Which characteristic is typical of continuous integration processes?

Continuous integration (CI) processes emphasize the frequent integration of code changes into a shared repository. One of the fundamental characteristics of this practice is automated testing and validation of new code. Automated testing allows for immediate feedback on code quality and functionality whenever changes are made. This helps to identify issues early in the development process, significantly reducing the risk of bugs in the final product.

Automated testing ensures that, as developers continuously integrate and commit changes, the quality of the software remains high and that new additions do not break existing features. This contrasts starkly with manual testing, which is time-consuming and prone to human error, and it aligns with the overall goal of CI to streamline and speed up the development cycle while maintaining reliability.

By incorporating automated tests, teams can maintain a more efficient workflow, promote collaboration, and ensure that the codebase is always in a deployable state, which is a cornerstone of the DevOps and Agile methodologies commonly employed in modern software development practices.