| ms.topic | include |
|---|---|
| ms.service | azure-devops-pipelines |
| ms.manager | mijacobs |
| ms.author | jukullam |
| author | juliakm |
| ms.date | 07/31/2025 |
The following table highlights the key differences between parameters and variables in Azure Pipelines.
| Feature | Parameters | Variables |
|---|---|---|
| Evaluation Time | Template parsing (queue) | Evaluation is syntax-dependent. Variables defined with macro syntax ($(var)) evaluate at runtime before a task runs and used in scripts and tasks. Variables defined with runtime expressions ($[variables.var]) evaluate before a job or stage runs and are used in conditions or dynamic variable assignment. |
| Mutability | Immutable after queue | User-defined, environment, and output variables can be updated dynamically during pipeline execution |
| UI exposure during run | Shown in Run Pipeline UI and can be set before a run | Exposed during run if set in Pipeline UI as overridable |
| Secret values | No support for secret values | Can be set as secrets |