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Romana Shevchenko
Staff Writer

Delivering features and bug fixes to users quickly is the top priority of any development team. But with complex codebases and multiple developers, ensuring smooth, error-free delivery can be a challenge. Luckily, modern development practices like CI/CD pipelines can streamline the process and make rapid, reliable releases a reality.

In this interview with Andrii, our Test Automation Engineer, we will break down the concept of the CI/CD pipeline, explain the key stages involved, and share insights about the benefits and best practices of adopting CI/CD in your workflow.

What is a CI/CD pipeline?

Application development can be a chaotic process, with code changes scattered across individual developer environments and no guarantee of seamless integration. This chaos often results in headaches like conflicting features or unnoticed bugs causing problems in production. CI/CD pipelines can help streamline this process.

A CI/CD pipeline is a series of automated steps that developers use to build, test, and deploy their code. “CI” stands for Continuous Integration, which involves integrating code changes into a shared repository frequently. “CD” stands for Continuous Deployment or Continuous Delivery, which means automatically deploying the code to production or a staging environment. The goal of CI/CD is to ensure that the software is always in a releasable state and to make the process of releasing updates fast and reliable.

What are the main stages of a CI/CD pipeline?

A CI/CD pipeline typically includes the following stages:

  • Source Stage. The pipeline starts every time a developer creates something new and pushes it to the source code repository.

  • Build Stage. Here, the code undergoes compilation to combine all the different parts and prepare it for the next stage. In addition, dependencies are resolved to ensure that all necessary libraries and tools are available for the code to function properly.

  • Test Stage. At this stage, automated tests are run to verify that the code functions as expected. The code goes through unit tests, integration tests, and other types of tests to identify bugs and issues.

  • Deploy Stage. Once testing is complete, the code is deployed to a staging or production environment.

  • Release Stage. The polished software is finally released and made available to end users.

  • Monitor Stage. After a product launch, the application or feature is monitored for performance, errors, and other metrics to ensure it runs smoothly.

What are the benefits of implementing CI/CD in a software development workflow?

Implementing CI/CD in any software development workflow offers numerous benefits:

  • Faster Delivery. No more waiting around for weeks or even months between updates. CI/CD takes care of all the repetitive tasks, so the team can push out updates and bug fixes faster and with less stress.

  • Higher Quality. Thanks to continuous testing and integration, any issues are caught early. This means that software is more reliable and smoother to use, with fewer glitches that disrupt user experience.

  • Reduced Risk. Smaller, incremental updates are less risky and easier to troubleshoot than large, infrequent releases. If anything goes wrong, a small release is easier to manage and troubleshoot.

  • Improved Collaboration. The pipeline keeps everyone on the same page and fosters a collaborative environment. Developers can work more effectively, knowing their changes will be tested and integrated continuously.

  • Consistent Environments. With automated deployments, all environments—development, staging, production—are consistent. It reduces the likelihood of compatibility issues and ensures a smoother deployment process overall.

How does testing fit into the CI/CD pipeline, and what types of tests are typically performed at different stages?

Testing is absolutely essential in CI/CD. It occurs at multiple stages to proactively fix issues and deliver a high-quality final product. Here’s how different types of tests are embedded into the CI/CD pipelines:

  • Unit Tests are performed during the Build stage. These tests check individual components of the code for correctness.

  • Integration Tests are run during the Test stage. They ensure that different parts of the application work together as expected.

  • Functional Tests verify whether the entire application behaves according to requirements.

  • Acceptance Tests are often automated, they confirm that the application meets the business requirements and is ready for deployment.

  • Performance Tests are conducted before deployment to ensure the application performs well under expected loads. These tests are essential to identify any performance bottlenecks before deployment.

  • Smoke Tests are quick check-ups to ensure basic functionality works before full deployment. They provide a final layer of confidence before release.

When it comes to choosing the tools for your project, the market offers many great tools. Yet, this abundance of choice can make it challenging to select the right solution. I can recommend to consider several key factors when considering various options:

  • Existing Infrastructure. Does the tool integrate well with your current tech stack?

  • Team Expertise. How familiar is your team with different tools?

  • Project Requirements. What specific features do you need for your project?

  • Scalability. Can the tool handle your project’s growth as it evolves?

  • Cost. Does the tool fit your budget?

With these factors in mind, here are some popular CI/CD tools to consider:

  • Jenkins is highly customizable and widely used, though it might be challenging to set up.

  • GitLab CI/CD is an easy-to-use platform that supports many features out-of-the-box.

  • CircleCI is a good choice, known for its speed and ease of use.

  • Travis CI is perfect for open-source projects and integrates well with GitHub.

  • Azure DevOps offers a comprehensive suite of tools for CI/CD and integrates seamlessly with other Azure services.

  • GitHub Actions is a convenient option for projects hosted on GitHub.

What advice would you give to a team or organization looking to adopt CI/CD practices for the first time?

Transitioning to CI/CD can be very rewarding, but it’s important to approach it strategically. I can recommend the following:

  • Start Small. Begin with automating the most critical and repetitive tasks, such as building and unit testing. This way, you’ll get comfortable with CI/CD processes without feeling overwhelmed and gain experience and confidence to tackle more complex automation.

  • Invest in Learning. As with any other tech strategy, CI/CD requires understanding. Make sure the team understands CI/CD concepts and tools and invest in training or workshops.

  • Choose the Right Tools. The right tool makes the difference. Select tools that fit well with your existing workflow and team skills.

  • Automate Testing. To develop high-quality software, you need a robust testing strategy. Prioritize writing and automating tests throughout your pipeline to maintain high code standards.

  • Iterate and Improve. CI/CD is a journey, not a destination. Regularly review and refine your CI/CD pipeline based on team feedback and performance.

  • Monitor and Maintain. The pipeline requires monitoring. Keep an eye on its performance and address any issues promptly to maintain smooth operation.

  • Foster a Culture of Collaboration. Collaboration is the key to a successful development process. Encourage developers, testers, and operations to work closely together to achieve seamless integration and delivery.

To sum it up

CI/CD pipelines are must-have tools in modern software development, if you’re looking for ways to deliver high-quality, reliable software to your users faster and with fewer headaches. By automating repetitive tasks, integrating continuous testing, and enabling seamless deployments, pipelines empower development teams to iterate faster, reduce risks, and maintain consistency across environments.