Azure Repos, a core component of Azure DevOps, provides an essential platform for developers to store, manage, and collaborate on their code. Whether you're using Git or Team Foundation Version Control (TFVC), Azure Repos offers robust features to streamline your development workflow and enhance team productivity.
Getting Started with Azure Repos (Git)
For most modern development, Git is the de facto standard. Azure Repos provides a fully integrated Git experience.
Creating a New Repository
To begin, navigate to your Azure DevOps project, select "Repos" from the left-hand menu, and then "New repository". You can choose to create a new, empty repository or import one from another Git host like GitHub.
Once created, you'll find instructions on how to clone the repository to your local machine:
git clone https://your-org.visualstudio.com/your-project/_git/your-repoBranching Strategies for Team Collaboration
Effective branching is key to parallel development and maintaining code quality. Common strategies include:
- Gitflow: A robust, feature-rich branching model suitable for projects with scheduled releases.
- GitHub Flow: A simpler model ideal for continuous delivery where branches are short-lived.
- Trunk-Based Development: Developers commit to a shared main branch frequently, often paired with feature flags.
Azure Repos supports all these strategies seamlessly. We recommend defining a clear branching policy within your project settings to enforce these practices.
Pull Requests: The Heart of Code Review
Pull Requests (PRs) are the mechanism for merging code changes into your main branches. Azure Repos makes PRs a powerful tool for collaboration:
- Reviewers: Assign team members to review your changes.
- Work Item Linking: Link PRs to Azure Boards work items for traceability.
- Branch Policies: Enforce code reviews, build validation, and other checks before merging.
Configuring branch policies is crucial for maintaining code quality. Go to "Repos" -> "Branches", select your main branch (e.g., main or master), and click "Branch policies".
Advanced Features to Explore
Code Search
Instantly find code across all your repositories with Azure Repos' powerful code search functionality. This is invaluable for understanding existing codebases or identifying where specific logic resides.
History and Commits
Easily browse the commit history, view diffs between versions, and revert changes if necessary. Understanding the evolution of your codebase is vital for debugging and auditing.
Integration with CI/CD
Azure Repos integrates beautifully with Azure Pipelines. Set up automated builds and releases triggered by commits or pull requests, ensuring your code is continuously integrated and deployed.
By mastering Azure Repositories, your team can achieve greater efficiency, better code quality, and a more streamlined development lifecycle. Explore these features, define your team's workflow, and unlock the full potential of your Azure DevOps experience!
Explore Azure CI/CD Integration