Continuous Integration Impact on Software Development Quality

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Published: 2025-09-21
Keywords:
continuous integration, software quality, automated testing, development practices, deployment efficiency, quality metrics

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Chen Chen
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
Samantha L. Brooks
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA

Abstract

Continuous Integration (CI) has emerged as a fundamental practice in modern software development, significantly transforming the way development teams approach code integration, testing, and quality assurance. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the impact of continuous integration on software development quality through systematic examination of empirical studies and industry practices. The research explores how CI practices influence various quality metrics including defect rates, code maintainability, testing efficiency, and overall project success rates. Through analysis of multiple studies spanning both open-source and commercial software projects, this investigation reveals that organizations implementing CI practices experience substantial improvements in software quality metrics, with defect detection rates increasing by up to 40% and deployment frequency improving by 200% in some cases. The study examines technical challenges, implementation strategies, and organizational factors that contribute to successful CI adoption. Furthermore, the research investigates the relationship between CI practices and productivity outcomes, revealing significant correlations between automated testing integration and reduced development cycle times. The findings demonstrate that while CI implementation requires substantial initial investment in infrastructure and process redesign, the long-term benefits in terms of quality improvement, risk reduction, and development efficiency justify the adoption costs. This comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights for software development organizations considering CI implementation and offers evidence-based recommendations for maximizing the quality benefits of continuous integration practices.

Article Details

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 3 (2025)

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Continuous Integration Impact on Software Development Quality. (2025). Journal of Sustainability, Policy, and Practice, 1(3), 69-77. http://schoalrx.com/index.php/jspp/article/view/27

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