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DevOps / Github Interview questions

What is the difference between GitHub Actions and Jenkins?

GitHub Actions is a native part of GitHub, configured through YAML workflow files that live alongside the code they build, and tightly integrated with pull requests, environments, and GitHub Packages. Jenkins is a standalone, general-purpose automation server that can integrate with any Git host, but needs separate installation, maintenance, and plugins to reach equivalent functionality.

GitHub ActionsJenkins
Configuration lives as YAML in .github/workflows/ per repo.Configuration lives in a Jenkinsfile and/or the Jenkins UI, plus plugin config.
Native integration with PRs, Packages, Environments.Integration with any Git host happens through plugins.
Reusable steps come from the Actions Marketplace.Reusable functionality comes from Jenkins' plugin ecosystem.
No server to install or patch for the SaaS product.Requires hosting, maintaining, and securing the Jenkins server itself.

Jenkins' long history gives it an extremely broad plugin ecosystem that lets it fit into almost any legacy toolchain. GitHub Actions' strength is that automation, code review, and package publishing are already wired together without a separate server to maintain, which reduces integration and operational overhead for teams already living in GitHub.

GitHub Actions workflow configuration is primarily defined:
A key operational difference is that Jenkins:

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