What does continuous integration primarily refer to?

Continuous integration primarily refers to the practice of frequently merging code changes into a shared repository. This approach allows teams to detect errors more quickly because integration occurs as soon as developers make changes. By regularly integrating and testing code changes, any issues can be identified and resolved immediately, rather than accumulating and causing larger problems later in the development process.

Continuous integration also facilitates collaboration among developers, as everyone works within the same shared repository. This process enhances the overall software quality and reduces the complexity of integrating parts of the project developed by different team members over time. The aim is to keep the software in a constant state of readiness for production through automated builds and tests triggered with each merge.

The other options focus on aspects of development and collaboration but do not encapsulate the core principle of continuous integration as effectively as frequent code merging. Ongoing collaboration between team members and regularly updating software documentation are important practices in software development, but they are not the defining characteristics of continuous integration. Automating testing procedures is also vital, but it is part of the broader continuous integration process rather than being its sole focus.