Which of the following best describes the purpose of Continuous Integration?

Continuous Integration (CI) plays a vital role in modern software development by emphasizing the importance of frequent testing to ensure software quality. The core idea behind CI is that developers regularly integrate their code changes into a shared repository, where automated builds and tests are run. This process allows teams to detect errors quickly, improve overall code quality, and reduce integration problems. By prioritizing frequent testing, CI helps maintain a stable codebase, enabling developers to address bugs and issues as soon as they arise, rather than letting them accumulate over time.

The focus on software quality through consistent testing is what sets Continuous Integration apart from other practices in software development. As teams adopt CI, they uncover a better understanding of how changes affect the application and can make necessary adjustments early in the development cycle, which ultimately leads to a more robust and reliable software product.