Maven / GitLab CI Basics Interview Questions

What is the 'include' keyword and how do you share CI configuration across projects?

The include keyword lets you split pipeline configuration across multiple files or pull shared configuration from external sources. This is the foundation for sharing CI standards across many projects in an organisation.

include types
Type	Syntax	Use case
local	include: local: '/templates/jobs.yml'	Another file in the same repository
project	include: project: 'group/repo', file: '/ci/template.yml'	File in another GitLab project
remote	include: remote: 'https://example.com/ci.yml'	Any publicly accessible URL
template	include: template: 'Auto-DevOps.gitlab-ci.yml'	GitLab built-in templates

# Include multiple sources
include:
  - local: '/ci/build.yml'         # file in same repo
  - project: 'myorg/ci-templates' # file from another project
    ref: main
    file: '/templates/deploy.yml'
  - template: 'SAST.gitlab-ci.yml'  # GitLab built-in security template
  - remote: 'https://cdn.example.com/ci/lint.yml'  # external URL

# Using included configuration
# The included files can define jobs, stages, variables, etc.
# They are merged into the main .gitlab-ci.yml

stages:
  - build
  - test
  - security
  - deploy

# Your local jobs here, plus everything from the included files

Security note: when including files from another project with include: project, the user triggering the pipeline must have at least Reporter access to that project. Using a specific SHA hash for ref (rather than a branch name) is recommended for stability and security - branch-based refs can change.

Take quiz

Which include type pulls a shared CI template from another GitLab project in the same instance?include: remote

✗ Try again.

include: template

✗ Try again.

include: project

✓ Correct! Well done.

include: local

✗ Try again.

Why is it recommended to use a specific SHA hash for 'ref' when including files from another project?SHA hashes are required by GitLab's API

✗ Try again.

SHA hashes are immutable - using a branch name means the included file can change unexpectedly, while a SHA pinpoints the exact version

✓ Correct! Well done.

SHA hashes allow faster pipeline startup

✗ Try again.

SHA hashes enable caching of included files

✗ Try again.

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Maven / GitLab CI Basics Interview Questions

What is the 'include' keyword and how do you share CI configuration across projects?

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