Continuous Integration
Continuous Integration (CI) is a development practice in Extreme Programming (XP) that focuses on the regular integration and testing of code. Developers continuously commit their code changes to a shared repository, ideally several times a day. With each commit, an automated build and test process is run to ensure that the codebase remains in a stable state. This practice allows teams to identify and address integration issues more rapidly, reducing the risk and effort associated with integrating large sets of changes. By identifying and resolving problems early, teams can minimize the amount of time spent on fixing bugs and instead focus on implementing new features.
A Complete Guide to Continuous Integration in Agile Project Management and Extreme Programming
What is Continuous Integration?
Continuous Integration (CI) is a development practice where developers integrate code into a shared repository frequently, preferably several times a day. It aims to prevent integration problems, which are known as 'integration hell' in coding environments.
Why is Continuous Integration Important?
Continuous Integration is vital because it leads to significantly reduced integration problems and allows a team to develop cohesive software rapidly. This method encourages developers to share their code and unit tests by merging their changes into a shared version control repository after every small task completion.
How does Continuous Integration work?
CI merges all developer working copies to a shared mainline several times a day. The main aim is to avoid divergence of the project paths. The process is complemented by an automated build that allows teams to detect problems early.
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Continuous Integration
i. Always define the basic terms first (i.e., Agile, Extreme Programming, Continuous Integration).
ii. Use concrete examples where possible to illustrate the theory.
iii. For longer essay questions, remember to structure your answer appropriately, including an introduction, main section, and conclusion.
iv. Explain the benefits of using CI, with a focus on how it prevents 'integration hell.'
v. For comparison questions, discuss the CI approach against other software development methodologies.
vi. Explain how CI works in conjunction with other agile practices.
vii. Keep answers concise and stick to the point.
viii. Revise key concepts and definitions extensively before the exam.
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