Continuous Integration (CI)

Continuous Integration (CI) is a development practice where team members frequently integrate their code into a shared repository, often multiple times a day. Each integration is verified by automated builds and tests to detect errors early.

Why it’s important in Agile:

• CI supports Agile’s principles of rapid feedback and adaptability by ensuring that code changes are tested and integrated continuously.
• It reduces integration challenges, catching issues early before they become harder to resolve.
• It fosters collaboration by making sure everyone works on the latest version of the codebase, reducing bottlenecks.
• It reduces manual steps that would otherwise be necessary and which cost much more time.

Roots: Continuous Integration has its roots in Extreme Programming (XP), which promotes practices like automated testing, continuous builds, and frequent integration to improve code quality and collaboration. XP emphasizes short iterations and adaptability, making CI a natural fit.

In Agile, CI helps teams maintain momentum and deliver small, incremental improvements, reducing the risk of integration problems late in the process.