Definition:

Continuous Integration (CI) is a software development practice where developers frequently merge their code changes into a central repository, triggering automated builds and tests. This practice helps detect integration issues early, ensures high code quality, and streamlines the development process by promoting early bug detection and faster feedback loops.

Example:

A development team employs continuous integration by having every commit automatically run through a suite of tests. If any test fails, the team is immediately alerted, enabling quick fixes and maintaining the stability of the main codebase.