Continuous Integration (CI)

Simple Definition for Beginners:

Continuous Integration (CI) is a software development practice where developers regularly merge their code changes into a shared repository, triggering automated builds and tests.

Common Use Example:

In a CI workflow, developers commit their code changes to the main branch multiple times a day, allowing automated tests to run and ensuring that the codebase remains stable and functional.

Technical Definition for Professionals:

Continuous Integration (CI) is a development practice that involves frequently integrating code changes from multiple developers into a shared repository. The main goals of CI are to detect integration issues early, improve code quality, and accelerate the development process. When developers commit code changes, CI tools automatically build the software, run automated tests, and provide feedback on the status of the build. Popular CI tools include Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, Travis CI, and CircleCI. CI is often a key component of continuous delivery (CD) and DevOps practices, enabling teams to deliver high-quality software updates more rapidly and reliably.