How does GitLab facilitate continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD)?

GitLab facilitates continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) by offering built-in CI/CD functionality within its platform. This integration includes features such as automated testing, build, and deployment pipelines that are directly incorporated into the GitLab environment. Users can define the stages of their CI/CD processes using a .gitlab-ci.yml file, allowing them to automate the software development lifecycle seamlessly.

Having these features built into the platform streamlines the workflow, enabling developers to automatically run tests on their code, build applications, and deploy them as soon as changes meet specified criteria. This enables teams to accelerate delivery, improve software quality, and respond quickly to changes or issues that arise during development.

In contrast, separating code from project management does not inherently support CI/CD practices; CI/CD needs to operationalize code changes without silos. External integrations could enhance CI/CD processes, but GitLab emphasizes a comprehensive in-platform solution to provide a unified experience. Relying solely on manual deployment processes runs counter to the principles of CI/CD, which is centered on automation and efficiency.