CI vs continuous delivery vs continuous deployment?

Definition:

Continuous integration checks changes frequently through automated builds and tests. Continuous delivery keeps a verified release ready for deployment, while continuous deployment automatically sends qualifying changes to production. The distinction is the production release decision, not whether any automation exists.

Key points:

• CI builds and checks changes automatically.

• Continuous delivery keeps a tested release ready; production release may be manual.

• Continuous deployment automatically releases changes that pass the required checks.

• A manual approval gate can be part of continuous delivery without undermining the value of automated validation.

Interview point:

• Explain the project's actual release gates and rollback mechanism instead of using CI/CD as one vague term.