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  1. Jenkins
  2. JENKINS-41335

Allow variables and functions to be defined within pipeline to be used in any stage

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      I have several use cases where I may operate on a list or map on different stages of a pipeline. This variable may not be known ahead of time - it could be defined within a stage. I'd like a syntax that allows me to define variables within a pipeline.

      Today, I have to define a shared variable before entering pipeline {}.

      Jenkinsfile
      #!/bin/groovy
// Define outside of pipeline to make sure accessible in all script {} blocks
def my_list

pipeline {
    agent { label 'label' }
    stages {
        stage('stage1') {
          steps {
           script {
               my_list = [1,2,3]
           }
          }
        }
    
        stage('stage2') {
          steps {
            script {
                for(int i=0; i<my_list.size();i++) {
                    echo "Doing something with ${my_list[i]}"
                }
            }
          }
        }
    }
}

      A simple approach would be to allow "def" to work anywhere within pipeline {}. This avoids any overly new syntax for pipeline.

      Another option would allow the user to provide a special pipeline {} block for defining non-env/params style variables. This could be helpful in allowing the user to use items available in script {} for defining shared state.

      Jenkinsfile with possible example syntax
      #!/bin/groovy


pipeline {
    agent { label 'label' }    

    define {
       def my_map = [:] //empty map
       def my_list //undefined shared variable
     }

    stages {
        stage('stage1') {
          steps {
            script {
              //If def can be anywhere in pipeline {}, drop script {}
              my_list = [1,2,3]
            }
          }
        }
    
        stage('stage2') {
          steps {
            script {
                for(int i=0; i<my_list.size();i++) {
                    echo "Doing something with ${my_list[i]}"
                }
            }
          }
        }
    }
}

            abayer Andrew Bayer
            rpocase Robby Pocase
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              Created:
              Updated:
              Resolved: