Tech Dictionary

CI/CD

CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery) is a set of practices that automate the integration and delivery of code changes, allowing teams to release software quickly and efficiently.

Metaphor

CI/CD is like an assembly line in a factory where each piece is added and tested continuously until the final product is complete.

Examples

A development team uses CI/CD to automatically test and deploy code changes to production multiple times a day.

Why It Matters

CI/CD ensures that code changes are tested and delivered quickly, reducing the time to market and increasing software quality.

Business Impact

CI/CD can lead to faster release cycles, fewer bugs in production, and improved collaboration among development teams.

When It's Useful
  • Use Case 1: In fast-paced development environments where quick, frequent releases are necessary.
  • Use Case 2: When maintaining complex systems where automated testing and integration reduce the risk of introducing bugs.
  • Use Case 3: For large teams working on the same codebase, ensuring that changes integrate smoothly and don’t break the build.
Best Practices

Automate as much of the process as possible; ensure thorough testing at each stage; keep the pipeline fast and reliable.

Common Pitfalls

Inadequate test coverage leading to undetected bugs; complex pipelines that are difficult to maintain; failing to keep CI/CD tools updated.

Key Metrics

Deployment frequency, lead time for changes, change failure rate, mean time to recovery (MTTR).

Tools and Technologies

Jenkins, GitLab CI, CircleCI, Travis CI

Term's Application and Relevance

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How does CI/CD improve software development?
CI/CD automates testing and deployment, allowing for more frequent and reliable releases, reducing errors, and speeding up time to market.
What’s the difference between Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery?
Continuous Integration focuses on automating the integration and testing of code changes, while Continuous Delivery automates the release process to production environments.
Is CI/CD suitable for all types of projects?
While CI/CD is beneficial for most projects, it's particularly valuable for projects with frequent updates, multiple developers, or complex systems. However, very small or short-term projects might not see as much benefit from a full CI/CD implementation.
How does CI/CD impact team productivity?
CI/CD typically enhances team productivity by automating repetitive tasks, providing faster feedback on code changes, and reducing time spent on manual testing and deployments. This allows developers to focus more on writing code and solving problems.
Tech jargon for non-techs

Related terms

Deployment

The process of making a software application available for use.

Component

A modular, reusable piece of software that performs a specific function within a larger system.

Codebase

The entire collection of source code used to build a particular software application.
Houston, we have a new mission!

Ready to discuss your project with us?

Name
Mail
Info
Contact us
T-minus 2

One step closer to the stars!

We can't wait to dive into the details of your project and explore the ways we can contribute to its success.  Expect a member of our team to contact you within 2 business days.If you prefer to have a non-disclosure agreement in place before we delve into the specifics, feel free to download and fill out ours. Once completed, you can send it back to us at admin@tresastroanutas.com
There was an error! Please try again.