Continuous Development
What is continuous development?
Continuous Development is an approach where code is written, tested, and updated frequently and incrementally. Instead of waiting weeks or months for big updates, teams push small code changes regularly, sometimes multiple times a day. It is part of the broader DevOps lifecycle that helps teams move fast, reduce risks, and improve software continuously.
How Continuous Development is Used
To apply continuous development practice, teams adopt tools and practices that support automation, collaboration, and frequent integration. Here is how it typically works:
Version Control
Also known as source control, it is the practice of tracking and managing code changes. One of the most popular version control tools in use today is called Git.
Continuous Integration (CI)
Continuous integration tools help teams to automate the process of building and testing code changes. Teams can push code changes to version control multiple times a day. With each push CI tool can automatically build the code and run tests against the changes. This way, teams ensure issues are detected and fixed fast and features are released as they are ready.
Why Continuous Development Matters
Continuous Development adds value by making the software development process faster, safer, and more efficient. Teams can develop and release new features quickly without sacrificing quality. Frequent automated testing catches issues early, before they reach end users. It also improves collaboration, as each team member works on small, manageable changes that are easier to test, debug, and roll back.
In today’s fast-paced environment, Continuous Development is essential for delivering high-quality software and achieving a faster time to market.
