What is the primary purpose of Continuous Integration (CI) in software development?

The primary purpose of Continuous Integration (CI) in software development is to automate builds and tests to identify integration issues. In CI, developers frequently merge their code changes into a shared repository, where the changes are automatically built and tested. This process helps to detect errors quickly, enabling teams to address issues as they arise rather than accumulating them over time. By running automated tests and builds regularly, CI ensures that the software remains in a deployable state, thereby improving the overall quality and reliability of the codebase.

When developers integrate their code more frequently, it minimizes the "integration hell" that can occur when merging changes after long periods. This proactive approach also fosters collaboration among team members, as they can see how their work interacts with others' contributions in a timely manner. Ultimately, CI enables quicker feedback loops and helps teams to deliver better software faster.