Introduction

  • 2 minutes

This module explains what Bicep is and how it's integrated into different tools such as Azure CLI, Visual Studio Code, Azure Pipelines, and GitHub workflows for infrastructure as code deployment.

Module overview

Bicep is a domain-specific language (DSL) for deploying Azure resources declaratively. It provides a simpler syntax than JSON templates, automatic dependency management, and type safety. Bicep transpiles to Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates, providing all the benefits of infrastructure as code with an improved authoring experience.

This module covers Bicep fundamentals, installation, template creation, syntax, and deployment through various automation tools.

Learning objectives

After completing this module, you'll be able to:

  • Understand what Bicep is: Learn about Bicep as a domain-specific language for Azure infrastructure as code.
  • Install Bicep: Install Bicep CLI and configure Visual Studio Code with the Bicep extension for an enhanced authoring experience.
  • Create Bicep templates: Write Bicep files to define Azure resources with parameters, variables, and modules.
  • Understand Bicep syntax: Learn Bicep file structure including parameters, variables, resources, outputs, and modules.
  • Deploy resources to Azure: Use Azure CLI and Cloud Shell to deploy Bicep templates.
  • Deploy with Azure Pipelines: Integrate Bicep deployments into Azure Pipelines for continuous deployment.
  • Deploy with GitHub workflows: Use GitHub Actions to automate Bicep template deployments.
  • Understand ARM integration: Learn how Bicep transpiles to Azure Resource Manager templates.

Prerequisites

  • Understanding of infrastructure as code concepts.
  • Basic knowledge of Azure resources and resource groups.
  • Familiarity with Azure CLI or Azure PowerShell.
  • Experience with Azure Pipelines or GitHub workflows is helpful but not required.