Continuous Delivery (CD) is the practice of delivering feature increments immediately to customers, often through small batches of work and automation technology. It ensures that software updates are frequent, reliable, and deployable at any time without manual intervention.
Key Aspects of Continuous Delivery
- Automated Deployment Pipelines – Ensures rapid, consistent, and error-free releases.
- Small, Frequent Releases – Reduces risk and enables faster feedback.
- Ensures Software is Always Deployable – Any version in the pipeline can be released safely.
- Supports Agile & DevOps – Enables iterative development and continuous customer feedback.
Continuous Delivery vs. Continuous Deployment
| Practice | Description |
|---|---|
| Continuous Integration (CI) | Merges code frequently and runs automated tests. |
| Continuous Delivery (CD) | Ensures software is always in a releasable state but may require manual approval for deployment. |
| Continuous Deployment | Fully automates the release process, pushing updates to production without manual intervention. |
Example Scenarios
E-Commerce Platform
A retail website deploys small feature updates daily without disrupting the shopping experience.
Mobile App Development
A fitness tracking app releases weekly enhancements using automated testing and deployment.
Financial Services
A banking software system uses CD pipelines to deploy security patches and compliance updates frequently.
Why Continuous Delivery Matters
- Reduces Time to Market – Speeds up software delivery and competitive advantage.
- Improves Software Quality – Frequent updates minimize defects and technical debt.
- Enhances Customer Experience – Enables rapid feedback and feature improvements.
- Increases Deployment Reliability – Automation reduces the risk of failed releases.
See also: DevOps, Agile Development, Continuous Integration (CI), Release Management.