Can you describe the programming methodology known as Continuous Integration?
This technical question asks you to define a process used in your profession. As a back end developer, you can anticipate that most of the questions you will be asked will be technical or operational. The best way to prepare for these is to review the terminology, processes, and other aspects of your job before the interview. Also, research the company you are interviewing with to determine the practices they use to create the products they develop. This will help you align your answer to their current processes.
"Continuous Integration, or CI, is a development methodology in which developers collaborate by adding their code to a central repository. Every time a developer does this, the entire code goes through an automated build, and the tools identify any errors or bugs which need to be addressed. This methodology is very similar to Agile programming."
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Anonymous Answer
Continuous integration (CI) is the practice of merging sub-branches being worked on by individual developers into the main branch of a remote repository whenever a commit is pushed to the sub-branch and also regularly pulling the latest version of the main branch into individual developer environment. When a new commit is pushed automated tools are used to run tests and check the build passes. This practice ensures that local and remote codebases are synchronized and minimizes potential merge conflicts.
Marcie's Feedback
Great! Have you ever used this type of programming methodology before in real life? If so, consider mentioning this so the interviewer knows you have personal experience in this area. Alternatively, you might discuss why you think this appears to be a good methodology to use or not (i.e., give your personal opinion about the methodology and support it with facts or compare it to other methodologies).
