How to Use the Command 'az upgrade' (with examples)
The az upgrade command is part of the Azure Command-Line Interface (CLI), which is a set of tools for managing Azure resources and services directly from the command line. The az upgrade command specifically is used to update the Azure CLI and its extensions to the latest versions. Keeping your CLI up-to-date ensures you have access to the latest features, bug fixes, and security improvements provided by Microsoft. Below, we will explore different ways to use the az upgrade command effectively.
Use case 1: Upgrade Azure CLI
Code:
az upgrade
Motivation:
Keeping the Azure CLI updated is crucial for leveraging new capabilities, enhancements, and security updates. As Microsoft regularly releases updates to their CLI tool, regularly upgrading ensures that you can use the latest features and avoid bugs that might have been fixed in newer releases. Running the az upgrade command with no additional flags is the simplest way to ensure your base Azure CLI is up-to-date without affecting any installed extensions.
Explanation:
az: This is the base command for the Azure CLI, which is used to invoke all Azure-related commands.upgrade: This argument specifies the action to perform, which in this case is to upgrade the Azure CLI itself.
Example Output:
Checking for updates...
Found a new version of the Azure CLI: 2.x.x (current version: 2.y.y)
Downloading installer...
Installing new version...
Azure CLI upgraded successfully.
Use case 2: Upgrade Azure CLI and Extensions
Code:
az upgrade --all
Motivation:
Beyond just upgrading the Azure CLI core, it is often necessary to update all installed extensions to their latest versions. Extensions provide additional functionalities and commands that might not be available in the core CLI. Ensuring both the CLI and its extensions are current allows users to have a seamless and complete experience with Azure tools.
Explanation:
az: The base Azure CLI command.upgrade: Specifies the action of upgrading.--all: This flag indicates that not only the main CLI should be upgraded, but also all installed extensions should receive updates. This is vital when using extensions that add extra functionalities, as they often need to stay in sync with the core CLI to function correctly.
Example Output:
Checking for updates...
Found a new version of the Azure CLI: 2.x.x (current version: 2.y.y)
Downloading installer for Azure CLI...
Installing new CLI version...
Checking for extension updates...
Updating [extension1] from 0.1.0 to 0.2.0...
Updating [extension2] from 1.0.0 to 1.1.0...
All components have been successfully upgraded.
Use case 3: Upgrade Azure CLI and Extensions without prompting for confirmation
Code:
az upgrade --all --yes
Motivation:
In scenarios where automation or scripting is involved, user interaction to confirm actions can be problematic. The --yes flag is particularly useful in such cases as it allows the upgrade to proceed without manual confirmation. This can be vital for maintaining continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines or during automated maintenance tasks, where manual intervention is undesirable.
Explanation:
az: This is the core Azure CLI command.upgrade: Indicates the upgrade action.--all: Ensures that all extensions, in addition to the CLI, are updated.--yes: Automatically agrees to any prompts that would normally require user confirmation. This ensures the command runs non-interactively, which is useful for scripting purposes.
Example Output:
Checking for updates...
Upgrade available for Azure CLI: 2.x.x (current version: 2.y.y)
CLI and extensions updates will be applied...
Downloading installer...
Upgrading Azure CLI and extensions...
All upgrades were applied successfully.
Conclusion:
Regularly using the az upgrade command in its various forms is essential for any Azure user or administrator. Whether updating just the CLI or including extensions, and whether doing so in interactive or automated environments, mastering these commands ensures your tools are always in peak condition for interacting with Azure. Keeping the tools updated not only leverages the latest features but also provides a secure and efficient working environment.
