Blog post pitch: Predictable, scalable and easy to maintain build matrices with GitLab dynamic child pipelines

Proposal

I would like to blog about a method for creating predictable, scalable and easy to maintain (IMHO) build matrices with GitLab, leveraging the power of the recently added dynamic child pipelines feature. The method:

• Is meant to solve most common use cases with as little effort as possible.
• Generates dynamic child pipelines jobs based on templates included in the .gitlab-ci.yml file, keeping all configuration in a single place.
• Reduces the complexity of the job generation process to a minimum. A sample job generation script is provided. It has been implemented in Python and packaged as a Docker image for convenience, so it can be reused in other projects. I intend to release it later as an Open Source project.

The post structure would likely be:

• Method overview
• In-depth explanation
• Example job generation script
• Conclusions
• Future work

Bests,

Juan Carlos

Checklist

• If you have a specific publish date in mind (please allow 3 weeks' lead time)
  • Include it in the issue title
  • Give the issue a due date of a minimum of 2 working days prior
  • If your post is likely to be >2,000 words, give a due date of a minimum of 4 working days prior
• If time sensitive
  • Added ~"priority" label and supplied rationale in description
  • Mentioned @rebecca to give her a heads up ASAP
• If wide-spread customer impacting or sensitive
  • Add sensitive label
  • Mention @nwoods to give her a heads up ASAP
• If the post is about one of GitLab's Technology Partners, including integration partners, mention @TinaS and see the blog handbook for more on third-party posts
• Indicate if supporting an event or campaign
• Indicate if this post requires additional approval from internal or external parties before publishing (please provide details in a comment)