What is continuous integration (CI) in software development?
a) A practice where developers frequently merge their code changes into a shared repository
b) A process of writing performance tests
c) A method of automating manual testing
d) A technique for managing project budgets
Answer:
a) A practice where developers frequently merge their code changes into a shared repository
Explanation:
Continuous integration (CI) is a development practice where developers frequently merge their code changes into a shared repository, typically multiple times a day. Each merge triggers an automated build and testing process to ensure that the new code integrates smoothly with the existing codebase.
CI helps teams detect integration issues early, reduces the chances of conflicting changes, and ensures that the codebase is always in a deployable state. Automated testing plays a critical role in CI, catching bugs and regressions before they reach production.
By implementing CI, teams can deliver software faster, with fewer defects, and more confidence in the stability of the codebase.