A CI/CD pipeline is a set of processes that drive software development through a path of building, testing, and deploying code, also known as continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) . The pipeline automates the process of compiling code changes made by developers, linking and packaging them into software deliverables, and verifying the software functionality through automated tests. The aim is to increase early defect discovery, increase productivity, and provide faster release cycles.
CI/CD bridges the gaps between development and operation activities and teams by enforcing automation in building, testing, and deployment of applications. The process contrasts with traditional methods where a collection of software updates were integrated into one large batch before deploying the newer version. Modern-day DevOps practices involve continuous development, testing, integration, deployment, and monitoring of software applications throughout its development life cycle.
CI/CD pipelines are a practice focused on improving software delivery throughout the software development life cycle via automation. The pipeline includes compiling code, unit tests, code analysis, security, and binaries creation. For containerized environments, this pipeline would also include packaging the code into a container image to be deployed across a hybrid cloud.
CI/CD is an essential part of DevOps and any modern software development practice. A purpose-built CI/CD platform can maximize development time by improving an organizations productivity, increasing efficiency, and streamlining workflows through built-in automation, testing, and collaboration. Having a CI/CD pipeline has more positive effects than only making an existing process a little more efficient. It helps development, security, and operations teams work as efficiently and effectively as possible, decreases tedious and time-consuming manual development work and legacy approval processes, and frees developers to focus on writing code and monitoring the behavior of the system in production.
