Continuous Delivery or CD is an underlying approach to software development that involves creating the software successfully in shorter cycles and small batches. This ensures its ready availability and ability to release it whenever required. It accelerates the speed and increases the frequency of software production.
This terminology is primarily used in the software development industry. It refers to the productive implementation of the continuous deployment process. Continuous deployment reduces the time gap between writing a code for software and releasing it live.
The tool’s primary purpose is to enhance software engineering efficiency and productivity.
What Is Continuous Delivery or CD?
Continuous Delivery refers to a software development company’s capability to provide its clients with fast and seamless product updates without any unnecessary delays. The updates can include all types of new features, improvements, bug fixes, enhanced designs, and advances in user interfaces. It means the software is set and ready to be released within a few minutes’ notice.
Difference Between Continuous Delivery and Continuous Deployment
Continuous Delivery is an organization’s capability of frequently deploying software changes and updates. It is a supporting process for continuous deployment. The actual deployment is at your discretion and choice.
On the other hand, the continuous deployment includes the very act of deployment frequently and automatically. This may consist of several updates or changes in just a single day.
In essence, deployment cannot be possible without continuous delivery.
Building Blocks of Continuous Delivery
There are five basic founding principles of continuous delivery.
- Focus on Quality, not Quantity
- Work in Small Batches
- People Solve Problems, and Computers Perform Tasks
- Follow a Pattern of Continuous Improvement
- Responsibility is Universal
Benefits of Continuous Delivery
Continuous Delivery is a significantly helpful tool. It can help a software company and its stakeholder in several ways. Some of its key benefits include the following:
Accelerates Feedback
Continuous Delivery is highly beneficial for product managers. Regular updates speed up the process of getting feedback and making improvements. Every update provides an opportunity to get a new user response. The more frequently you send updates, the more frequent chances you have for feedback.
Reduces Risk
With shorter feedback loops, it helps reduce the risks of uncertainty. No point in making software updates if the clients are unsatisfied with them. Frequent feedback opportunities provide real-time information and enable you to keep on the right track without losing focus.
Save Resources
Like any business entity, software companies also value their resources. Nothing in this world comes for free. Without feedback, software engineers are deaf and blind to the client’s reactions to their creations.
As a result, they may end up making the wrong products and updates. Subsequently, the loss of valuable resources like time, energy, and investment is unavoidable. Continuous delivery ensures regular feedback and helps you produce the right products without wasting resources.
Better Products
Practical client input at all levels helps software developers create products matching clients’ requirements.
Any shifts and changes in the client preferences can be identified through the regular feedback mechanism of Continuous Delivery. Hence, adaptation to new preferences is ensured. The product quality improves due to small batch production and keeps the client and the team happier.
Faster Time to Market
Continuous delivery allows software engineers to market their products at a greater speed. It helps them remain active and ready to respond quickly to competitors’ moves.
With a code always ready and complete, the team can release the software or update it to the end-user manually at a few minutes’ notice.