support binary files in ci/cd variables config

Problem to solve

We want to make binary files available to builds.

Intended users

Further details

Files we might want to make available are java keystore files or .. idk it's mostly that.

Proposal

Add a new type of environment variable that accepts uuencoded or maybe base64 encoded strings to be made available in its decoded form to the build. Alternatively you could provide a file upload input field.

Permissions and Security

Whatever permissions are required to presently change ci/cd environment variables.

Documentation

Availability & Testing

What does success look like, and how can we measure that?

Binary files can be used as build secrets. People stop complaining about not having the ability to provide binary files as variables.

What is the type of buyer?

Free

Links / references

comments at the end of gitlab-foss#46806 (closed)
comments at the end of gitlab-foss#57345 (closed)

Edited by Jackie Porter