In this article we will explore the recently released OverOps Query plugin for Jenkins. Combining OverOps with Jenkins as part of a CI pipeline means you can verify every release and never promote bad code. 

What is Jenkins?

Jenkins is an open source automation server which helps to automate the non-human part of the software development process. Jenkins is most commonly used to run a Continuous Integration pipeline. This typically consists of an automated build and Unit testing, followed by deployment of code into an environment, and finally a series of QA tests such as Smoke tests, Integration tests or Regression tests. The CI pipeline is usually triggered automatically every time someone pushes new code into a source repository.

What is OverOps?

OverOps is a platform which helps you identify and resolve critical errors with continuous code analysis and machine learning across your software delivery lifecycle. For any new or resurfaced errors, OverOps provides an Automatic Root Cause (ARC) link which takes you to the complete source code, variable and environment state behind any error, exception or timeout.

How does OverOps fit into your CI/CD Pipeline?

OverOps have developed a Plugin for Jenkins which provides a mechanism for querying OverOps as a post build step to ensure continuous reliability. It makes it easy to query OverOps from within Jenkins and use that as an extra ‘gate’ to prevent new errors reaching production. 

A practical example

Let’s say you have a CI Pipeline where the build and QA tests all passed, but OverOps detected that you had introduced a new NullPointerException into your application which wasn’t there previously. Jenkins would query OverOps and then mark the build as unstable, providing an ARC link back into OverOps where you could see the source code responsible for the new error.

Where can I download the OverOps Query Plugin for Jenkins?

• Docs: https://jenkins.io/doc/pipeline/steps/overops-query/
• Download: https://plugins.jenkins.io/overops-query
• Source code: https://github.com/takipi-field/overops-jenkins-plugin

Ok let’s see it in action

Watch this short 2 minute video to see the integration working.

In summary

• Automatic detection  of new issues and regressions throughout your delivery pipeline.
• Regression reports  from Jenkins showing the build as unstable and preventing bad code promotion.
• Intelligent routing  of feedback to the developer to speed up remediation.

If you would like to start a trial of OverOps we can help you get started. Or maybe you would like to discuss your challenge in more detail first. Perhaps you are using a different CI tool like Bamboo, CircleCI or Teamcity and want to explore if this capability can be adapted for you? If so please get in touch, we would love to hear from you.