Added a new JSON version task to my VSTS Version Extension

In response to requests on the VSTS Marketplace I have added a pair of tasks to added/edit entries in a .JSON format files. The first is for adding a version to a file like a package.json file e.g. { "name": "myapp", "version": "1.0.0", "license": "MIT" } The second is designed for angular environment.ts file e.g. export const environment = { production: true, version: '1.0.0.0' }; But I bet people find other uses, they always do....

January 5, 2018 · 1 min · Richard Fennell

Announcing a new VSTS Extension for Starting and Stopping Azure DevTest Labs VMs

Background I have recently been posting on using Azure to host private VSTS build/release agents to avoid agent queue deadlocking issues with more complex release pipelines. One of the areas discussed is reducing cost of running a private agent in Azure by only running the private agent within a limited time range, when you guess it might be needed. I have done this using DevTest Labs Auto Start and Auto Stop features....

November 30, 2017 · 4 min · Richard Fennell

Creating a VSTS build agent on an Azure DevLabs Windows Server VM with no GUI - Using Artifacts

In my last post I discussed creating a private VSTS build agent within an Azure DevTest Lab on a VM with no GUI. It was pointed out to me today, by Rik Hepworth, that I had overlooked an obvious alternative way to get the VSTS agent onto the VM i.e. not having to use a series of commands at an RDP connected command prompt. The alternative I missed is to use a DevTest Lab Artifact; in fact there is such an artifact available within the standard set in DevTest Labs....

November 28, 2017 · 2 min · Richard Fennell

Creating a VSTS build agent on an Azure DevLabs Windows Server VM with no GUI

Updates 28th Nov 2017: Also see this second post Creating a VSTS build agent on an Azure DevLabs Windows Server VM with no GUI - Using Artifacts 30th Nov 2017: Also see associated post Announcing a new VSTS Extension for Starting and Stopping Azure DevTest Labs VMs As I posted recently I have been trying to add more functional tests to the VSTS based release CI/CD pipeline for my VSTS Extensions, and as I noted depending on how you want to run your tests e....

November 23, 2017 · 3 min · Richard Fennell

Future of Reporting on VSTS with VSTS Analytics

Reporting has always been important for software development, simply put the ability to know what has been done, and what remains to be done. For many teams the out the box reporting within TFS/VSTS dashboards has been enough e.g. sprint burndowns and kanban charts etc. Also TFS has always had SQL Reporting Services (SSRS) to provide rich reporting on a whole host of areas; though in my experience few clients use the out the box reports or customise their own reports....

November 16, 2017 · 1 min · Richard Fennell