What is the purpose of the dotnet build, dotnet test, and dotnet publish commands in pipelines?

Short answer: What is the purpose of the dotnet build, dotnet test, and dotnet publish commands in pipelines? Answer: dotnet build → Compiles your code and checks for errors. dotnet test → Runs all your unit tests. dotnet publish → Packages your app for deployment (e.g., to Azure Web App).

Example code

In a pipeline: script: dotnet build script: dotnet test script: dotnet publish -c Release -o $(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory) The final publish step outputs deployable files like .dll or .zip.

Say this in the interview

1. Define — one clear sentence (the short answer above).
2. Example — relate it to a project like ShopNest or your real work.
3. Trade-off — when you would not use it.