What is continuous integration in software delivery?

Continuous integration (CI) is a software development practice aimed at improving the quality and speed of software delivery by encouraging frequent code changes and their integration into a shared repository. This practice helps identify and resolve conflicts early, ensuring a stable codebase. CI relies on automated build and test systems to check for errors and verify that new code meets specifications, facilitating quick issue resolution and reducing delays. It is often associated with continuous deployment and continuous delivery, forming a comprehensive CI/CD pipeline that automates various development tasks. While CI offers benefits like risk mitigation, improved feedback loops, and enhanced communication among team members, it also presents challenges such as scaling and technology adoption. Best practices for CI include frequent code commits, optimizing pipeline speed, simplifying builds, and early testing to ensure quality. The adoption of CI practices leads to faster build times, quicker bug fixes, and improved collaboration, making it a critical element in modern software delivery processes.