Build a container in Jenkins via docker pipeline plugin

Question

How to build a container when my jenkins pipeline is running?

Answer 1

In order to create a Docker image, the "Docker Pipeline plugin" also provides a build() method for creating a new image, from a Dockerfile in the repository, during a Pipeline run.

One major benefit of using the syntax docker.build("my-image-name") is that a Scripted Pipeline can use the return value for subsequent Docker Pipeline calls. 

For example:

node {
    checkout scm

    def customImage = docker.build("my-image:${env.BUILD_ID}")

    customImage.inside {
        sh 'make test'
    }
}

The return value can also be used to publish the Docker image to Docker Hub, or a custom registry, via the push() method, as shown:

node {
    checkout scm
    def customImage = docker.build("my-image:${env.BUILD_ID}")
    customImage.push()
}

One common usage of image "tags" is to specify a latest tag for the most recently, validated, version of a Docker image.

The push()method accepts an optional tag parameter, allowing the Pipeline to push the customImage with different tags, 

For example:

node {
    checkout scm
    def customImage = docker.build("my-image:${env.BUILD_ID}")
    customImage.push()

    customImage.push('latest')
}

The build() method builds the Dockerfile in the current directory by default. 

This can be overridden by providing a directory path containing a Dockerfile as the second argument of the build() method, For example:

node {
    checkout scm
    def testImage = docker.build("test-image", "./dockerfiles/test") 

    testImage.inside {
        sh 'make test'
    }
}

 This Builds test-image from the Dockerfile found at ./dockerfiles/test/Dockerfile.