Continuous integration is the best way to ensure that all code is systematically designed and developed. Each feature follows a predictable outline while being mapped under a larger process flow. This process of keeping code systematically ready at all times helps development teams stay focused during key launches.
When projects are managed poorly, the end product is of lower quality. There are also several bugs post-launch and more resources need to be dedicated after the product is developed. That’s why it’s important to use the best continuous delivery tools in the marketplace to align all teams under one umbrella.
What’s key here is technology. The technology being used to facilitate CI is critical, as it can define the journey of the development of the software. There are several important tools that are being used in the industry right now, which are providing much needed compatibility during the process.
CI tools can also automate key tasks that may take up significant resources, as well. Backtracking can become much simpler and easier to maintain with the help of CI tools. Here are some of the best CI tools currently being used in the development space.
I – Travis CI
Travis CI is a robust continuous integration tool that is designed for scale-driven development. Essentially, it automates the process of software testing and deployment. Developers can design more feature rich applications and test them simultaneously by using the tool. Some of the largest companies in the world leverage the capabilities of Travis, when launching new products and features.
One of the main advantages to using Travis is its extensive documentation and library repositories available online. It’s a free tool that can be easily adapted to any development project. With extended features such as pull request verification automation, integration with third-party tools, and API and CMD tools, it’s a handy CI system.
II – Jenkins CI
Jenkins is one of the most widely used CI tools and is popular among most development communities. It has multiple easy-to-use plugins that makes the job of automating CI easier. Developers can also build projects, run tests, and detect bugs in real time with the help of Jenkins.
A key benefit of using Jenkins is its pre-built packages for Windows, Linux, and OS X. This makes it much simpler to execute complex installation processes. There are custom plugins designed by community members to streamline the process of CI, as well. It also works as a standalone CI server, which aids in continuous delivery across all projects.
III – Circle CI
When it comes to top CI tools, Circle CI ranks among the best of them. It provides end-to-end integration of all CI-related processes. Developers can take advantage of the plug and play model of Circle and design custom integrations with Maven, Gradle, and other premier tools. Circle also works with Django, Nose, and RSpec giving developers a more robust CI environment.
The platform ensures that all dependencies are installed in an isolated environment to provide maximum resource utilization for your next project. Developers can also integrate Circle directly with Google Cloud or AWS to get started quicker.
The best CI tool to use depends on the type of features that are necessary for your build. Whether that’s customer support, a large community, or extensive features/plugins, your CI requirement will vary greatly.
CI tools can shorten the time to deployment significantly while reducing dependencies on third-party vendors to perform comprehensive tests. Development teams that require customized assistance may also choose to opt for premium versions of the listed tools. Depending on the goals of the project, an appropriate CI tool can be leveraged for streamlining the development process.
