Jul 15, 2020
Implementing a C++ CI/CD Pipeline
Frank Moyer
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For good reason, continuous integration (CI) and continuous delivery (CD) are at the forefront of modern software development practices. These concepts are dedicated to helping teams create solid QA testing practices and accessible version control. This makes all the difference in efficiency during a development cycle.
So what is a CI/CD pipeline? We’ve seen its implementation in software development and DevOps environments, and it’s safe to say that it’s a good direction for mobile application development. With a growing demand for better software development practices, adopting a CI/CD pipeline sounds like the type of innovation to help a company stand out.
In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of this testing process, including how it works and how it can benefit mobile-first enterprises.
CI/CD Pipeline in Mobile App Development
If you’re looking for the best way to improve your mobile app development cycles, consider implementing a CI/CD pipeline as soon as possible.
What is Continuous Integration?
Continuous integration (CI) uses an automated pipeline to ensure that all the code changes are sent to a repository accessible to the entire team. It also comes with special tests to check the integrity of the code as a way to avoid bugs or faults in the system. This automation of the building and testing processes can save some valuable time.
What is Continuous Delivery?
Continuous delivery (CD) expands upon continuous integration by reducing the time spent editing code. You can easily introduce changes safely. This is entirely thanks to the well-tested and automated pipeline that all previous code commits are part of.
Now any new changes are added into production without the risk of ruining the entire project. Additions come with the risk of introducing bugs, but with solid safety checks and tests, everything can be handled before the code gets added to the production version.
CI/CD Process Explained
When continuous integration and delivery occur, it comprises a multi-step process. The main things you’ll need to consider are four phases:
- Source
- Build
- Test
- Deploy
These elements all make up the integral parts of a CI/CD pipeline. For a mobile app development company, a CI/CD pipeline should contain variations of the above phases.
Tests Used in a CI/CD Pipeline
CI/CD testing is essential, especially when you want to deliver a bug-free code compilation.
- Unit Tests: These tests are solely dedicated to verifying the behavior of components or individual functions within your mobile app’s code. They are quite common and are usually automated to run on every new code commit. This helps with capturing errors and defects in your software quickly.
- Integration tests: Integration tests are designed to verify the behavior of the mobile app software. They test the interactions between different components and systems to help ensure that they work together accurately. Integration tests are usually automated and run following the merge of code changes into the main branch of a repository.
- Acceptance Tests: This is another test dedicated to the end user’s experience (UX). This test checks if the software can meet the expectations and requirements that a typical app user will have. In other words, gesture control, app icon placement, and responsiveness will fall under this test. Acceptance tests are usually manual to mirror the typical human experience and are completed following the deployment of the mobile app to a staging environment.
- Performance Tests: This is a vital part of the CI/CD pipeline and a primary reason for the mobile app development process. It tests your software’s stability, scalability, and speed to see how well it performs. With a performance test, you can measure how well your app can handle any changes under various load conditions.
- Security Tests: These tests eliminate any potential vulnerabilities in your software. It’s an integral part of your app development, but these tests help ensure that your code is up to standards regularly. The other benefit of security tests is that they’re designed to ensure user data is completely safe.
Why CI/CD is the Future of Mobile App Development
Mobile app development has changed the game for technology. How people interact with their devices today heavily depends on the speed, security, and stability of the apps they favor. Because of this, many developers are under significant pressure to deliver within shrinking time frames. With CI/CD, automating and streamlining significant aspects of the software delivery process is more viable. This increasingly makes it the best way forward for mobile app enterprises.
CI/CD can significantly reduce development time and cost while improving final product quality. It does this by eliminating the need for manual intervention. Organizations can lower the risk of human error by automating the testing and deployment processes.
Along the way, developers will have an easier time handling deadlines for new updates and features. Ultimately, CI/CD creates a ripple effect that results in higher user engagement, a shorter time-to-market rate, and significantly higher user revenue.
The mobile app market is highly competitive today, and businesses that can deliver new features faster than their competitors will fare better. By automating the development process, developers can focus on creating innovative features and improving user experiences rather than spending time on repetitive and time-consuming tasks. This can result in a more creative, productive, and engaged development team, creating better outcomes for developers and users.
Benefits of a CI/CD Pipeline to Mobile Enterprises
There are several benefits of using a CI/CD pipeline for app development, which include:
- Better Software Quality: Automated testing in CI/CD will help create a stress-free way to detect bugs in your development process. In turn, this eliminates the risk of encountering these bugs in production. The final version of your app will be glitch-free for users, eliminating a loss of revenue due to downtimes and bugs.
- Improved Collaboration: CI/CD testing removes a fair bit of human interference and significantly removes frustrating aspects of development. Instead, teams can be sure of what they are working on and how it will affect the final product.
- Better Scalability: During development, automation can help an organization quickly scale its efforts. This is especially useful for mobile app dev teams when an app receives increased demand during peak seasons or when new products are on the verge of release.
- More Reliable Releases: A CI/CD pipeline can make releases more dependable and predictable. This reduces the likelihood of unexpected issues occurring during the deployment process and aids in ensuring that the software functions as intended.
- Reduced Time-to-market: With CI/CD testing, development teams can deliver new features and updates more quickly and with greater quality. This enables businesses to respond to changing market demands and remain competitive.
How Kobiton Simplifies the Transition to a CI/CD Pipeline
Kobiton is a testing platform engineered explicitly for mobile app development teams. As a mobile-first platform, transitioning your team into CI/CD will significantly increase convenience, especially in testing.
Kobiton provides solid tests designed to mirror real-world applications. It uses real devices for testing and creates an environment for automation at scale. With a simple interface, onboarding your team won’t be a problem. If you’re looking for assistance with testing your mobile app, contact Kobiton, and a member of our team would be happy to help.
Final thoughts
A CI/CD pipeline is essential to a successful mobile app development strategy. By automating the process of testing and deployments, you can speed up your release cycles and improve the quality of your apps. There are many benefits to using a CI/CD pipeline, but perhaps the most important is that it allows you to respond quickly to changes in user requirements.
Now is the time to switch if you’re not already using a CI/CD pipeline. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you simplify your mobile app development strategy with our powerful platform.
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