Continuous testing is distinct in that, it is automated, and integrated into the development process. The tests that are automated are the same types of tests with which you're already familiar. They just run continuously. Our systems are becoming infinitely more complicated. It's impossible for us to keep track of changes. The only way to ensure expected functionality is to test every change as it's merged going back to those pipelines. Continuous testing exists within CI/CD or continuous integration, continuous delivery.
When we step back, modern software development doesn't matter what you're calling it. It could be modern applications, DevOps, cloud-native, whatever the flavor, the purpose is to accelerate delivery fast, safe delivery. How do you get better software to your customers faster and more reliably without exhausting your engineers? Part of how we accomplish that is CI/CD. CI/CD assumes thorough automated testing. Even the most simple implementation requires a robust test suite that can be run against code. Every time a developer commits changes. CI/CD provides an accelerated feedback loop. Developers receive immediate feedback because those automated tests and event integrations will fail before new code is actually merged.
This means that developers can shorten the development lifecycle and deploy features faster. CI/CD decreases interpersonal conflict. Automating processes and reducing friction between teams encourages a more collaborative work environment in which developers can do what they do best. Engineered novel solutions.
Now, anyone who's dealt with the impact of a problematic release can tell you how important it is that deployments go smoothly. CI/CD helps with that too. You'll hear people say that CI/CD continuous testing means engineers need to implement tests at every stage of the SDLC. Cool.
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