Modern software development requires a system where multiple developers can simultaneously work on different features of the same application. A conflict arises when all of the source code merges in a single day. This is when CI/CD Pipeline comes into play.
What does CI/CD stand for?
- CI – Continuous Integration – Method that automates development
- CD – Continuous Delivery and/or Continuous Deployment
- Continuous Delivery – Developer Changes are moved to the repository (like GitHub or a container registry)
- Continuous Deployment – Releasing from repository to production for customer use
What is a CI/CD Pipeline?
Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Delivery (CD) Pipeline is a series of steps involved to deliver a new version of the software. CI/CD provides a better experience to release software more reliably in an automated way always.
The intention of automating the process is to reduce human error and keep the software release process consistent.
Continuous deployment is best for DevOps teams that can deliver new or updated software frequently and as quickly as possible (Reliable software delivery process ).
Processes that are included in the pipeline: Code compile, Code analysis, Unit tests, Security tests, Binaries creation, and Deployment.
Benefits of the CI/CD Pipeline:
- The goal of CI/CD pipelines is to run everything simultaneously
- Improving the ability to address error detection in the earlier stage of the development process
- CI/CD pipelines eliminate human error, provide developers with standardized feedback loops, and speed up product iterations
- CI/CD improves overall communication and accountability between team members. It achieves this by turning into a standard framework for all developers, QAs, and product managers involved in a specific project
The majority of software releases go through a few standard stages:
Development lifecycle and workflow of the CI/CD pipeline from source code to production deployment:
- Pipeline Trigger Phase: Every time a new commit is pushed to the code repository, Pipeline needs to be automatically triggered. It’s risky to rely on a manual trigger since people forget to run the pipeline or take more time to complete the process
- Code Checkout Phase: Once the pipeline is triggered, behind the screen source code checkout is initiated from the source repository, such as GitHub or Bitbucket at a given commit point, and starts the process
- Code Compile Phase: CI/CD pipeline starts with the code compilation process. A notification is sent to the respective CI/CD pipeline tool for every new code change (Commit) and provides results. Based on the result other pipelines will be triggered. So that teams can concurrently merge source code and rapidly integrate new code without any problems or conflicts
- Build: This is the second phase in the CI/CD pipeline when the compiled source code and other necessary dependencies are obtained to create a new version of the software package. In the build stage, fundamental project misconfiguration can be discovered and corrected instantly
- Test: At this phase, Automated tests happen in both continuous delivery and deployment. These tests could include integration tests, unit testing, security testing, and regression testing
- Delivery: At this phase, the production environment receives a source code that has been accepted at this point. In continuous deployment, this stage of deployment is automated, and in continuous delivery, it is only automated after the appropriate team’s (Developer) permission
- Deploy: Finally, in this stage, new features or enhancements are deployed, and the new product is approved for production. In continuous delivery, products or source code are uploaded to release repositories where the release team approved production or deployment. This phase is automated for continuous deployment
Some of the Best Continuous Integration Tools:
- Jenkins
- Buddy
- TeamCity
- Bamboo
- GitLab CI
Wrapping Up:
CI/CD helps DevOps work as efficiently as possible which allows them to integrate smaller changes more frequently and receive faster feedback. This way the Software development lifecycles are shortened by making DevOps processes continuous and iterative. This enables businesses to deliver features more quickly.
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