Can you explain the concept of continuous integration and how it is implemented in a DevOps environment?

In the context of DevOps, continuous integration is the practice of frequently integrating code changes into a shared repository to ensure that the software build is always in a functional state. This process involves automated testing and validation to detect and fix integration errors early in the development cycle.

In a DevOps environment, continuous integration is typically implemented using tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI, or TeamCity. These tools automate the process of building and testing code changes as soon as they are committed, providing immediate feedback to developers and allowing for rapid iteration and deployment of software.