Pre-Step and Post-Build in Jenkins

Introduction

In Jenkins, build steps can be categorized into pre-steps and post-build actions, each serving different purposes during a job's execution.

Key Differences

Feature	Pre-Step	Post-Build Action
Execution Timing	Runs before the main build step	Runs after the main build step
Purpose	Used to set up prerequisites (e.g., checking out code, setting environment variables)	Used for actions after build completion (e.g., notifications, reports, artifact publishing)
Common Usage	Code checkout, dependency installation, environment setup	Test report generation, deployment, notifications, cleanup
Impact on Build	Can influence how the main build step executes	Does not affect the build process but acts on its results
Failure Handling	If it fails, the build might not proceed	If it fails, it does not affect the build execution but may impact post-processing

When to Use Which?

• Pre-Step: Use when setting up necessary conditions before running the main build (e.g., preparing dependencies, initializing configurations).
• Post-Build: Use when handling results of the build process, such as sending notifications, publishing artifacts, or archiving reports.

Conclusion

Pre-steps and post-build actions serve distinct roles in Jenkins jobs. Pre-steps prepare the environment before execution, while post-build actions process the results afterward. Understanding these differences helps in designing efficient and robust CI/CD pipelines.