What is the purpose of In-Merge Request Pipelines in GitLab?

In-Merge Request Pipelines are specifically designed to validate proposed changes in a merge request before they are merged into the main branch. When a merge request is created, it represents a set of changes that need to be assessed for quality, compatibility, and functionality. The In-Merge Request Pipeline runs in the context of the merge request, allowing it to test not only the changes introduced by the merge request but also how these changes interact with the current state of the target branch.

This validation process helps to ensure that the proposed changes do not introduce new bugs or break existing functionality. By running tests, performing static analysis, or executing any defined checks, teams can have confidence in the integrity of the code before it gets merged. This approach is essential in collaborative workflows where multiple changes may be happening simultaneously, ensuring the overall stability and quality of the codebase.

The other options, while relevant in their contexts, do not accurately describe the primary function of In-Merge Request Pipelines:

• Automatically merging code changes is not the goal of these pipelines, as they focus on validation, not execution or action.

• Deleting unmerged changes automatically is not a function of these pipelines, and managing unmerged changes is handled through other processes within GitLab.

• Grant