What is the primary goal of continuous integration in software development?

The primary goal of continuous integration in software development is to frequently integrate code changes into a shared repository. This practice helps teams ensure that new code is regularly merged and tested alongside existing code, which facilitates early detection of integration issues and promotes a healthier code base. By integrating code changes frequently, developers benefit from immediate feedback on the impact of their changes, enabling them to address problems more quickly and maintain a consistent development pace.

Moreover, continuous integration generally involves automated testing, which ensures that new changes do not break existing functionality. This routine integration helps streamline collaboration among team members and reduces the potential for large, complex merges later in the development cycle, which can become difficult to manage. Ultimately, continuous integration supports a more efficient development process and enhances overall software quality.