the deployment is
paused until the required approval is given.

262. How do you automate deployment rollbacks in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Automated rollbacks ensure that if a deployment fails, the pipeline can automatically revert
to a previous, stable version.

Steps:

1. Add Rollback Logic to the Pipeline: Define steps to trigger a rollback if the deployment fails.

2. Store Previous Versions: Ensure previous versions of the application are available for
rollback.

Example YAML:

steps:

- script: echo "Deploying new version..."

- script: echo "Deployment failed, rolling back to the previous version"

condition: failed()

Example Use Case: You are deploying a new version of your web application, but if the deployment
introduces a bug, the pipeline automatically rolls back to the last stable version, ensuring minimal
disruption to users.
263. How do you use the dependsOn keyword in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: The dependsOn keyword in Azure Pipelines specifies that a stage or job should only run
after another stage or job has completed. This is useful for controlling the sequence of execution.

Steps:

1. Define Dependencies: Use the dependsOn keyword to specify which stages or jobs should
run before others.

2. Handle Conditional Dependencies: You can also conditionally trigger stages or jobs based on
the success or failure of previous ones.

Example YAML:

stages:

- stage: Build

jobs:

- job: BuildApp

steps:

- script: echo "Building the app"

- stage: Deploy

dependsOn: Build

jobs:

- job: DeployApp

steps:

- script: echo "Deploying the app"

Example Use Case: You are deploying an application that requires a build stage and a deployment
stage. By using dependsOn, you ensure that the deployment only happens after the build has
completed successfully.

264. How do you manage multiple environments (dev, staging, prod) in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: In Azure Pipelines, managing multiple environments (dev, staging, production) is done by
defining separate stages or using environments with environment-specific variables and settings.

Steps:

1. Define Separate Stages for Each Environment: Create stages for each environment (e.g., dev,
staging, prod).

2. Use Environment-Specific Variables: Store environment-specific variables in the pipeline

YAML or use variable groups for different environments.
Example YAML:

stages:

- stage: DeployToDev

jobs:

- script: echo "Deploying to Development"

- stage: DeployToStaging

dependsOn: DeployToDev

jobs:

- script: echo "Deploying to Staging"

- stage: DeployToProd

dependsOn: DeployToStaging

jobs:

- script: echo "Deploying to Production"

Example Use Case: You are deploying a web application that needs to be tested in staging before
going live in production. The pipeline first deploys the application to the development environment,
followed by staging, and finally to production.

265. How do you trigger pipelines from GitHub Actions?

Answer: You can trigger Azure Pipelines from GitHub Actions using the Azure Pipelines REST API or
by setting up webhooks or service connections between GitHub and Azure DevOps.

Steps:

1. Use the Azure Pipelines REST API: Trigger a pipeline from GitHub Actions by calling the Azure
Pipelines API.

2. Set Up a Webhook or Service Connection: You can also configure GitHub Actions to trigger
Azure Pipelines via a service connection.

Example GitHub Action:

jobs:

trigger-azure-pipeline:

runs-on: ubuntu-latest

steps:

- name: Trigger Azure Pipeline

run: |

curl -X POST \
 -u user:PAT \

-H "Content-Type: application/json" \

-d '{"definition": {"id": 1}}' \

https://dev.azure.com/organization/project/_apis/build/builds?api-version=6.0

Example Use Case: You are using GitHub Actions for managing your repository but want to trigger
Azure Pipelines for deployment. The GitHub Action triggers the Azure pipeline after code is pushed
to the main branch.

266. How do you handle infrastructure provisioning with ARM templates in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates allow you to define and provision Azure
infrastructure as code. Azure Pipelines can automatically deploy ARM templates to manage
infrastructure.

Steps:

1. Create ARM Templates: Define your infrastructure using ARM templates.

2. Deploy ARM Templates Using Pipelines: Use the

AzureResourceManagerTemplateDeployment task to apply the templates.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: AzureResourceManagerTemplateDeployment@3

inputs:

azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'

resourceGroupName: '<resource-group>'

templateLocation: 'Linked artifact'

csmFile: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/azuredeploy.json'

Example Use Case: You are managing infrastructure for an Azure-based application and want to
automate the creation and updating of resources like virtual networks, storage accounts, and virtual
machines. By using ARM templates in your pipeline, you can automate the provisioning of resources
in a consistent manner.

267. How do you configure pipeline retention policies in Azure DevOps?

Answer: Retention policies in Azure DevOps control how long pipeline artifacts, logs, and build
results are retained before being automatically deleted. This helps optimize storage and maintain
clean pipelines.

Steps:

1. Set Retention Policies in YAML or Pipeline Settings: Define how long to keep builds, logs,
and artifacts for specific branches or stages.

2. Apply Different Retention Policies for Different Branches: Retain builds for longer periods
on critical branches like main and for shorter periods on feature branches.

Example YAML:

jobs:

- job: Build

retention:

days: 30

steps:

- script: echo "Building the app..."

Example Use Case: You are managing a CI/CD pipeline for a project with a high frequency of builds.
To optimize storage usage, you configure retention policies that delete artifacts after 30 days for
feature branches and retain artifacts for 90 days on the main branch.

268. How do you set up continuous deployment for Azure Functions in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can be configured for continuous deployment (CD) of Azure Functions by
using the AzureFunctionApp@1 task, automating the deployment process whenever changes are
made.

Steps:

1. Use the AzureFunctionApp Task: Add the AzureFunctionApp@1 task to your pipeline to
deploy your Azure Functions automatically.

2. Trigger Deployment on Push: Configure the pipeline to trigger whenever code is pushed to
the repository.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: AzureFunctionApp@1

inputs:

azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
 appName: '<function-app-name>'

package: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)/function.zip'

Example Use Case: You are developing a serverless application using Azure Functions. By setting up
continuous deployment in Azure Pipelines, every time you push changes to the repository, the
pipeline automatically builds and deploys the latest version of your function to Azure.

269. How do you trigger pipelines based on pull requests in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can be triggered by pull requests to automatically build and test changes
before merging into a branch. This ensures that changes are validated before being integrated.

Steps:

1. Use the pr Trigger: Define a pull request trigger in the pipeline YAML to automatically start
the pipeline when a PR is created or updated.

2. Set Up Branch Policies: In Azure Repos, configure branch policies that require a passing build
before allowing the PR to be merged.

Example YAML:

pr:

branches:

include:

- '*'

Example Use Case: You are working on a project where changes are made through pull requests. By
setting up a pipeline that triggers on pull requests, the code is automatically built and tested
whenever a PR is created or updated. This ensures that only validated code is merged into critical
branches.

270. How do you use Docker in Azure Pipelines to build and push images?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can build Docker images and push them to a Docker registry such as Docker
Hub or Azure Container Registry (ACR) using the Docker@2 task.

Steps:

1. Define a Dockerfile: Create a Dockerfile that defines how to build the image.

2. Use the Docker Task: Add the Docker@2 task in the pipeline to build and push the image.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: Docker@2

inputs:
 command: 'buildAndPush'

repository: '<your-docker-repo>'

Dockerfile: '**/Dockerfile'

containerRegistry: '<container-registry-connection>'

tags: '$(Build.BuildId)'

Example Use Case: You are building a Node.js microservice and want to containerize it for
deployment. The pipeline builds the Docker image from the Dockerfile, tags it, and pushes it to
Docker Hub or Azure Container Registry, making it ready for deployment to a Kubernetes cluster.

271. How do you implement cross-project dependencies in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Cross-project dependencies allow one pipeline to consume artifacts or trigger builds from
another project. This is useful when managing large projects with shared libraries or services.

Steps:

1. Use Pipeline Resources: Define a pipeline from another project as a resource.

2. Trigger Pipelines or Download Artifacts: Configure pipelines to trigger based on the

completion of other pipelines or consume artifacts from other projects.

Example YAML:

resources:

pipelines:

- pipeline: 'SharedLibraryPipeline'

project: 'SharedLibraryProject'

trigger: true

Example Use Case: You are working on a project that depends on a shared library maintained in
another project. When the shared library is updated, the pipeline for your project is triggered
automatically, ensuring that the latest version of the library is used.

272. How do you use ARM templates to manage infrastructure in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: ARM templates define infrastructure as code for Azure resources. Azure Pipelines can use
ARM templates to automate the provisioning and updating of infrastructure.

Steps:
 1. Create an ARM Template: Define your Azure resources using ARM templates.

2. Deploy the Template Using Azure Pipelines: Use the

AzureResourceManagerTemplateDeployment task to apply the ARM template.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: AzureResourceManagerTemplateDeployment@3

inputs:

azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'

resourceGroupName: '<resource-group>'

templateLocation: 'Linked artifact'

csmFile: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/templates/azuredeploy.json'

csmParametersFile: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/templates/azuredeploy.parameters.json'

Example Use Case: You are managing infrastructure for an Azure application, including virtual
networks, storage, and compute resources. By using ARM templates in your pipeline, you ensure that
infrastructure is consistently provisioned across multiple environments (e.g., dev, QA, prod).

273. How do you handle parallel execution of jobs in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Parallel execution of jobs in Azure Pipelines allows multiple jobs or stages to run
simultaneously, improving pipeline efficiency by reducing the total time required for completion.

Steps:

1. Define Parallel Jobs: Create multiple jobs that can run independently in the same stage.

2. Configure Agent Pools: Use Microsoft-hosted or self-hosted agent pools to distribute parallel
jobs across multiple agents.

Example YAML:

jobs:

- job: BuildApp1

steps:

- script: echo "Building App 1"

- job: BuildApp2

steps:

- script: echo "Building App 2"

Example Use Case: You are working on a project that includes multiple microservices. By running
build jobs for each service in parallel, you significantly reduce the overall build time, making the CI
process faster and more efficient.

274. How do you configure rollback for Azure App Service deployments in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Rollback for Azure App Service deployments allows you to revert to a previous stable
version if a deployment fails. This is typically done using deployment slots.

Steps:

1. Deploy to a Staging Slot: Deploy the new version to a staging slot before swapping it into
production.

2. Rollback to Previous Version: If the deployment fails, swap back to the previous version in
the production slot.

Example YAML:

stages:

- stage: DeployToStaging

jobs:

- task: AzureWebApp@1

inputs:

azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'

appName: '<app-name>'

slotName: 'staging'

- stage: SwapSlots

dependsOn: DeployToStaging

jobs:

- script: echo "Swapping staging with production"

Example Use Case: You are deploying a new version of your web application but want to ensure
minimal downtime and easy rollback. By deploying to a staging slot first and only swapping to
production after validating the deployment, you can easily revert to the previous version if any issues
are encountered.

275. How do you handle notifications in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Notifications in Azure Pipelines can be configured to alert team members about pipeline
status, such as build successes, failures, or approvals, via email, Microsoft Teams, or other tools.

Steps:
 1. Set Up Notifications in Azure DevOps: Go to Project Settings > Notifications to configure
notification rules.

2. Use External Notification Tools: Integrate Azure Pipelines with tools like Microsoft Teams or
Slack for real-time notifications.

Example Use Case: You want to notify the QA team whenever a build is successfully deployed to the
staging environment. By configuring notifications, the QA team receives alerts in Microsoft Teams
when the pipeline reaches the deployment stage.

276. How do you manage agent pools in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Agent pools in Azure Pipelines are groups of build agents that can be used to run jobs. You
can use Microsoft-hosted agents or set up your own self-hosted agents.

Steps:

1. Set Up an Agent Pool: Create or configure agent pools in Project Settings > Agent Pools.

2. Assign Jobs to Specific Pools: Use the pool keyword in the YAML file to assign jobs to specific
agent pools.

Example YAML:

jobs:

- job: Build

pool:

name: 'MySelfHostedPool'

steps:

- script: echo "Building the app"

Example Use Case: You are running a pipeline that requires specific software versions or
configurations not available on Microsoft-hosted agents. By setting up self-hosted agents in a custom
pool, you ensure that your jobs run in the right environment.

277. How do you manage pipeline caching to improve build performance in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Pipeline caching in Azure Pipelines stores dependencies and other build outputs between
pipeline runs, reducing the time spent on repeated work, such as downloading packages or compiling
unchanged code.

Steps:

1. Use the CacheBeta@2 Task: Define what should be cached (e.g., package manager caches,
build outputs).

2. Configure Cache Key: Use a cache key based on the dependencies to determine when the
cache should be reused.
Example YAML:

steps:

- task: CacheBeta@2

inputs:

key: 'npm | "$(Agent.OS)" | package-lock.json'

path: '$(Pipeline.Workspace)/.npm'

cacheHitVar: 'CACHE_RESTORED'

- script: npm install

condition: ne(variables['CACHE_RESTORED'], 'true')

Example Use Case: You are building a Node.js application and want to speed up builds by caching
npm dependencies. By configuring pipeline caching, subsequent builds reuse the cached
node_modules directory, significantly reducing the time spent on dependency installation.

278. How do you use environment variables in Azure Pipelines to manage configuration
differences?

Answer: Environment variables in Azure Pipelines allow you to pass configuration data to tasks and
scripts during the pipeline execution. They can be defined at the pipeline level, job level, or in scripts.

Steps:

1. Define Variables in YAML: Use the variables section to define environment variables.

2. Access Variables in Scripts: Use $(variableName) syntax to access variables within steps.

Example YAML:

variables:

environment: 'Production'

steps:

- script: echo "Deploying to $(environment)"

Example Use Case: You are deploying an application to multiple environments, and each
environment requires different configurations, such as database connection strings. By using
environment variables, you can manage environment-specific configurations without duplicating the
pipeline logic.

279. How do you run tests in parallel in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Running tests in parallel in Azure Pipelines helps reduce the overall test execution time by
distributing the workload across multiple agents or jobs.
Steps:

1. Use the parallel Strategy: Define a parallel strategy in the job to split tests across multiple
agents.

2. Distribute Test Workloads: Split the tests across multiple agents or jobs to reduce execution
time.

Example YAML:

jobs:

- job: Test

strategy:

parallel: 4

steps:

- script: echo "Running tests"

Example Use Case: You have a large test suite that takes too long to run sequentially. By configuring
the pipeline to run tests in parallel across four agents, the total test time is significantly reduced.

280. How do you configure approvals for production environments in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Approvals for production environments in Azure Pipelines ensure that deployments to
production are reviewed and approved by designated users or groups before proceeding.

Steps:

1. Set Up Approvals in the Environment Settings: Configure pre-deployment approvals in the

environment settings or YAML file.

2. Specify Approvers: Define users or groups required to approve the deployment.

Example YAML:

stages:

- stage: DeployToProd

environment:

name: 'Production'

approval:

pending:

approvals:

- users:

- '[email protected]'
Example Use Case: You are deploying a critical application to production and want to ensure that the
deployment is reviewed by the operations team before it goes live. The pipeline pauses at the
production stage until the required approvals are provided.

281. How do you use Azure Key Vault in Azure Pipelines for secret management?

Answer: Azure Key Vault is used to securely store and manage sensitive data such as API keys,
passwords, and certificates. Azure Pipelines can integrate with Azure Key Vault to retrieve secrets
during pipeline execution.

Steps:

1. Create a Key Vault: Store your secrets in Azure Key Vault.

2. Add a Key Vault Task in the Pipeline: Use the AzureKeyVault@1 task to retrieve secrets from
the Key Vault.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: AzureKeyVault@1

inputs:

azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'

keyVaultName: '<key-vault-name>'

secretsFilter: '<secret-name>'

Example Use Case: You are deploying an application that requires access to sensitive database
credentials. By integrating Azure Key Vault with your pipeline, you can retrieve the credentials
securely without hardcoding them in the pipeline or code.

282. How do you handle cross-repo builds in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Cross-repo builds allow you to trigger builds across multiple repositories or share artifacts
between them. This is useful for projects that depend on libraries or components stored in separate
repositories.

Steps:

1. Use Pipeline Resources: Define pipelines from other repositories as resources in your YAML
file.

2. Trigger Cross-Repo Builds: Configure pipelines to trigger builds in other repositories or

consume their artifacts.

Example YAML:

resources:

pipelines:
 - pipeline: 'LibraryPipeline'

source: 'LibraryRepo'

trigger: true

Example Use Case: You are working on a project that depends on a shared library stored in a
different repository. When the shared library is updated, the pipeline in your main project is
automatically triggered, ensuring that the latest version of the library is used.

283. How do you configure pipeline caching in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Pipeline caching in Azure Pipelines allows you to store and reuse build outputs or
dependencies between pipeline runs, improving build performance by avoiding redundant work.

Steps:

1. Use the CacheBeta@2 Task: Define which files or directories should be cached (e.g.,
dependencies, build outputs).

2. Configure Cache Keys: Use a cache key based on file content (e.g., package-lock.json for
npm) to determine when the cache should be reused.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: CacheBeta@2

inputs:

key: 'npm | "$(Agent.OS)" | package-lock.json'

path: '$(Pipeline.Workspace)/.npm'

cacheHitVar: 'CACHE_RESTORED'

- script: npm install

condition: ne(variables['CACHE_RESTORED'], 'true')

Example Use Case: You are building a Node.js application and want to cache npm dependencies
between pipeline runs. By caching the node_modules directory, subsequent builds are faster as the
dependencies don’t need to be reinstalled.

284. How do you manage pipeline variables in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Pipeline variables in Azure Pipelines allow you to pass configuration data between jobs and
stages. Variables can be defined at the pipeline, job, or environment level and can also be secret.

Steps:

1. Define Variables in YAML or UI: Use the variables section in YAML or define variables in the
pipeline settings.
 2. Reference Variables in Scripts: Use $(variableName) to access variables in scripts or tasks.

Example YAML:

variables:

buildConfig: 'Release'

environment: 'Production'

steps:

- script: echo "Building in $(buildConfig) mode"

Example Use Case: You are deploying an application to multiple environments and need different
settings for each environment. By defining environment-specific variables, you can easily switch
between configurations without duplicating the pipeline code.

285. How do you set up automated testing in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Automated testing in Azure Pipelines ensures that tests (e.g., unit, integration, end-to-end)
are run as part of the CI/CD process, validating code before it is deployed.

Steps:

1. Run Tests Using the Appropriate Tool: Use tasks like DotNetCoreCLI@2 for .NET projects,
Npm@1 for Node.js, or Maven@3 for Java projects.

2. Publish Test Results: Use the PublishTestResults@2 task to publish test results to Azure
Pipelines.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: DotNetCoreCLI@2

inputs:

command: 'test'

projects: '**/*.csproj'

- task: PublishTestResults@2

inputs:

testResultsFormat: 'JUnit'

testResultsFiles: '**/test-results.xml'

Example Use Case: You are working on a .NET Core application and want to ensure that all unit tests
pass before the code is deployed. By configuring the pipeline to run the tests and publish the results,
you can catch issues early in the development process.
286. How do you use pipeline templates in Azure Pipelines to standardize your CI/CD processes?

Answer: Pipeline templates in Azure Pipelines allow you to define reusable components (e.g., steps,
jobs, stages) that can be shared across multiple pipelines, promoting consistency and reducing
duplication.

Steps:

1. Create a Template YAML File: Define reusable steps, jobs, or stages in a template file.

2. Reference the Template in Pipelines: Use the template keyword to include the template in
other pipelines.

Example Template (build-template.yaml):

parameters:

- name: buildConfig

type: string

default: 'Release'

steps:

- script: echo "Building in $(buildConfig) mode"

Example Pipeline:

stages:

- template: build-template.yaml

parameters:

buildConfig: 'Debug'

Example Use Case: You have multiple microservices with similar build processes. By creating a build
template, you can standardize the build steps across all services, improving maintainability and
consistency.

287. How do you set up approvals for gated deployments in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Gated deployments in Azure Pipelines require manual approval or automated checks (gates)
before progressing to the next stage, such as deploying to production.

Steps:

1. Set Up Pre-Deployment Approvals: Configure approvals in the pipeline’s environment

settings or YAML file.
 2. Use Gates for Automated Checks: Add gates to monitor metrics or validate conditions before
deployment.

Example YAML:

stages:

- stage: DeployToProd

environment:

name: 'Production'

approval:

pending:

approvals:

- users:

- '[email protected]'

gates:

preDeploy:

- azureMonitor:

condition: 'avg(failureRate) < 0.05'

Example Use Case: You are deploying a critical application to production and want to ensure that
both manual approval and system health checks are completed before proceeding. By configuring
approvals and gates, you ensure that the deployment only happens when all conditions are met.

288. How do you handle cross-platform builds in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Cross-platform builds in Azure Pipelines allow you to build and test applications on multiple
platforms (e.g., Windows, Linux, macOS) using a single pipeline.

Steps:

1. Use Platform-Specific Jobs: Define jobs that target specific platforms by specifying the
vmImage.

2. Run Jobs in Parallel: Use parallel jobs to run builds for multiple platforms simultaneously.

Example YAML:

jobs:

- job: BuildOnWindows

pool:

vmImage: 'windows-latest'

steps:
 - script: echo "Building on Windows"

- job: BuildOnLinux

pool:

vmImage: 'ubuntu-latest'

steps:

- script: echo "Building on Linux"

Example Use Case: You are building a cross-platform application that needs to be tested on both
Windows and Linux. By defining separate jobs for each platform, you can ensure that the application
builds and runs correctly on all supported platforms.

289. How do you use Azure Artifacts in Azure Pipelines to manage dependencies?

Answer: Azure Artifacts allows you to create and manage NuGet, npm, Maven, or Python package
feeds. Azure Pipelines can use Azure Artifacts to manage dependencies, sharing them across teams
or projects.

Steps:

1. Create a Feed in Azure Artifacts: Set up an Azure Artifacts feed to store and manage
packages.

2. Use the Feed in Pipelines: Add the feed to your pipeline, either to publish or consume
packages.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: DotNetCoreCLI@2

inputs:

command: 'restore'

feedsToUse: 'select'

vstsFeed: '<your-feed>'

Example Use Case: You are working on a .NET project that uses custom NuGet packages stored in
Azure Artifacts. By configuring the pipeline to restore packages from your Azure Artifacts feed, you
ensure that all dependencies are available during the build.

290. How do you trigger pipelines based on schedule in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Scheduled triggers in Azure Pipelines allow you to automatically run pipelines at specific
times or intervals, such as daily builds or weekly deployments.

Steps:
 1. Use the schedules Trigger: Define the schedule in the pipeline YAML file using cron syntax.

2. Configure Time Zones: Optionally, specify the time zone for the schedule.

Example YAML:

schedules:

- cron: "0 2 * * 1-5" # Runs at 2 AM every weekday

displayName: "Daily Build"

branches:

include:

- main

Example Use Case: You are managing a project that requires daily builds to run at 2 AM on
weekdays. By setting up a scheduled trigger, the pipeline automatically runs the build without any
manual intervention.

291. How do you implement notifications for pipeline failures in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Notifications for pipeline failures help keep team members informed about build or
deployment issues. Azure Pipelines can send notifications via email, Microsoft Teams, or other
services when a pipeline fails.

Steps:

1. Set Up Notifications in Azure DevOps: Configure notification rules in Project Settings >
Notifications to send alerts on pipeline failures.

2. Integrate with External Tools: Use integrations with Microsoft Teams, Slack, or other tools to
send real-time notifications.

Example Use Case: You want to notify the development team whenever a build or deployment
pipeline fails. By setting up email notifications or integrating with Microsoft Teams, team members
receive alerts as soon as an issue is detected, allowing them to address the problem quickly.

292. How do you manage pipeline timeouts in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Pipeline timeouts prevent long-running jobs or stages from consuming resources
indefinitely. Azure Pipelines allows you to configure timeouts for jobs and tasks.

Steps:

1. Set Timeout in YAML: Use the timeoutInMinutes property to specify how long a job or stage
should run before timing out.

2. Configure Global Timeouts: You can also set global timeout settings for the entire pipeline.

Example YAML:
jobs:

- job: LongRunningJob

timeoutInMinutes: 120

steps:

- script: echo "Running a long task"

Example Use Case: You are running a pipeline that includes long-running integration tests. By setting
a custom timeout of 120 minutes, you ensure that the job does not run indefinitely if there are issues
during the test execution.

293. How do you handle versioning in Azure Pipelines for release builds?

Answer: Versioning in Azure Pipelines allows you to manage and track the versions of release builds.
This is often done using semver (Semantic Versioning) or other versioning schemes.

Steps:

1. Use Build Variables for Versioning: Set version variables based on the build number, branch,
or tag.

2. Tag Releases: Use the GitTag@1 task to tag releases with the appropriate version.

Example YAML:

steps:

- script: echo "##vso[build.updatebuildnumber]1.0.$(Build.BuildId)"

- task: GitTag@1

inputs:

tag: 'v1.0.$(Build.BuildId)'

Example Use Case: You are releasing a new version of your application and want to tag the release
with a version number that increments with each build. By setting up versioning in the pipeline, you
ensure that each release is uniquely identified and tracked.

294. How do you use Azure DevOps variable groups in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Variable groups in Azure DevOps allow you to define and manage sets of variables that can
be shared across multiple pipelines.

Steps:

1. Create a Variable Group: In Azure DevOps, go to Pipelines > Library and create a variable
group.
 2. Link the Variable Group to a Pipeline: In your pipeline YAML, link the variable group using
the group keyword.

Example YAML:

variables:

- group: 'MyVariableGroup'

steps:

- script: echo "Deploying to $(environment)"

Example Use Case: You are managing multiple pipelines that share common environment-specific
variables, such as database connection strings or API keys. By using a variable group, you can define
the variables once and reuse them across all pipelines, ensuring consistency.

295. How do you configure environment-specific deployments in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Environment-specific deployments in Azure Pipelines allow you to customize deployments

based on the target environment (e.g., dev, QA, production) using variables or templates.

Steps:

1. Use Environment Variables: Define environment-specific variables in the YAML file or use
variable groups for each environment.

2. Set Up Deployment Stages: Create separate stages for each environment and configure
them with the appropriate settings.

Example YAML:

stages:

- stage: DeployToDev

jobs:

- script: echo "Deploying to Development"

- stage: DeployToProd

dependsOn: DeployToDev

jobs:

- script: echo "Deploying to Production"

Example Use Case: You are deploying an application to multiple environments, each requiring
different configurations, such as API endpoints or database connection strings. By defining
environment-specific variables and stages, you ensure that the correct configuration is used for each
environment.
296. How do you handle rollbacks for failed deployments in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Rollbacks for failed deployments in Azure Pipelines allow you to revert to a previous stable
version if a deployment fails, ensuring minimal downtime and impact on users.

Steps:

1. Add Rollback Logic: Define rollback steps that trigger if the deployment fails.

2. Use Deployment History: Store previous versions of the application for rollback.

Example YAML:

steps:

- script: echo "Deploying new version..."

- script: echo "Rolling back to previous version"

condition: failed()

Example Use Case: You are deploying a new version of your web application, but if the deployment
fails due to a bug or configuration issue, the pipeline automatically rolls back to the previous version,
ensuring that users experience minimal disruption.

297. How do you implement blue-green deployments in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Blue-green deployments allow you to reduce downtime and risks by maintaining two
identical environments (blue and green) and switching traffic between them during deployment.

Steps:

1. Deploy to the Green Environment: Deploy the new version to the green environment.

2. Switch Traffic: After verifying the deployment, switch traffic from the blue environment to
the green environment.

Example YAML:

stages:

- stage: DeployToGreen

jobs:

- script: echo "Deploying to green environment"

- stage: SwitchTraffic

dependsOn: DeployToGreen

jobs:

- script: echo "Switching traffic to green environment"

Example Use Case: You are deploying a new version of your web application and want to minimize
downtime. By using a blue-green deployment strategy, you first deploy the new version to the green
environment, verify that it works, and then switch the traffic to the new environment, ensuring a
smooth transition.

298. How do you handle pipeline dependencies in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Pipeline dependencies in Azure Pipelines allow you to control the order of execution
between stages, jobs, or even separate pipelines.

Steps:

1. Use the dependsOn Keyword: Define dependencies between stages or jobs using the
dependsOn keyword.

2. Set Conditional Dependencies: Use conditions like succeeded() to trigger jobs or stages
based on the outcome of previous ones.

Example YAML:

stages:

- stage: Build

jobs:

- script: echo "Building the app..."

- stage: Deploy

dependsOn: Build

jobs:

- script: echo "Deploying the app..."

Example Use Case: You are deploying an application with multiple stages, and the deployment stage
should only run after the build stage has completed successfully. By configuring dependencies
between the stages, you ensure that the pipeline proceeds in the correct order.

299. How do you manage parallel jobs in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Parallel jobs in Azure Pipelines allow you to run multiple jobs simultaneously, reducing the
overall time required for pipeline execution.

Steps:

1. Define Multiple Jobs: Create multiple jobs in the pipeline that can run in parallel.

2. Use Parallel Strategies: You can also define strategies to parallelize tasks within a job.

Example YAML:

jobs:

- job: BuildApp1
 steps:

- script: echo "Building App 1"

- job: BuildApp2

steps:

- script: echo "Building App 2"

Example Use Case: You are building a project with multiple microservices, and each microservice can
be built independently. By running the build jobs for each microservice in parallel, you reduce the
total build time, making the CI process faster and more efficient.

300. How do you use pipelines as code (YAML) in Azure DevOps for version control?

Answer: Pipelines as code in Azure DevOps allow you to define your CI/CD pipelines in YAML files,
which are stored in version control alongside your application code. This provides better traceability
and enables you to version your pipeline configurations.

Steps:

1. Define the Pipeline in YAML: Create a YAML file in your repository that defines the pipeline
configuration.

2. Store the YAML File in Version Control: Commit the YAML file to your Git repository, allowing
you to version and track changes to the pipeline.

Example YAML:

trigger:

branches:

include:

- main

stages:

- stage: Build

jobs:

- script: echo "Building the app..."

Example Use Case: You are managing a complex CI/CD pipeline for a microservices-based
application. By storing the pipeline configuration in a YAML file within the repository, you can version
the pipeline alongside the application code, ensuring that changes to the pipeline are tracked and
reviewed just like the code.
Answer: The strategy keyword in Azure Pipelines allows you to define matrix builds, where the same
job is executed multiple times with different configurations (e.g., different platforms or
environments).

Steps:

1. Define a Matrix of Configurations: Use the matrix strategy to define multiple configurations
for the same job.

2. Run the Job for Each Configuration: The job runs once for each combination of
configurations.

Example YAML:

jobs:
- job: Test
strategy:
matrix:
linux:
vmImage: 'ubuntu-latest'
nodeVersion: '12.x'
windows:
vmImage: 'windows-latest'
nodeVersion: '14.x'
steps:
- script: echo "Testing on $(vmImage) with Node.js $(nodeVersion)"

Example Use Case: You are developing a cross-platform application and want to test it on both Linux
and Windows with different Node.js versions. By defining a matrix, the pipeline automatically runs
tests on both platforms with different configurations, ensuring compatibility.

304. How do you trigger pipelines based on external events in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: You can trigger Azure Pipelines based on external events, such as commits to a GitHub
repository or API calls from external systems.

Steps:

1. Use Webhooks or Service Hooks: Configure Azure Pipelines to listen to external events using
webhooks or service hooks.

2. Use REST API: Trigger pipelines programmatically using the Azure DevOps REST API.

Example Use Case: You are integrating with a third-party service that triggers a build whenever a
specific event occurs (e.g., a new version is released). By setting up a webhook or using the Azure
DevOps REST API, you can trigger a pipeline based on these external events.

305. How do you integrate Azure DevOps with Terraform for infrastructure as code (IaC)?

Answer: Terraform is an Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tool that can be integrated into Azure Pipelines
to automate the provisioning and management of cloud infrastructure.
Steps:

1. Install Terraform: Use the TerraformInstaller@0 task to install Terraform on the pipeline
agent.

2. Apply Terraform Configurations: Use the TerraformTaskV2@2 task to run Terraform

commands and apply the infrastructure.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: TerraformInstaller@0
inputs:
terraformVersion: 'latest'
- task: TerraformTaskV2@2
inputs:
command: 'apply'
workingDirectory: './terraform'
Example Use Case: You are managing cloud infrastructure for a web application and want to
automate the provisioning of resources like virtual machines and networks. By integrating Terraform
into your pipeline, you ensure consistent infrastructure management across multiple environments.

306. How do you manage pipeline dependencies across multiple repositories in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: You can manage dependencies across multiple repositories in Azure Pipelines by using
pipeline resources or artifact sharing.

Steps:

1. Use Pipeline Resources: Define pipelines from other repositories as resources in the YAML
file.

2. Share Artifacts Across Repositories: Publish and consume artifacts between repositories.

Example YAML:

resources:
pipelines:
- pipeline: 'LibraryPipeline'
source: 'LibraryRepo'
trigger: true

Example Use Case: You are working on a project that depends on a shared library stored in a
different repository. When the shared library is updated, your pipeline is triggered automatically to
build and test the application with the latest version of the library.

307. How do you implement GitHub Actions integration with Azure Pipelines?
Answer: Azure Pipelines can be integrated with GitHub Actions to trigger pipelines from GitHub
repositories or to run Azure Pipelines after GitHub Actions workflows.

Steps:

1. Trigger Azure Pipelines from GitHub Actions: Use the Azure Pipelines REST API to trigger
pipelines from GitHub Actions.

2. Use GitHub Actions to Run Workflows: GitHub Actions can call Azure Pipelines for complex
builds or deployments.

Example GitHub Action:

jobs:
trigger-azure-pipeline:
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
steps:
- name: Trigger Azure Pipeline
run: |
curl -X POST \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"definition": {"id": 1}}' \
https://dev.azure.com/organization/project/_apis/build/builds?api-version=6.0

Example Use Case: You are using GitHub Actions for simple CI tasks but want to use Azure Pipelines
for more complex deployments. By triggering Azure Pipelines from GitHub Actions, you can extend
your CI/CD process across both platforms.

308. How do you configure pipeline variables based on different environments in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: In Azure Pipelines, you can configure pipeline variables that change based on the target
environment (e.g., development, staging, production).

Steps:

1. Use Environment-Specific Variables: Define environment-specific variables in the YAML file

or use variable groups for each environment.

2. Access Variables in the Pipeline: Reference the variables in the pipeline steps or tasks.

Example YAML:

variables:
devConnectionString: 'Server=dev;Database=mydb'
prodConnectionString: 'Server=prod;Database=mydb'

stages:
- stage: DeployToDev
jobs:
- script: echo "Using connection string $(devConnectionString)"
- stage: DeployToProd
jobs:
 - script: echo "Using connection string $(prodConnectionString)"

Example Use Case: You are deploying an application to multiple environments, each requiring
different database connection strings. By using environment-specific variables, you ensure that the
correct connection string is used for each deployment.

309. How do you manage pipeline caching in Azure Pipelines to optimize build performance?

Answer: Pipeline caching in Azure Pipelines helps optimize build performance by storing
dependencies or build outputs between pipeline runs, reducing the time spent on repeated work.

Steps:

1. Use the CacheBeta@2 Task: Define what should be cached (e.g., npm dependencies, build
artifacts).

2. Configure a Cache Key: Use a cache key based on file content or environment.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: CacheBeta@2
inputs:
key: 'npm | "$(Agent.OS)" | package-lock.json'
path: '$(Pipeline.Workspace)/.npm'
cacheHitVar: 'CACHE_RESTORED'
- script: npm install
condition: ne(variables['CACHE_RESTORED'], 'true')

Example Use Case: You are working on a Node.js application and want to cache npm dependencies
between builds to reduce the time spent on npm install. By caching the node_modules directory,
subsequent builds are faster, as dependencies don’t need to be reinstalled.

310. How do you handle Azure Policy as Code in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Policy as Code allows you to define and enforce policies on your Azure resources
using code. Azure Pipelines can automate the deployment of these policies using ARM templates or
Azure CLI.

Steps:

1. Define Policies in ARM Templates: Use ARM templates to define Azure policies.

2. Deploy Policies Using Azure Pipelines: Use the AzureResourceManagerTemplateDeployment

task to apply the policies.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: AzureResourceManagerTemplateDeployment@3
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
 resourceGroupName: '<resource-group>'
templateLocation: 'Linked artifact'
csmFile: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/policies/azurepolicy.json'

Example Use Case: You are managing cloud resources and want to enforce policies, such as requiring
resource tagging or restricting VM sizes. By defining these policies in ARM templates and applying
them via Azure Pipelines, you automate the governance of your resources.

311. How do you set up approvals and gates for production deployments in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Approvals and gates in Azure Pipelines ensure that deployments to production are reviewed
and that the environment is healthy before proceeding.

Steps:

1. Set Up Approvals: Define pre-deployment approvals that require manual review before
deploying to production.

2. Add Gates for Automated Checks: Use gates to verify metrics like system health,
performance, or alerts.

Example YAML:

stages:
- stage: DeployToProd
environment:
name: 'Production'
approval:
pending:
approvals:
- users:
- '[email protected]'
gates:
preDeploy:
- azureMonitor:
condition: 'avg(cpuUsage) < 80%'

Example Use Case: You are deploying a mission-critical application to production and want to ensure
that both manual approval and system health checks are completed before the deployment
proceeds. By setting up approvals and gates, you reduce the risk of failed deployments affecting
users.

312. How do you implement Azure Policy enforcement in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Policy enforcement ensures that resources comply with organizational policies (e.g.,
resource tagging, VM sizes) during deployment. Azure Pipelines can automate the application and
verification of these policies.
Steps:

1. Define Azure Policies: Create policies in Azure or ARM templates that enforce organizational
standards.

2. Enforce Policies in Pipelines: Use the Azure CLI or ARM template tasks in Azure Pipelines to
enforce these policies.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: AzureCLI@2
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
scriptType: 'bash'
scriptLocation: 'inlineScript'
inlineScript: 'az policy assignment create --name "ResourceTaggingPolicy" --policy
"/subscriptions/<subscription-id>/providers/Microsoft.Authorization/policyDefinitions/<policy-id>" -
-scope "/subscriptions/<subscription-id>"'

Example Use Case: You are deploying resources in Azure and want to enforce a policy that requires
all resources to have specific tags (e.g., environment or owner). By automating the enforcement of
these policies in Azure Pipelines, you ensure that all resources comply with your organization's
standards.

313. How do you configure pipeline variables for secure data in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Pipeline variables in Azure Pipelines can be used to securely store sensitive data such as
passwords, API keys, and connection strings. These variables can be marked as secret, ensuring they
are encrypted and not exposed in logs.

Steps:

1. Mark Variables as Secret: In the pipeline settings or YAML file, mark sensitive variables as
secret.

2. Use Azure Key Vault: Store and retrieve secrets from Azure Key Vault for additional security.

Example YAML:

variables:
- name: secretApiKey
value: $(keyFromVault)
isSecret: true

steps:
- script: echo "Using the secret API key"
env:
SECRET_KEY: $(secretApiKey)

Example Use Case: You are deploying an application that requires sensitive credentials for accessing
third-party APIs. By marking the variables as secret and retrieving them securely from Azure Key
Vault, you ensure that sensitive information is not exposed during the pipeline run.
314. How do you configure artifact retention policies in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Artifact retention policies in Azure Pipelines control how long build artifacts are stored
before being automatically deleted, helping to optimize storage usage.

Steps:

1. Set Retention Policies: Define retention policies for artifacts based on pipeline, branch, or
artifact type.

2. Configure Retention in YAML: Use the retention keyword to set retention policies in the
YAML file.

Example YAML:

jobs:
- job: Build
retention:
days: 30
steps:
- script: echo "Building the app..."
Example Use Case: You are managing a project with frequent builds and want to optimize storage
usage by deleting artifacts after 30 days. By setting retention policies, you ensure that only recent
artifacts are retained, freeing up storage space for new builds.

315. How do you implement cross-project builds in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Cross-project builds in Azure Pipelines allow you to trigger builds across different projects,
enabling teams to manage dependencies and shared libraries effectively.

Steps:

1. Use Pipeline Resources: Define pipelines from other projects as resources in your YAML file.

2. Trigger Builds Across Projects: Configure pipelines to trigger builds in other projects or
consume their artifacts.

Example YAML:

resources:
pipelines:
- pipeline: 'SharedLibraryPipeline'
project: 'SharedLibraryProject'
trigger: true

Example Use Case: You are working on a project that depends on a shared library maintained in a
separate project. By triggering cross-project builds, you ensure that changes to the shared library
automatically trigger builds in your main project, keeping everything up to date.

316. How do you configure pipeline notifications for success or failure in Azure Pipelines?
Answer: Pipeline notifications in Azure Pipelines alert team members about the success or failure of
a build or deployment via email, Microsoft Teams, or other services.

Steps:

1. Set Up Notifications in Azure DevOps: Configure notification rules in Project Settings >
Notifications to send alerts on pipeline events.

2. Use External Notification Tools: Integrate Azure Pipelines with Microsoft Teams, Slack, or
other tools to send real-time notifications.

Example Use Case: You want to notify the development team when a build or deployment pipeline
fails. By configuring email notifications or integrating with Microsoft Teams, team members receive
alerts when an issue occurs, allowing them to take immediate action.

317. How do you use Azure DevOps service connections for multi-cloud deployments in Azure
Pipelines?

Answer: Service connections in Azure DevOps allow pipelines to authenticate with multiple cloud
providers (Azure, AWS, GCP) for multi-cloud deployments.

Steps:

1. Create Service Connections: Set up service connections for each cloud provider in Project
Settings > Service Connections.

2. Use Service Connections in Pipelines: Reference the service connections in the pipeline to
deploy to multiple clouds.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: AzureCLI@2
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<azure-service-connection>'
scriptType: 'bash'
scriptLocation: 'inlineScript'
inlineScript: 'az webapp deploy --name myapp --src-path $(Pipeline.Workspace)/myapp.zip'

- task: AWSShellScript@1
inputs:
awsCredentials: '<aws-service-connection>'
scriptType: 'inline'
inlineScript: 'aws s3 cp myapp.zip s3://mybucket'

Example Use Case: You are deploying an application across Azure and AWS. By setting up service
connections for both cloud providers, the pipeline can handle multi-cloud deployments seamlessly
within the same job.

318. How do you manage pipeline artifacts across jobs and stages in Azure Pipelines?
Answer: Pipeline artifacts in Azure Pipelines allow you to share files or build outputs between jobs or
stages, enabling different parts of the pipeline to access and use them.

Steps:

1. Publish Artifacts: Use the PublishPipelineArtifact or PublishBuildArtifacts task to store

artifacts.

2. Download Artifacts in Subsequent Jobs: Use the DownloadPipelineArtifact task to retrieve

artifacts in later stages or jobs.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: PublishPipelineArtifact@1

inputs:

targetPath: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)'

artifactName: 'myArtifact'

- task: DownloadPipelineArtifact@2

inputs:

artifactName: 'myArtifact'

targetPath: '$(Pipeline.Workspace)'

Example Use Case: You are building a .NET Core application and want to share the compiled binaries
between the build and deployment stages. By publishing and downloading the pipeline artifacts, the
deployment stage can access the build outputs without rerunning the build.

319. How do you trigger pipelines based on external dependencies in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can be triggered based on external dependencies, such as changes in
external repositories or events from third-party services.

Steps:

1. Use Pipeline Resources: Define external repositories or pipelines as resources in your YAML
file.

2. Set Up Webhooks or API Triggers: Use webhooks or the Azure DevOps REST API to trigger
pipelines based on external events.

Example YAML:

resources:
pipelines:
- pipeline: 'ExternalRepoPipeline'
source: 'external-repo'
trigger: true
Example Use Case: You are working on a project that depends on a shared component in an external
repository. When changes are made to the external component, your pipeline is automatically
triggered to build and test your project with the latest version.

320. How do you manage deployment slots in Azure App Service using Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Deployment slots in Azure App Service allow you to deploy applications to a staging
environment before swapping the new version into production. Azure Pipelines can automate
deployments to these slots.

Steps:

1. Deploy to a Staging Slot: Use the AzureWebApp@1 task to deploy the application to a
staging slot.

2. Swap Slots: Use the Azure CLI or ARM templates to swap the staging slot with production.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: AzureWebApp@1
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
appName: '<app-name>'
slotName: 'staging'
- task: AzureCLI@2
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
scriptType: 'bash'
scriptLocation: 'inlineScript'
inlineScript: 'az webapp deployment slot swap --name <app-name> --slot staging --target-slot
production'

Example Use Case: You are deploying a new version of your web application and want to use a
staging slot to test the deployment before going live. By automating the deployment to the staging
slot and then swapping it with production, you minimize downtime and ensure the deployment is
successful before impacting users.

321. How do you implement continuous deployment (CD) for microservices in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Continuous deployment for microservices in Azure Pipelines ensures that each microservice
can be independently built, tested, and deployed to production when changes are made.

Steps:
 1. Create Separate Pipelines for Each Microservice: Define independent build and deployment
pipelines for each microservice.

2. Deploy Microservices Independently: Trigger deployments for each microservice based on

changes in their respective repositories.

Example YAML:

trigger:
branches:
include:
- main

stages:
- stage: Build
jobs:
- job: BuildMicroserviceA
steps:
- script: echo "Building Microservice A"
- stage: Deploy
dependsOn: Build
jobs:
- job: DeployMicroserviceA
steps:
- script: echo "Deploying Microservice A"

Example Use Case: You are managing an application with multiple microservices, each deployed
independently. By setting up separate pipelines for each microservice, you ensure that updates to
one microservice don’t affect others, allowing faster and more reliable deployments.

322. How do you secure pipeline variables and secrets in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Securing pipeline variables and secrets in Azure Pipelines ensures that sensitive data like API
keys and passwords are not exposed during pipeline execution.

Steps:

1. Mark Variables as Secret: Mark sensitive pipeline variables as secret, ensuring they are
encrypted and masked in logs.

2. Use Azure Key Vault: Store sensitive data in Azure Key Vault and retrieve it securely during
pipeline execution.

Example YAML:

variables:
- name: secretApiKey
value: $(keyFromVault)
isSecret: true

steps:
- script: echo "Using secret API key"
 env:
API_KEY: $(secretApiKey)

Example Use Case: You are deploying an application that requires sensitive API credentials. By
marking the variables as secret and retrieving them from Azure Key Vault, you ensure that the
secrets are securely handled during the pipeline execution without being exposed in logs.

323. How do you configure a multi-stage pipeline for Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) deployments
in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: A multi-stage pipeline for Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) deployments in Azure Pipelines
allows you to define and manage stages like building, testing, and deploying containerized
applications to AKS.

Steps:

1. Create a Build Stage: Build the Docker image and push it to a container registry.

2. Deploy to AKS: Use the kubectl or AzureCLI task to deploy the application to AKS.

Example YAML:

stages:
- stage: Build
jobs:
- job: BuildJob
steps:
- task: Docker@2
inputs:
command: 'buildAndPush'
repository: 'myrepo/myapp'
Dockerfile: '**/Dockerfile'
containerRegistry: '<container-registry>'
tags: '$(Build.BuildId)'
- stage: Deploy
dependsOn: Build
jobs:
- task: AzureCLI@2
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
scriptType: 'bash'
scriptLocation: 'inlineScript'
inlineScript: 'kubectl apply -f k8s-deployment.yaml'

Example Use Case: You are developing a microservice-based application that runs in AKS. By creating
a multi-stage pipeline, you can build and test the Docker images in the first stage and deploy them to
AKS in the second stage, ensuring a smooth and automated deployment process.
324. How do you manage deployment rollbacks in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Deployment rollbacks in Azure Pipelines allow you to revert to a previous stable version of
the application if the current deployment fails.

Steps:

1. Store Previous Versions: Store previous versions of the application as artifacts or use
deployment slots for rollback.

2. Implement Rollback Logic: Define steps to rollback the deployment if the current
deployment fails.

Example YAML:

steps:
- script: echo "Deploying new version..."
- script: echo "Rolling back to previous version"
condition: failed()

Example Use Case: You are deploying a new version of your web application but want to ensure that
if the deployment introduces a bug, you can automatically roll back to the previous stable version. By
configuring the pipeline to handle rollbacks, you minimize downtime and disruption to users.

325. How do you handle branch policies in Azure Repos for CI/CD pipelines?

Answer: Branch policies in Azure Repos enforce rules that must be followed before code is merged
into protected branches (e.g., requiring pull request validation, build checks, or code reviews).

Steps:

1. Set Up Branch Policies: In Azure Repos, configure branch policies to enforce build validation,
code reviews, and status checks.

2. Integrate with Pipelines: Require pipelines to pass before pull requests can be merged into
critical branches like main.

Example Use Case: You are working on a project where multiple developers are contributing to the
main branch. To ensure the branch remains stable, you configure branch policies that require passing
builds and code reviews before any code can be merged, preventing untested or broken code from
reaching production.

326. How do you handle parallel jobs for multi-platform builds in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Parallel jobs in Azure Pipelines allow you to run multiple jobs simultaneously, which is useful
for multi-platform builds (e.g., building and testing applications on both Windows and Linux).

Steps:

1. Define Parallel Jobs: Create multiple jobs that target different platforms in the same
pipeline.
 2. Use Platform-Specific Images: Use platform-specific agent pools or VM images to run jobs
on the appropriate platform.

Example YAML:

jobs:
- job: BuildWindows
pool:
vmImage: 'windows-latest'
steps:
- script: echo "Building on Windows"
- job: BuildLinux
pool:
vmImage: 'ubuntu-latest'
steps:
- script: echo "Building on Linux"
Example Use Case: You are developing a cross-platform application that needs to be built and tested
on both Windows and Linux. By defining parallel jobs for each platform, you can ensure that the
application works correctly on all supported platforms, while reducing the total build time.

327. How do you use Azure Pipelines for disaster recovery (DR) deployments?

Answer: Disaster recovery (DR) deployments in Azure Pipelines ensure that critical systems can be
recovered in another region or environment if the primary system fails. This can be automated using
Azure Pipelines.

Steps:

1. Set Up DR Environments: Configure a secondary environment in a different Azure region for

disaster recovery.

2. Automate Failover: Use Azure Pipelines to automate the failover process, deploying the
application to the DR environment if the primary environment fails.

Example YAML:

stages:
- stage: DeployToPrimary
jobs:
- script: echo "Deploying to primary region"
- stage: DeployToDR
dependsOn: DeployToPrimary
condition: failed()
jobs:
- script: echo "Deploying to disaster recovery region"
Example Use Case: You are deploying a mission-critical web application and want to ensure that it
can be quickly recovered in another Azure region if the primary region experiences an outage. By
automating the DR deployment process in Azure Pipelines, you can reduce downtime and ensure
business continuity.
328. How do you handle infrastructure provisioning using Bicep in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Bicep is a domain-specific language (DSL) for deploying Azure resources, which simplifies
the process compared to ARM templates. Azure Pipelines can automate the deployment of
infrastructure using Bicep.

Steps:

1. Write Bicep Files: Define your infrastructure using Bicep files.

2. Deploy Bicep Files in Pipelines: Use the AzureCLI@2 task to deploy the Bicep files in your
pipeline.

Example YAML:

steps:
- task: AzureCLI@2
inputs:
azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'
scriptType: 'bash'
scriptLocation: 'inlineScript'
inlineScript: 'az deployment group create --resource-group <resource-group> --template-file
main.bicep'
Example Use Case: You are managing cloud infrastructure for a web application and want to simplify
infrastructure as code. By using Bicep in your Azure Pipelines, you can deploy and manage Azure
resources with a more concise and readable syntax compared to ARM templates.

329. How do you implement deployment gates using Azure Monitor in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Deployment gates in Azure Pipelines allow you to automatically assess system health before
proceeding with a deployment. Azure Monitor can be used as a gate to check metrics like CPU usage,
error rates, or other performance indicators.

Steps:

1. Set Up Azure Monitor: Ensure that Azure Monitor is tracking the necessary metrics for your
application.

2. Configure Gates in Pipelines: Use the Azure Monitor gate in your pipeline to pause the
deployment if the system health metrics do not meet the required thresholds.

Example YAML:

gates:
preDeploy:
gates:
- azureMonitor:
condition: 'avg(cpuUsage) < 80%'
Example Use Case: You are deploying a critical web application and want to ensure that the system is
performing well before proceeding with the deployment. By setting up a gate that checks Azure
Monitor metrics, you can prevent deployments if the system is already under heavy load or
experiencing issues.
330. How do you handle multi-region deployments in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Multi-region deployments in Azure Pipelines allow you to deploy applications to multiple
Azure regions to improve availability, performance, or compliance.

Steps:

1. Define Multiple Regions: Use the AzureResourceManagerTemplateDeployment or AzureCLI

task to deploy the application to different Azure regions.

2. Automate Region-Specific Deployments: Configure the pipeline to deploy to multiple

regions in parallel or sequentially.

Example YAML:

stages:
- stage: DeployToEastUS
jobs:
- script: echo "Deploying to East US"
- stage: DeployToWestEU
jobs:
- script: echo "Deploying to West Europe"
Example Use Case: You are deploying a global web application and want to improve performance by
hosting it in multiple Azure regions (e.g., East US and West Europe). By automating multi-region
deployments in Azure Pipelines, you can ensure that users are served from the closest region,
improving response times and availability.

331. How do you configure parallel testing in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Parallel testing allows tests to be distributed across multiple agents or jobs, significantly
reducing the total time required to execute a large test suite.

Steps:

1. Use the parallel Strategy: Define a parallel strategy to split test workloads across multiple
agents.

2. Set Up Parallel Jobs: Use separate jobs for different test suites or modules.

Example YAML:

jobs:

- job: TestApp

strategy:

parallel: 4

steps:

- script: echo "Running tests in parallel"

Example Use Case: You have a large set of tests that take too long to run sequentially. By configuring
parallel jobs, you can distribute the tests across four agents, reducing the overall test time.

332. How do you manage Terraform state in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Terraform state is crucial for tracking the infrastructure that Terraform manages. You can
store and manage Terraform state in Azure Blob Storage using Azure Pipelines.

Steps:

1. Configure Azure Blob Storage for Terraform State: Store the state in an Azure Blob Storage
container.

2. Set Up Terraform to Use Remote State: Configure Terraform to store state remotely in Azure
Storage.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: TerraformTaskV2@2

inputs:

command: 'apply'

environmentServiceNameAzureRM: '<service-connection>'

backendServiceArm: '<backend-service>'

backendConfigAzureRM: 'storage_account_name=<account-name> container_name=<container-

name>'

Example Use Case: You are deploying infrastructure using Terraform and want to share the Terraform
state across multiple team members. By storing the state in Azure Blob Storage and configuring
remote state management in your pipeline, you ensure that the Terraform state is synchronized
across all deployments.

333. How do you handle conditional deployments in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Conditional deployments allow you to deploy based on certain conditions, such as branch
names, environment variables, or the outcome of previous stages.

Steps:

1. Use the condition Keyword: Define conditions under which the stage or job should be
executed.

2. Set Up Branch-Specific Deployments: Deploy to specific environments based on branch or

variable conditions.

Example YAML:

stages:
 - stage: Deploy

jobs:

- job: DeployJob

condition: and(succeeded(), eq(variables['Build.SourceBranch'], 'refs/heads/main'))

steps:

- script: echo "Deploying to production"

Example Use Case: You are deploying to production only when changes are made to the main
branch. By using the condition keyword, you prevent deployment to production from other
branches, ensuring only validated code reaches production.

334. How do you implement serverless deployments for Azure Functions in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can automate the deployment of Azure Functions, which are serverless
computing services that run your code in response to events.

Steps:

1. Use the AzureFunctionApp@1 Task: Automate the deployment of Azure Functions by using
the Azure Function task in your pipeline.

2. Package and Deploy the Function: Package the function and deploy it to an Azure Function
App.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: AzureFunctionApp@1

inputs:

azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'

appName: '<function-app-name>'

package: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/function.zip'

Example Use Case: You are building a serverless application using Azure Functions and want to
automate the deployment process. By setting up a pipeline to package and deploy the function, you
ensure that new versions are automatically deployed whenever changes are pushed to the
repository.

335. How do you integrate Azure DevOps with ServiceNow for change management?

Answer: Azure DevOps can integrate with ServiceNow for change management, enabling automated
tracking of changes, incidents, and workflows.
Steps:

1. Install ServiceNow Extension: Add the ServiceNow extension from the Azure DevOps
Marketplace.

2. Configure the Integration: Use the ServiceNowChangeRequest task to create or update

change requests automatically.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: ServiceNowChangeRequest@1

inputs:

serviceConnection: 'serviceNowConnection'

changeRequestId: 'CHG0001234'

status: 'In Progress'

Example Use Case: You are deploying changes to a critical application and want to ensure that all
changes are tracked in ServiceNow. By integrating Azure Pipelines with ServiceNow, a change request
is automatically created and updated as the pipeline progresses through different stages.

336. How do you implement Infrastructure as Code (IaC) with ARM templates in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates define Azure infrastructure as code. Azure
Pipelines can automate the deployment and management of Azure resources using ARM templates.

Steps:

1. Create ARM Templates: Define your infrastructure using ARM templates.

2. Deploy ARM Templates Using Azure Pipelines: Use the

AzureResourceManagerTemplateDeployment@3 task to deploy the templates.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: AzureResourceManagerTemplateDeployment@3

inputs:

azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'

resourceGroupName: '<resource-group>'

templateLocation: 'Linked artifact'

csmFile: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/azuredeploy.json'

Example Use Case: You are provisioning infrastructure for a web application, including virtual
networks, storage, and virtual machines. By defining the infrastructure in ARM templates and
automating the deployment with Azure Pipelines, you ensure consistent and repeatable
infrastructure provisioning.

337. How do you configure zero-downtime deployments in Azure Pipelines using deployment
slots?

Answer: Zero-downtime deployments in Azure Pipelines can be achieved using deployment slots in
Azure App Service. Deployment slots allow you to deploy a new version of your application to a
staging slot and then swap it with production.

Steps:

1. Deploy to a Staging Slot: Use the AzureWebApp@1 task to deploy to a staging slot.

2. Swap the Staging Slot with Production: Use the Azure CLI or ARM templates to swap the
slots.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: AzureWebApp@1

inputs:

azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'

appName: '<app-name>'

slotName: 'staging'

- task: AzureCLI@2

inputs:

azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'

scriptType: 'bash'

scriptLocation: 'inlineScript'

inlineScript: 'az webapp deployment slot swap --name <app-name> --slot staging --target-slot
production'

Example Use Case: You are deploying a new version of a web application and want to minimize
downtime. By deploying to a staging slot and swapping it with production, you can validate the new
version before it goes live, ensuring a seamless experience for users.

338. How do you manage containerized deployments with Kubernetes in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Pipelines supports deploying containerized applications to Kubernetes clusters using
kubectl or the Azure CLI.
Steps:

1. Build and Push Docker Images: Use the Docker@2 task to build and push container images
to a registry.

2. Deploy to Kubernetes: Use kubectl or the AzureCLI@2 task to apply Kubernetes deployment
manifests.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: Docker@2

inputs:

command: 'buildAndPush'

repository: '<your-docker-repo>'

Dockerfile: '**/Dockerfile'

containerRegistry: '<container-registry>'

tags: '$(Build.BuildId)'

- task: AzureCLI@2

inputs:

azureSubscription: '<service-connection>'

scriptType: 'bash'

scriptLocation: 'inlineScript'

inlineScript: 'kubectl apply -f k8s-deployment.yaml'

Example Use Case: You are managing a microservices application deployed on Azure Kubernetes
Service (AKS). By automating the build and deployment of Docker containers to AKS using Azure
Pipelines, you ensure fast and reliable deployments across environments.

339. How do you implement monitoring and alerts in Azure Pipelines using Azure Monitor?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can integrate with Azure Monitor to monitor the performance of deployed
applications and set up alerts based on metrics like CPU usage, response times, and failure rates.

Steps:

1. Enable Azure Monitor for Your Application: Ensure that Azure Monitor is configured to
collect logs, metrics, and telemetry from your application.

2. Set Up Alerts in Azure Pipelines: Use Azure Monitor gates to trigger alerts and stop
deployments if certain thresholds are exceeded.
Example YAML:

gates:

preDeploy:

gates:

- azureMonitor:

condition: 'avg(responseTime) < 500ms'

Example Use Case: You are deploying a web application and want to monitor its performance during
and after deployment. By integrating Azure Monitor with your pipeline, you can ensure that
deployments only proceed if the application meets performance criteria, such as low response times
and minimal errors.

340. How do you handle shared infrastructure using Terraform in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: When managing shared infrastructure with Terraform, Azure Pipelines can automate the
provisioning and updating of infrastructure resources, ensuring that shared components like virtual
networks or databases are consistent across environments.

Steps:

1. Define Shared Infrastructure in Terraform: Use Terraform code to define shared

infrastructure resources.

2. Apply Terraform Configurations in Azure Pipelines: Use the TerraformTaskV2@2 task to

apply the Terraform configurations.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: TerraformTaskV2@2

inputs:

command: 'apply'

environmentServiceNameAzureRM: '<service-connection>'

workingDirectory: './terraform'

Example Use Case: You are managing shared infrastructure for multiple applications, including virtual
networks and databases. By using Terraform to define the shared infrastructure and automating the
deployment with Azure Pipelines, you ensure that all applications have access to consistent and
correctly configured resources.
341. How do you set up automated testing for API endpoints in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can automate the testing of API endpoints using tools like Postman, JMeter,
or custom scripts.

Steps:

1. Set Up API Tests Using Postman: Use the Newman CLI to run Postman collections for API
testing.

2. Integrate API Tests into the Pipeline: Add a task to execute the API tests after the application
is deployed.

Example YAML:

steps:

- script: 'newman run collection.json --env-var "API_BASE_URL=$(apiUrl)"'

displayName: 'Run API Tests'

Example Use Case: You are developing a RESTful API and want to ensure that all endpoints are
functioning correctly after each deployment. By automating the API tests in Azure Pipelines, you can
validate the behavior of the API endpoints before promoting the application to production.

342. How do you configure Azure DevOps to trigger pipelines from a GitHub repository?

Answer: Azure DevOps can trigger pipelines from GitHub repositories by setting up a service
connection or using webhooks to listen for GitHub events like pushes or pull requests.

Steps:

1. Set Up a Service Connection to GitHub: Create a service connection in Azure DevOps that
connects to your GitHub repository.

2. Use GitHub Webhooks or Events: Configure the pipeline to trigger based on GitHub events
like pushes or pull requests.

Example YAML:

trigger:

branches:

include:

- main

pr:

branches:

include:

- '*'
Example Use Case: You are working on an open-source project hosted on GitHub and want Azure
Pipelines to automatically run whenever code is pushed to the repository or a pull request is created.
By setting up a service connection and configuring the pipeline to listen for GitHub events, you
ensure that every change is tested and validated.

343. How do you use GitVersion for automatic semantic versioning in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: GitVersion is a tool that automates semantic versioning based on your Git branching
strategy. Azure Pipelines can integrate with GitVersion to automatically determine the next version
number for your application.

Steps:

1. Install GitVersion: Use the GitVersion@5 task to install GitVersion in the pipeline.

2. Use GitVersion to Determine Version: GitVersion calculates the version based on the Git
history and updates the build number.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: GitVersion@5

inputs:

useConfigFile: true

configFilePath: 'GitVersion.yml'

- script: echo "##vso[build.updatebuildnumber]$(GitVersion.FullSemVer)"

Example Use Case: You are managing a project that follows semantic versioning rules
(major.minor.patch) based on feature branches and releases. By integrating GitVersion with Azure
Pipelines, you ensure that each build is automatically assigned the correct version number based on
the Git history.

344. How do you handle database schema migrations in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can automate database schema migrations using tools like Entity
Framework Migrations, Flyway, or Liquibase to apply schema changes as part of the CI/CD process.

Steps:

1. Run Migrations in the Pipeline: Add a task to run the database migration tool (e.g., Entity
Framework, Flyway) as part of the deployment process.

2. Roll Back on Failure: Optionally, configure rollback steps in case the deployment fails.

Example YAML:

steps:
 - task: DotNetCoreCLI@2

inputs:

command: 'ef'

arguments: 'database update'

projects: '**/*.csproj'

Example Use Case: You are deploying a new version of your application that includes database
schema changes. By automating the schema migrations in Azure Pipelines, you ensure that the
database is updated as part of the deployment process, reducing the risk of manual errors.

345. How do you manage pipeline templates for reusable stages in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Pipeline templates in Azure Pipelines allow you to define reusable stages, jobs, and steps
that can be shared across multiple pipelines, improving maintainability and reducing duplication.

Steps:

1. Create a YAML Template: Define reusable steps, jobs, or stages in a template file.

2. Reference the Template in Other Pipelines: Use the template keyword to include the
template in other pipelines.

Example Template (build-template.yaml):

parameters:

- name: buildConfig

type: string

default: 'Release'

steps:

- script: echo "Building in $(buildConfig) mode"

Example Pipeline:

jobs:

- template: build-template.yaml

parameters:

buildConfig: 'Debug'

Example Use Case: You are managing multiple services with similar build processes. By creating a
template for the build steps, you can reuse the same logic across multiple pipelines, improving
consistency and reducing the effort needed to maintain each pipeline.
346. How do you manage blue-green deployments for containerized applications in Azure
Pipelines?

Answer: Blue-green deployments allow you to deploy a new version of your application to a separate
environment (green) and switch traffic from the old version (blue) to the new version once it’s
validated.

Steps:

1. Deploy to a Green Environment: Deploy the new version of your containerized application to
the green environment.

2. Switch Traffic to Green: Use traffic management tools like Azure Traffic Manager or Ingress
Controllers to switch traffic to the new version.

Example YAML:

stages:

- stage: DeployToGreen

jobs:

- script: echo "Deploying to green environment"

- stage: SwitchTraffic

dependsOn: DeployToGreen

jobs:

- script: echo "Switching traffic to green environment"

Example Use Case: You are deploying a new version of your microservices-based application to a
Kubernetes cluster. By using a blue-green deployment strategy, you first deploy the new version to
the green environment and then switch the traffic to the new version after verifying that it works
correctly.

347. How do you trigger pipelines based on schedule in Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Scheduled triggers in Azure Pipelines allow you to automatically run pipelines at specific
times, such as nightly builds or weekly deployments.

Steps:

1. Use the schedules Keyword: Define the schedule in the pipeline YAML file using cron syntax.

2. Configure Time Zones: Specify the time zone for the schedule to ensure that the pipeline
runs at the correct time.

Example YAML:

schedules:

- cron: "0 2 * * 1-5" # Runs at 2 AM every weekday

 displayName: "Daily Build"

branches:

include:

- main

Example Use Case: You are managing a project that requires nightly builds to be run at 2 AM on
weekdays. By setting up a scheduled trigger, the pipeline automatically runs without any manual
intervention, ensuring that you always have a fresh build to test or deploy the next day.

348. How do you handle security vulnerabilities in dependencies using Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can automatically scan your codebase for security vulnerabilities in
dependencies using tools like OWASP Dependency-Check, WhiteSource, or Snyk.

Steps:

1. Add a Security Scanning Task: Use a security scanning tool (e.g.,

OWASPDependencyCheck@2) to scan for vulnerabilities in your dependencies.

2. Fail the Pipeline on Vulnerabilities: Configure the pipeline to fail if critical vulnerabilities are
found.

Example YAML:

steps:

- task: OWASPDependencyCheck@2

inputs:

projectName: 'MyApp'

scanFolder: '$(Build.SourcesDirectory)'

failOnCVSS: 7.0

Example Use Case: You are deploying an application that relies on open-source libraries, and you
want to ensure that your dependencies are secure. By integrating OWASP Dependency-Check into
your pipeline, the build will fail if critical security vulnerabilities are detected, preventing vulnerable
code from being deployed.

349. How do you implement automated rollback in Azure Pipelines for failed deployments?

Answer: Automated rollback ensures that if a deployment fails, the pipeline reverts to a previous
stable version of the application.

Steps:

1. Store Previous Versions: Keep previous versions of the application as artifacts or use
deployment slots for rollback.
 2. Trigger Rollback on Failure: Configure the pipeline to automatically roll back the deployment
if the current version fails.

Example YAML:

steps:

- script: echo "Deploying new version..."

- script: echo "Rolling back to previous version"

condition: failed()

Example Use Case: You are deploying a critical web application and want to minimize downtime in
case of deployment failures. By automating the rollback process, the pipeline reverts to the last
known stable version if the deployment fails, ensuring minimal disruption to users.

350. How do you handle environment-specific configuration using Azure Pipelines?

Answer: Azure Pipelines can manage environment-specific configuration by using variables,

templates, or external configuration sources to handle differences between environments (e.g.,
development, staging, production).

Steps:

1. Use Variables for Configuration Values: Define environment-specific variables in the pipeline
YAML or in a variable group.

2. Use Templates for Reusability: Create reusable pipeline templates that handle different
environments.

Example YAML:

variables:

devConnectionString: 'Server=dev;Database=mydb'

prodConnectionString: 'Server=prod;Database=mydb'

stages:

- stage: DeployToDev

jobs:

- script: echo "Deploying to development with $(devConnectionString)"

- stage: DeployToProd

jobs:

- script: echo "Deploying to production with $(prodConnectionString)"

Example Use Case: You are deploying a web application to multiple environments, and each
environment requires different configurations such as database connection strings. By using
environment-specific variables, you can switch configurations between environments without
duplicating pipeline logic.