Using Docker containers in CI/CD pipelines offers benefits for stateful systems like databases, ensuring clean states for integration tests and a reliable, consistent environment.
The Azure Cosmos DB emulator is available as a Docker container, allowing local development and testing without an Azure subscription.
An example with Azure Cosmos DB emulator and GitHub Actions showcases integrating Azure Cosmos DB in a CI/CD workflow via a YAML file.
The workflow demonstrates configuring the emulator as a service container and using it for testing .NET applications with GitHub Actions.
GitHub Actions simplifies managing the Docker container, starting it for the job, and destroying it automatically upon completion.
Exporting Cosmos DB Emulator Certificate is necessary for .NET applications due to the lack of HTTP mode support in the emulator during the writing.
The provided GitHub repository illustrates setting up the Linux emulator for .NET, Python, Java, and Go applications on various architectures.
By forking the repository, adding necessary secrets and variables, and triggering workflows, users can test the CI setup with the emulator.
Considerations for GitHub Actions runners are highlighted, facilitating the setup for different architectures and runner types.
Utilizing Docker containers in CI pipelines offers numerous advantages beyond GitHub Actions, enhancing testing and automation processes.