Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Delivery (CD) are two of the most-used modern software practices in application development. Both tools test the codes developers create, finding mistakes and making changes to them while altering them into the correct codes.
In the digital world, CI/CD refers to the automatic process of enabling incremental code changes from the developers’ to the mainline of production.
CI vs. CD: Which One Is Better?
1. CI is Automated
Continuous Integration is the process of making minor changes to the codes written for a software or application. As companies mass produce their products, CI enables the production and modifications of code in an automated manner—making the process much faster. As a result, developers can handle several different edits and changes within a short time.
2. CD is Consistent
On the other hand, Continuous Delivery is an automated process that transports the completed code to testing and developing environments. It is the practice of ensuring that the changes are correct and ready for production deployment. Therefore, all companies should have a CD as their end game as it is the last phase of development before a launch.
Benefits of Using CI/CD in Software Development
1. Lesser Risks and Errors
Errors are typical in most industries. However, it can become recurring for initiatives similar to application development as developers deal with codes. Although the codes work most of the time, there can still be errors. They can become an issue, especially for more established companies that value their overall production time.
Through CI and CD, developers can monitor the codes they’ve written and edit them before launching the product into the market. It leads to the company using less time to produce their products, making them more efficient and productive.
2. Improved Communication
Code-sharing is an integral part of developing an application or software. As people work in teams to provide support for each production stage, it’s crucial to keep good communication with each other to ensure a seamless production all the time.
CI and CD provide an improved communication process as they involve a workflow that makes it possible to share codes among teams, making them regularized. That way, the project becomes more collaborative and efficient throughout the process.
3. High-Quality Products
Since CI and CD take care of the possible errors in a software or application, correcting mistakes becomes a breeze. From there, companies can produce, launch, and market higher-quality products that people can rely on.
4. Faster Production Time
On average, the entire production process of a software or application takes time. The developers have to go through development, integration, testing, and deployment before customers can get the product in their hands.
However, the production period does not include changes and edits made for every wrong code written. But through CI and CD, companies can reduce the overall time it takes customers to receive the product in their hands.
Conclusion
Although CI and CD use seems like an excellent option to improve a company’s production process, changing the system also requires a fresh start on the company’s methods and practices. Using CI and CD tools may require restructuring, ultimately making the process effective and efficient. Other than that, companies should notice an increase in their productivity and speed after implementing their tools.
Creative Business Labs is a premiere digital consulting firm that focuses on computer consulting services. Our goal is to help clients integrate new processes or technologies to help their companies thrive in the market. Through Continuous Integration and Continuous Development, firms should lessen their overall production time by at least a quarter. Consult with our in-house experts today for more detailed advice!
