What role does Continuous Integration play in testing?

Continuous Integration (CI) plays a vital role in testing by enabling frequent code changes and automated testing. In a CI environment, developers integrate their code changes into a shared repository regularly, often multiple times a day. This frequent integration allows for immediate feedback on the new code, as automated tests are run against the newly integrated code.

The benefits of this process are significant. By running tests automatically after each integration, teams can quickly identify issues and defects, thereby catching bugs early in the development cycle. Continuous Integration fosters a culture where testing becomes part of the development workflow rather than a separate phase at the end of the project.

This proactive approach to testing helps maintain software quality and empowers teams to deliver more reliable software at a faster pace. Automated tests help ensure that new changes do not break existing functionality, which is a key principle in agile development methodologies.

The other options do not align with the fundamental goals of Continuous Integration, as CI is designed to support ongoing testing rather than limit it. For instance, it does not involve delaying testing until after deployment or reducing the need for documentation; rather, it enhances both testing practices and documentation processes.