Originally published on 2014-09-12; fully revised and updated.
This page turns the original Continuous Integration course post into a structured reference for engineers, team leads, and training coordinators. It explains what this CI curriculum covers, where each tool fits in the pipeline, and how to run hands-on labs for build, test, quality checks, and deployment automation.
What this continuous integration course is designed to teach
The original course focused on practical continuous integration techniques using a Microsoft-oriented toolchain: MSBuild, TeamCity, NUnit, NCover, FxCop, and Microsoft Web Deploy. The stated goal was to prepare participants for build and release engineering work through instructor-led, lab-heavy sessions.
- Understand CI fundamentals, check-in discipline, and feedback loops.
- Compile and package .NET solutions from the command line with MSBuild.
- Run automated unit tests with NUnit and fail fast on test errors.
- Add quality gates with coverage analysis (NCover) and static analysis (FxCop).
- Automate packaging and deployment steps using Microsoft Web Deploy.
- Integrate build failure notifications and pipeline decision points.
Toolchain comparison: where each tool fits in the pipeline
| Tool | Primary role | Typical output or gate |
|---|---|---|
| MSBuild | Build orchestration for .NET solutions and projects | Compiled binaries, packages, build logs |
| TeamCity | CI server to trigger and coordinate pipeline stages | Build status, artifacts, notifications |
| NUnit | Automated unit test execution | Pass/fail test results that can break the build |
| NCover | Code coverage measurement | Coverage reports and threshold-based quality checks |
| FxCop | Static code analysis for .NET code quality rules | Rule violations and analysis reports |
| Microsoft Web Deploy | Packaging and deployment to target web environments | Deployable packages and synchronized deployments |
Training format, audience, and prerequisites from the original program
| Area | Details from original post |
|---|---|
| Delivery model | Instructor-led workshop, offered as on-site training |
| Duration | Intensive 1-day and 2-day formats |
| Audience | SCM engineers, build/release engineers, and developers |
| Assumptions | Basic development knowledge and SDLC understanding |
| Hands-on ratio | Approximately 80% lab work |
| Learning materials | Student notes, lab solutions, and completion certificate |
Typical CI to deployment workflow taught in this curriculum
The course outline is centered on moving from code commit to deployable artifact with explicit quality gates.
flowchart LR
A[Developer commit] --> B[TeamCity build trigger]
B --> C[MSBuild compile]
C --> D[NUnit tests]
D --> E[NCover coverage]
E --> F[FxCop analysis]
F --> G{Quality gates pass}
G -- No --> H[Notify team and fix]
H --> A
G -- Yes --> I[Package application]
I --> J[Deploy with Web Deploy]
Example command sequence for a lab pipeline
The original training emphasized command-line automation. The example below is illustrative and shows one way to wire build, test, analysis, packaging, and deployment steps on a Windows-capable CI agent.
msbuild MySolution.sln /t:Clean,Build /p:Configuration=Release
nunit3-console tests/MyProject.Tests/bin/Release/MyProject.Tests.dll
FxCopCmd.exe /project:build/MyProject.FxCop
msbuild src/WebApp/WebApp.csproj /t:Package /p:Configuration=Release /p:DeployOnBuild=true /p:WebPublishMethod=Package /p:PackageLocation=artifacts/WebApp.zip
msdeploy.exe -verb:sync -source:package=artifacts/WebApp.zip -dest:auto,computerName=" Web Site",userName="deploy-user",password="REDACTED",authType="Basic"Code language: JavaScript (javascript)Detailed module outline you can reuse for internal enablement
- A gentle introduction: CI overview, code confidence levels, CI benefits.
- Minimum requirements: check-in workflow, CI do’s and don’ts.
- Building a solution: solution layout, CI server builds, build failure notifications.
- Build scripting: target definitions, default targets, configuration switching, task dependencies.
- External tool integration: NUnit execution, coverage collection, static analysis integration, failing the build on gates.
- Deployment automation: packaging options, server preparation, deployment pipeline, continuous deployment demonstration.
Archived contact and location details from the original listing
The source page described instructor-led delivery in India, including Bangalore, Delhi, Pune, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, and listed the following contact channels:
Best practices for running this CI training effectively
- Teach concepts first, then map each concept to a concrete pipeline stage.
- Keep labs close to production reality by using real build scripts and real failure scenarios.
- Set explicit quality gates for tests, coverage, and static analysis before introducing deployment automation.
- Use build notifications to train teams on fast feedback and short recovery time after failures.
- Version-control all build and deployment scripts so training outputs become reusable team assets.
I’m Rajesh Kumar, a DevOps, SRE, DevSecOps, Cloud, and Platform Engineering expert passionate about sharing practical knowledge, real-world experiences, and industry best practices. I have worked at Cotocus and regularly write about technology, travel, investing, health, product reviews, and digital marketing through my various platforms.
I publish technical articles at DevOps School, travel stories at Holiday Landmark, stock market insights at Stocks Mantra, health and fitness guidance at My Medic Plus, product reviews at TrueReviewNow, and SEO and digital marketing strategies at Wizbrand.
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