Project 4 Rubric: A Comprehensive Discussion

This article delves into a detailed discussion of the Project 4 Rubric, providing a comprehensive guide to understanding its various components and requirements. Whether you're a student striving for a top grade or an instructor seeking clarity on assessment criteria, this article aims to offer valuable insights and practical guidance. Let's break down each section of the rubric, ensuring a clear understanding of the expectations and how to meet them effectively.

GitHub Repository Contents ( / 4)

When it comes to GitHub Repository Contents, the rubric emphasizes the importance of a well-organized and complete repository. This section assesses whether the necessary files and folders are present, ensuring that the project's foundation is correctly established. A properly structured repository not only facilitates the grading process but also reflects a student's understanding of project organization and version control best practices.

Essential Files and Folders

• README-CI.md: This file serves as the entry point for anyone accessing the repository. It should provide a clear overview of the project, including its purpose, setup instructions, and any relevant information. A well-written README-CI.md is crucial for demonstrating an understanding of the project's goals and how to interact with it. Think of it as the welcome mat for your project – make it inviting and informative.
• web-content folder with web application: The web-content folder is where the actual web application resides. This includes HTML, CSS, JavaScript files, and any other assets required for the application to run. Ensuring that this folder is present and contains all the necessary files is fundamental to the project's functionality. A neatly organized web-content directory showcases your ability to structure a web application effectively.
• Dockerfile: The Dockerfile is a text document that contains all the commands a user could call on the command line to assemble an image. This file is essential for containerizing the application using Docker, making it portable and reproducible across different environments. A properly configured Dockerfile ensures that the application can be built and run consistently, regardless of the underlying infrastructure. It’s the blueprint for your application’s container.
• GitHub action yml file in .github/workflows: This file defines the Continuous Integration (CI) workflows that automate the build, test, and deployment processes. Stored in the .github/workflows directory, the yml file specifies the steps to be executed whenever code is pushed to the repository. A correctly set up GitHub action demonstrates a commitment to automation and streamlined development workflows. Think of it as the automated engine driving your project’s lifecycle.

Ensuring that all these components are present and correctly configured is the first step towards achieving a high score in Project 4. The GitHub repository serves as the central hub for your project, and its contents reflect your attention to detail and adherence to best practices.

Part 4 - Project Description & Diagram ( / 8)

Moving on to Part 4 - Project Description & Diagram, this section assesses the documentation quality and clarity of the project. Effective documentation is paramount in software development, as it helps others (and your future self) understand the project's goals, architecture, and implementation details. This section emphasizes the importance of a well-articulated project overview and a clear, concise diagram that illustrates the project's workflow.

Documentation Requirements

1. Continuous Integration Project Overview: This section requires a comprehensive explanation of the project's purpose and objectives. It’s not just about stating what the project does, but also why it was undertaken and what problems it aims to solve. A strong overview sets the stage for the rest of the documentation and provides context for the technical details that follow.
   • What is the goal of this project: Clearly state the project's primary goal. What problem are you trying to solve? What functionality are you aiming to deliver? A precise and concise goal statement helps to focus the project and guide its development.
   • What tools are used in this project and what are their roles: Identify the tools and technologies used in the project, such as Docker, GitHub Actions, and any other relevant software. Explain the role of each tool in the project's ecosystem and how they contribute to the overall functionality. This demonstrates an understanding of the project's technical stack and how the different components interact.
   • Diagram of project: A visual representation of the project's architecture and workflow is invaluable. The diagram should provide a high-level overview of the system, illustrating the flow of data and the interactions between different components. A well-designed diagram can convey complex information in an easily digestible format.
     • Clean layout: The diagram should be well-organized and easy to follow. Use clear and consistent notation to represent different components and their relationships. A clean layout enhances readability and comprehension.
     • What happens in cloned repo: Illustrate the steps that occur within the cloned repository, such as building the Docker image, running tests, and generating artifacts. This provides insight into the local development workflow.
     • What happens in GitHub: Depict the activities that take place within the GitHub environment, such as triggering workflows, running CI/CD pipelines, and managing releases. This highlights the project's integration with GitHub's features.
     • What happens in DockerHub: Show the interaction with DockerHub, including pushing images, managing repositories, and distributing the application. This demonstrates an understanding of containerization and deployment strategies.
   • [If applicable] What is not working in this project: Be transparent about any limitations or issues in the project. Documenting what is not working is just as important as documenting what is. This shows a realistic understanding of the project's status and areas for improvement. It also highlights your ability to identify and address challenges.
2. Resources Section: A well-structured resources section enhances the credibility and usability of the documentation. This section should include citations, links to relevant documentation, and any other materials used in the project. Proper formatting and clear citations are essential for academic integrity and professional communication.
   • Uses good formatting: Employ markdown or other formatting tools to create a visually appealing and easy-to-read resources section. Use headings, bullet points, and other formatting elements to organize the information effectively.
   • Citations appropriate to project / include notes on how they were used: Cite all sources used in the project, including documentation, tutorials, and libraries. Include notes on how these resources were used and how they contributed to the project. This demonstrates your understanding of the material and your ability to give credit where it is due.

Part 1 - Create a Docker Container Image ( / 9)

In Part 1 - Create a Docker Container Image, the focus shifts to the practical application of Docker. This section assesses the ability to create a Dockerfile, build a Docker image, and run a container from that image. Docker is a cornerstone of modern application development, enabling portability, consistency, and scalability. Mastering Docker is essential for any developer looking to deploy applications effectively.

Documentation and Task Requirements

1. Dockerfile & Building Images: This section requires a detailed explanation of the Dockerfile and the process of building images. The documentation should provide links to relevant web content and explain the purpose and structure of the Dockerfile. It should also cover how to build an image from the repository Dockerfile, including tagging requirements for DockerHub.
   • Explanation and links to web site content: Provide clear explanations of the concepts and technologies involved in creating Docker images. Include links to official Docker documentation and other relevant resources to support your explanations. This demonstrates your understanding of the underlying principles and your ability to research and learn new technologies.
   • Explanation of and link to Dockerfile: Describe the structure and contents of your Dockerfile. Explain each instruction and its purpose in building the image. Provide a link to the Dockerfile in your repository for easy access. This allows others to understand how your image is constructed and to reproduce your results.
   • How to build an image from the repository Dockerfile: Provide step-by-step instructions on how to build a Docker image from your Dockerfile. Include the necessary commands and any relevant options. This allows others to recreate your image and verify its functionality.
     • Include tagging requirements when planning to use DockerHub for a container image repository: Explain the importance of tagging Docker images, especially when using DockerHub. Describe the tagging conventions and best practices for versioning and managing images. Proper tagging is crucial for maintaining a well-organized and easily accessible image repository.
   • How to run a container that will serve the web application from the image built by the Dockerfile: Provide clear instructions on how to run a container from the built image. Include the necessary commands and any relevant port mappings or environment variables. This demonstrates your ability to deploy and run the application in a containerized environment.
2. Task Requirements: The task requirements focus on the practical implementation of Docker. These requirements ensure that the Dockerfile is correctly configured, the application is working, and the image is available on DockerHub.
   • Dockerfile: The Dockerfile should build from httpd:2.4, a popular Apache HTTP Server image. It should also copy all content in the web-content directory into the container filesystem in the default web content directory for httpd. This ensures that the web application is properly deployed within the container.
   • Builds from httpd:2.4: Starting from a well-established base image like httpd:2.4 provides a solid foundation for the application. It ensures that the container has a working web server and the necessary dependencies.
   • Copies all content in web-content into the container filesystem in the default web content directory for httpd: This step ensures that the web application’s files are accessible to the web server within the container. It’s crucial for the application to function correctly.
   • Provides working application when container is run using built image: The ultimate goal is to have a working application running inside the container. This requirement verifies that the Dockerfile is correctly configured and the application is properly deployed.
   • DockerHub image repository shows at least one tagged image: Uploading a tagged image to DockerHub demonstrates the ability to manage and distribute Docker images. This is an essential skill for modern application deployment.

Part 2 - GitHub Actions and DockerHub ( / 17)

Part 2 - GitHub Actions and DockerHub delves into the automation of the build, test, and deployment processes using GitHub Actions. This section evaluates the configuration of repository secrets, the creation of CI workflows, and the integration with DockerHub. GitHub Actions is a powerful tool for automating software development workflows, and this section tests the ability to leverage its capabilities effectively.

Documentation and Task Requirements

1. Configuring GitHub Repository Secrets: This section requires a detailed explanation of how to create a Personal Access Token (PAT) for authentication and how to set repository secrets for use by GitHub Actions. Security is paramount in CI/CD pipelines, and this section ensures that sensitive information is handled properly.
   • How to create a PAT for authentication (and recommended PAT scope for this project): Explain the process of creating a PAT in GitHub and the recommended scope for this project. A PAT allows GitHub Actions to authenticate with other services, such as DockerHub, without exposing your account credentials. Setting the appropriate scope ensures that the PAT has only the necessary permissions.
   • How to set repository Secrets for use by GitHub Actions: Describe how to set repository secrets in GitHub for use by GitHub Actions. Secrets are used to store sensitive information, such as DockerHub credentials, that are needed by the CI/CD pipeline. Properly configured secrets ensure that the workflow can access the necessary resources without compromising security.
   • Describe the Secrets set for this project: List and describe the secrets set for this project. Explain their purpose and how they are used in the workflow. This provides transparency and helps others understand the security considerations of the project.
2. CI with GitHub Actions: This section focuses on the creation and configuration of CI workflows using GitHub Actions. The documentation should explain the workflow trigger, the steps involved, and any values that need to be updated when used in a different repository.
   • Explanation of workflow trigger: Describe the event that triggers the workflow, such as a push to the main branch or the creation of a new tag. Understanding the workflow trigger is crucial for ensuring that the CI/CD pipeline runs at the appropriate times.
   • Explanation of workflow steps: Provide a detailed explanation of each step in the workflow. Describe what the step does, how it contributes to the overall process, and any dependencies it has. This allows others to understand the workflow’s logic and to troubleshoot any issues that may arise.
   • Explanation / highlight of values that need updated if used in a different repository: Identify any values in the workflow that need to be updated when the workflow is used in a different repository. This may include repository names, branch names, or secret names. Highlighting these values ensures that the workflow can be easily adapted to different projects.
     • Changes in workflow: Describe any changes that may be required in the workflow itself, such as adding new steps or modifying existing ones.
     • Changes in repository: Explain any changes that may be required in the repository, such as updating configuration files or adding new dependencies.
   • Link to workflow file in your GitHub repository: Provide a direct link to the workflow file in your GitHub repository. This allows others to easily access and review the workflow configuration.
3. Testing & Validating: This section emphasizes the importance of testing and validating the CI/CD pipeline. The documentation should describe how to test that the workflow did its tasking and how to verify that the image in DockerHub works when a container is run using the image.
   • How to test that your workflow did its tasking: Describe the steps to verify that the workflow has executed successfully. This may include checking the logs, verifying that the image has been built and pushed to DockerHub, and running tests on the deployed application.
   • How to verify that the image in DockerHub works when a container is run using the image: Explain how to run a container from the image in DockerHub and verify that it is working correctly. This ensures that the deployed application is functioning as expected.
   • Link to your DockerHub repository: Provide a direct link to your DockerHub repository. This allows others to access and review the images that have been built and deployed by the CI/CD pipeline.

Task Requirements

The task requirements focus on the practical implementation of GitHub Actions and DockerHub integration. These requirements ensure that the CI/CD pipeline is correctly configured and functioning as expected.

• Secrets set in repository: Verify that the necessary secrets have been set in the repository. This is crucial for authentication and for accessing external services like DockerHub.
• Workflow defined, triggers on push to main: Ensure that a workflow has been defined and that it is triggered on a push to the main branch. This is a common trigger for CI/CD pipelines and ensures that the workflow runs whenever new code is committed.
• GitHub Action has run workflow at least once: Verify that the GitHub Action workflow has run at least once. This confirms that the workflow is properly configured and that it is being triggered as expected.

Part 3 - Semantic Versioning ( / 17)

Part 3 - Semantic Versioning focuses on the importance of versioning Docker images using semantic versioning principles. This section assesses the ability to generate tags, push them to GitHub, and configure a GitHub Actions workflow to build and push images with semantic version tags to DockerHub. Semantic versioning is crucial for managing dependencies and ensuring that applications can be upgraded and rolled back safely.

Documentation Requirements

1. Generating tags: This section requires a detailed explanation of how to see tags in a git repository, how to generate a tag, and how to push a tag to GitHub. Tagging is a fundamental aspect of version control and is essential for semantic versioning.
   • How to see tags in a git repository: Describe the command-line tools and techniques for listing the tags in a git repository. This allows others to view the available versions of the code and to track changes over time.
   • How to generate a tag in a git repository: Explain the process of creating a tag in git. This includes the command-line syntax and the options for creating annotated or lightweight tags. Generating tags is a crucial step in semantic versioning.
   • How to push a tag in a git repository to GitHub: Describe how to push tags to GitHub. This ensures that the tags are available in the remote repository and can be used to identify specific versions of the code.
2. Semantic Versioning Container Images with GitHub Actions: This section focuses on configuring a GitHub Actions workflow to build and push Docker images with semantic version tags to DockerHub. The documentation should explain the workflow trigger, the steps involved, and any values that need to be updated when used in a different repository.
   • Explanation of workflow trigger: Describe the event that triggers the workflow, such as the creation of a new tag. Triggering the workflow on tag creation ensures that new versions of the image are built and pushed to DockerHub automatically.
   • Explanation of workflow steps: Provide a detailed explanation of each step in the workflow. Describe what the step does, how it contributes to the overall process, and any dependencies it has. This allows others to understand the workflow’s logic and to troubleshoot any issues that may arise.
   • Explanation / highlight of values that need updated if used in a different repository: Identify any values in the workflow that need to be updated when the workflow is used in a different repository. This may include repository names, image names, or DockerHub credentials. Highlighting these values ensures that the workflow can be easily adapted to different projects.
     • Changes in workflow: Describe any changes that may be required in the workflow itself, such as adding new steps or modifying existing ones.
     • Changes in repository: Explain any changes that may be required in the repository, such as updating configuration files or adding new dependencies.
   • Link to workflow file in your GitHub repository: Provide a direct link to the workflow file in your GitHub repository. This allows others to easily access and review the workflow configuration.
3. Testing & Validating: This section emphasizes the importance of testing and validating the semantic versioning workflow. The documentation should describe how to test that the workflow did its tasking and how to verify that the image in DockerHub works when a container is run using the image.
   • How to test that your workflow did its tasking: Describe the steps to verify that the workflow has executed successfully. This may include checking the logs, verifying that the image has been built and pushed to DockerHub with the correct tag, and running tests on the deployed application.
   • How to verify that the image in DockerHub works when a container is run using the image: Explain how to run a container from the image in DockerHub and verify that it is working correctly. This ensures that the deployed application is functioning as expected.
   • Link to your DockerHub repository with evidence of the tag set: Provide a direct link to your DockerHub repository and include evidence of the semantic tag being set. This demonstrates that the workflow has successfully pushed the image with the correct tag.

Task Requirements

The task requirements focus on the practical implementation of semantic versioning using GitHub Actions and DockerHub. These requirements ensure that the workflow is correctly configured and functioning as expected.

• Workflow defined, trigger on push of tags: Ensure that a workflow has been defined and that it is triggered on the push of tags. This ensures that new versions of the image are built and pushed to DockerHub whenever a new tag is created.
• GitHub Action has run workflow at least once with tag being the event: Verify that the GitHub Action workflow has run at least once with a tag being the triggering event. This confirms that the workflow is properly configured and that it is being triggered as expected.
• DockerHub shows semantically tagged versions from GH Action: Verify that DockerHub shows the semantically tagged versions of the image that have been built and pushed by the GitHub Action workflow. This ensures that the images are being versioned correctly.

Common Point Deductions

This section outlines common mistakes that can lead to point deductions. Avoiding these pitfalls can significantly improve your project score.

• (-30%) Documentation not well organized with markdown OR includes project descriptive text: Poorly organized documentation or the inclusion of unnecessary descriptive text can lead to a significant deduction. Ensure your documentation is well-structured using markdown and focuses on essential information.
• (-10%) Documentation fails to address what was not implemented / implies the project is fully functional. Always document shortcomings and note what is "research" on how the rest should be done: Transparency is crucial. If there are aspects of the project that are not fully implemented, clearly document them and explain any research you’ve done on how they could be completed. Implying the project is fully functional when it isn’t can lead to a deduction.
• (-5%) Dockerfile does not build viable container image to run application: A non-functional Dockerfile defeats the purpose of containerization. Ensure your Dockerfile builds a viable image that can run the application.
• (-5%) GitHub Action does not push image(s) to DockerHub: Failing to push images to DockerHub indicates a problem with the CI/CD pipeline. Verify that your GitHub Action is correctly configured to push images.
• (-5%) Images in DockerHub do not use semantic versions in tagging: Semantic versioning is essential for managing dependencies and releases. Ensure your images in DockerHub are tagged using semantic versions.
• No citations of referenced material: Proper citation is crucial for academic integrity. Failure to cite referenced material can lead to a serious penalty.

[!WARNING] May result in Academic Integrity Violation with a penalty of a 0 on the project

Conclusion

The Project 4 Rubric encompasses a wide range of skills and concepts, from Docker containerization to GitHub Actions automation and semantic versioning. By understanding the requirements of each section and addressing them thoroughly, you can significantly improve your project score. Remember to focus on clear documentation, practical implementation, and adherence to best practices. Good luck!

For more information on best practices for CI/CD and Docker, consider visiting the official Docker Documentation.