Variable inheritance works implicitly

What does this MR do?

The docs imply that one needs to use dependencies or needs to gain variable inheritance in later jobs, but this isn't true. All jobs in later stages will receive an inherited value without requiring those keywords.

This change clarifies the documentation to reflect the observed behavior. It also adds examples demonstrating how variable inheritance can be turned off explicitly, and how inherited variables may take precedence over other methods of variable definition.

The required format for the .env file is also explicitly stated, based on its its implementation at: https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/blob/2e5b4dbf3ab159f7ea4960d5fe7dfb06c7ed93e1/app/services/ci/parse_dotenv_artifact_service.rb#L55-58

Related issues

Customer ticket: https://gitlab.zendesk.com/agent/tickets/251886

Author's checklist

If you are only adding documentation, do not add any of the following labels:

  • ~"frontend"
  • ~"backend"
  • ~"type::bug"
  • ~"database"

These labels cause the MR to be added to code verification QA issues.

Review checklist

Documentation-related MRs should be reviewed by a Technical Writer for a non-blocking review, based on Documentation Guidelines and the Style Guide.

  • If the content requires it, ensure the information is reviewed by a subject matter expert.
  • Technical writer review items:
    • Ensure docs metadata is present and up-to-date.
    • Ensure the appropriate labels are added to this MR.
    • If relevant to this MR, ensure content topic type principles are in use, including:
      • The headings should be something you'd do a Google search for. Instead of Default behavior, say something like Default behavior when you close an issue.
      • The headings (other than the page title) should be active. Instead of Configuring GDK, say something like Configure GDK.
      • Any task steps should be written as a numbered list.
      • If the content still needs to be edited for topic types, you can create a follow-up issue with the docs-technical-debt label.
  • Review by assigned maintainer, who can always request/require the reviews above. Maintainer's review can occur before or after a technical writer review.
  • Ensure a release milestone is set.

Merge request reports

Loading