GitLab is a web-based DevOps platform that helps developers manage their code and the entire software development lifecycle in one place. It provides Git repository hosting (like GitHub), along with built-in tools for version control, CI/CD pipelines, code review, issue tracking, and project management.
Primary Terminologies:
Here are some GitLab concepts and features you should know to effectively manage projects and collaborate with your team:
- Git Repository: A Git repository is a collection of files and their complete change history. GitLab repositories allow users to store, collaborate, and manage their codebase efficiently.
- Issue Tracking: GitLab’s built-in issue tracker lets teams create, assign, prioritize, and monitor tasks, bugs, and feature requests, improving communication and collaboration.
- Wiki: GitLab wikis provide a centralized space for project documentation, guidelines, and strategies, accessible to all team members.
- Merge Requests (MRs): Merge Requests enable developers to propose changes, request reviews, and maintain code quality before merging into the main branch.
- CI/CD Pipelines: Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines automate building, testing, and deploying code. Defined via .gitlab-ci.yml files, they help teams reduce repetitive work, improve code quality, and speed up delivery.
- GitLab Runners: Runners execute CI/CD jobs on pipelines and can run on multiple platforms, including Linux, Windows, macOS, or Docker containers.
- Groups and Projects: GitLab organizes repositories into groups and projects, allowing teams to manage access, collaborate efficiently, and share resources across related projects.
Steps To Set Up GitLab
Follow these steps to create your account, set up projects, and start collaborating on GitLab.
1. Sign Up or Install GitLab
- You can sign up for GitLab.com, a hosted version of GitLab, or install GitLab on your own infrastructure using the installation guide.
- Now give username and first name, last name and provide email and set password. click on register