Day 6 of 100 days of Cloud:GitHub Actions, Docker, and Cloud Sharing

Today was a whirlwind of learning and teaching! I dove deep into the world of GitHub Actions, specifically focusing on building and pushing Docker images. It's amazing how seamlessly these tools integrate to streamline the development and deployment process.

Building and Pushing Docker Images with GitHub Actions
I created a GitHub Actions workflow to automate the building of a Docker image from a Dockerfile and pushing it to Docker Hub. This is a fundamental step in modern cloud development, as it allows for efficient and reproducible deployments.

Here's a basic example of a GitHub Actions YAML file for this process:

name: Build and Push Docker Image

on:
  push:
    branches: [ main ]

jobs:
  build-and-push:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v3
      - name: Build and push
        uses: docker/build-push-action@v6
        with:
          context: .
          push: true
          tags: dita-daystar/verisafe:latest

Let's break down what this YAML file does:

name: Defines the name of the workflow.
on: Specifies the trigger for the workflow, in this case, a push to the main branch.
jobs: Defines the jobs to be executed.
build-and-push: The name of the job.
runs-on: Specifies the runner to use for the job.
steps: A list of steps to be executed.
actions/checkout@v3: Checks out the code from the repository.
docker/build-push-action@v6: Builds and pushes the Docker image.
context: Specifies the build context.
push: Indicates whether to push the image.
tags: Specifies the image tag.
Remember to replace my-username and my-image with your actual Docker Hub username and image name.

Sharing Cloud Knowledge

After mastering the GitHub Actions workflow, I conducted a class on cloud computing. It was incredibly rewarding to share my knowledge and enthusiasm with the next generation. We covered the fundamentals of cloud computing, different service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), and real-world applications.

The students were particularly interested in learning about serverless computing and the role of cloud in solving complex problems. I emphasized the importance of security and best practices in the cloud.

Looking Ahead
Today's experience has solidified my understanding of GitHub Actions and its role in cloud development. I'm excited to explore more advanced features and integrations. On the teaching front, I'll continue developing engaging workshops to inspire future cloud engineers.

Stay tuned for more updates on my 100 Days of Cloud journey!