Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate (KCNA)Cloud Native ArchitectureMedium

A team is implementing a CI/CD pipeline for their cloud-native application. They want to ensure that every code change undergoes automated testing, code quality checks, and then is automatically deployed to a staging environment for further validation. Only after successful staging tests and manual approval should it proceed to production. Which principle of CI/CD does the 'automated deployment to staging' and 'manual approval for production' part primarily represent?

  1. AContinuous Delivery
  2. BContinuous Integration
  3. CContinuous Monitoring
  4. DContinuous Deployment
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A. Continuous Delivery

Continuous Delivery ensures that code changes are automatically built, tested, and prepared for release to production, including automated deployment to staging, but requires a manual step for the final production deployment. Continuous Deployment would automate the final step as well.

Why the other options are wrong

  • B. Continuous Integration focuses on merging code frequently and running automated tests.
  • C. Continuous Monitoring is about observing the application in production, not the deployment process itself.
  • D. Continuous Deployment automates the entire process, including deployment to production without manual approval.

Continuous Delivery (CD)

A software development practice where code changes are automatically built, tested, and prepared for release to production, allowing for frequent, reliable releases at any time, typically with a manual approval gate for production deployment.

  • Automates pipeline up to production readiness.
  • Requires manual approval for production deployment.
  • Enables frequent, reliable releases.
  • Superset of Continuous Integration.

Memory trick: CI is building, CD is delivering to the door, and CDep is pushing it inside.

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