Final answer:
Continuous Integration (CI) is a software development practice involving frequent code integration and testing, aiming to detect errors quickly. Benefits include fewer integration issues and increased team communication, while possible downsides include the requirement for robust testing and automation frameworks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Definition of Continuous Integration
Continuous Integration (CI) is a software development practice where developers frequently integrate their code changes into a central repository, ideally several times a day. Each integration is verified by an automated build and automated tests to detect integration errors as quickly as possible. This practice encourages developers to share code and unit tests by merging their changes into a shared version control repository after every small task completion.
Pros and Problems of Continuous Integration
One of the prominent advantages of CI is the reduction of integration issues, which allows development teams to deliver software more rapidly. By consistently integrating and testing changes, teams can detect errors early, which reduces the long-term costs of software development and maintenance. Additionally, CI improves transparency and encourages more frequent communication among team members.
However, CI can also pose some challenges. It requires a strong suite of test cases and a culture of frequent, small commits. Without these, the benefits of CI may not be realized. Furthermore, CI demands a reliable build system and robust automation, which can be an overhead for some teams, especially initially. If not properly managed, the integration process might generate new errors or overheads that can hinder the development process.