What are the different types of pipelines in GitLab?

In GitLab, there are different types of pipelines that you can configure to automate your CI/CD workflows. These pipelines serve specific purposes and can be customized based on your project's requirements. Here are the different types of pipelines in GitLab:

Branch Pipelines: Branch pipelines are triggered whenever changes are pushed to a specific branch in your Git repository. They allow you to build, test, and deploy changes specific to a branch, enabling you to work on different features or bug fixes simultaneously without affecting the main branch.

Tag Pipelines: Tag pipelines are triggered when a new tag is pushed to the repository. They are typically used for creating release builds or running specific deployment tasks associated with tagged versions of your code.

Merge Request Pipelines: Merge request pipelines are triggered when a merge request is created or updated. They help automate the validation and testing of code changes before they are merged into the main branch. Merge request pipelines allow you to review and test changes in an isolated environment, ensuring the quality and integrity of your codebase.

Scheduled Pipelines: Scheduled pipelines are triggered at specific intervals based on a predefined schedule. They allow you to automate regular tasks, such as code backups, database updates, or scheduled deployments. Scheduled pipelines are useful for performing recurring tasks without manual intervention.

API Triggered Pipelines: API triggered pipelines can be triggered programmatically using the GitLab API. This allows you to integrate pipeline execution with other systems or custom workflows. API triggered pipelines provide flexibility in automating CI/CD processes and integrating GitLab with external tools or services.

External Pipelines: External pipelines are triggered by events outside of GitLab, such as webhooks or external CI/CD systems. They enable you to integrate GitLab pipelines with external tools or services, allowing seamless execution of your CI/CD workflows across different systems.

Manual Pipelines: Manual pipelines require manual intervention to trigger the pipeline execution. They are useful for scenarios where certain tasks, such as approvals or manual tests, need to be performed before proceeding with the pipeline. Manual pipelines provide control and flexibility in the execution of specific stages or jobs.

Each type of pipeline in GitLab has its own purpose and can be configured to automate different aspects of your CI/CD workflows. By utilizing these various pipeline types, you can streamline your development processes, ensure code quality, and automate the deployment of your applications.