Continuous integration vs continuous deployment: Understanding the right time to use them

Continuous integration (CI) and continuous deployment (CD) are two essential practices in modern software development that, while distinct, work in tandem to streamline the release process. CI focuses on automating the integration of code changes from multiple contributors into a single software project, with an emphasis on frequent, small commits that are tested for functionality and quality before being merged. This helps maintain code quality and prevents regressions. On the other hand, CD automates the process of deploying validated code changes to end users, aiming to deliver new features as quickly as possible. In contrast, continuous delivery, a related concept, involves a manual approval step before deployment. The article underscores the importance of CI as a foundation for reliable CD, recommending starting with robust CI practices before moving to automated deployments. Feature flags are suggested as a method to control feature releases independent of the deployment cycle, allowing for flexibility in feature rollouts. The text also highlights that Tyk offers a solution for deploying an API gateway in CI/CD pipelines, providing both open-source and cloud-based options.