Discover how to manage and locate artifacts in `Azure DevOps` when using custom agent pools. Learn why updates to artifacts require new builds and explore best practices for artifact management.
---
This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/64047464/ asked by the user 'Rajeev Srivastava' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/4306138/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/64048240/ provided by the user 'Matt' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/10761889/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.
Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: Where to find artifact in Azure DevOps Custom agent pool
Also, Content (except music) licensed under CC BY-SA https://meta.stackexchange.com/help/l...
The original Question post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... ) license, and the original Answer post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... ) license.
If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
Understanding Artifacts in Azure DevOps Custom Agent Pools
When working with Azure DevOps, particularly with custom agent pools, users may find themselves needing to update or locate artifacts after a build is complete. This can be particularly confusing if you've already published an artifact and need to make changes without starting a new build process. In this guide, we will explore where these artifacts are stored, why they can be challenging to manage, and your options for dealing with updates.
The Problem: Updating Artifacts in Azure DevOps
Imagine you have completed a successful build and published your artifact. However, you soon realize that a file within the artifact needs an update. You may think about directly accessing the artifact stored in Azure DevOps or modifying it within the agent pool's server. Unfortunately, this is more complex than it seems, which leads to the question: How can I find the artifact in my Azure DevOps custom agent pool?
The Common Challenges
Immutable Artifacts: Once artifacts are published in Azure DevOps, they are stored as immutable items. This means they cannot be modified or updated.
Direct Access Issues: You may think about navigating to the agent pool directory to find and edit your artifact, but the clean-up process of Azure DevOps makes this impractical.
Misleading Storage Path: The paths shown during the publish process, like /home/ubuntu/myagent/_work/4/a, may add confusion as they typically point to temporary storage locations.
The Solution: Understanding Artifact Storage
To effectively handle your artifacts, it's important to understand how they are managed in Azure DevOps and what your options are for updates and access.
1. Artifact Storage Mechanism
Published Artifacts: Artifacts published from a build are stored in the Azure DevOps database content tables. Once published, they cannot be altered directly. Instead of attempting to modify these files, consider re-building your project with the necessary changes.
Clean-up Behavior: The directory identified by $(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory) is cleaned after each build. This means that if you are working with a custom agent, the local files are not meant to be permanent and won't sync with your Azure DevOps instance.
2. Options for Updating Files within Artifacts
Re-Building the Artifact: If you need to update a file within the published artifact, the only viable option is to make the required changes in your source code or configuration and run a new build. This ensures that your artifact is up to date with the latest changes.
Publishing to a Share Location: If frequent updates to artifacts are expected, consider publishing your artifacts to a share location instead of directly to Azure DevOps. This setup allows for easier access and updating of files without requiring new builds.
3. Keeping Track of Future Artifacts
Organized File Management: To prevent confusion and frustration in the future, maintain a clear structure and naming system for your artifacts. This will assist you in managing them better moving forward.
Documentation: Always document changes and processes related to artifact creation and updates. This ensures that team members aware of the state of artifacts and follow best practices.
Conclusion
While it may seem limiting that artifacts in Azure DevOps are immutable after publishing, understanding their storage and proper management can aid in effectively navigating the Azure DevOps environment. Moving forward, remember to rebuild your projects for updates, consider alternative storage solutions for flexibility, and maintain organized documentation for smoother operations. Embrace these p
Информация по комментариям в разработке