What does an automation typically define in the continuous delivery process?

In the continuous delivery process, automation primarily focuses on ensuring that there are consistent and reliable methods to verify the quality of the software being delivered. This is achieved through a set of tests designed to check various aspects of the code, including functionality, performance, security, and compatibility. By defining a rigorous testing automation, teams can quickly detect and address issues early in the development cycle, which ultimately enhances the overall quality of the product before it is deployed to production environments.

Automation of tests plays a crucial role in assisting developers by saving time and reducing human error during the testing phases. In the context of continuous delivery, where frequent and reliable releases are essential, having automated tests allows for immediate feedback on code changes. This aligns perfectly with the goals of continuous integration and continuous delivery, where maintaining high quality is essential for a smooth deployment process.

The other concepts, such as complex workflows, collections of metadata items, or approval processes, certainly play a role in the broader scope of continuous delivery, but they do not focus specifically on the core objective of maintaining and ensuring quality through testing automation. Thus, the set of tests to ensure quality represents the most fitting definition of what automation typically encompasses in this context.