Description: The Artifact Lifecycle in the context of a continuous integration pipeline refers to the various stages that an artifact, such as a binary file or software package, goes through from its creation to its eventual retirement. This cycle includes phases such as build, test, deploy, and maintain, each of which is crucial for ensuring the quality and functionality of the software. During the build phase, the source code is compiled, and the necessary artifacts are generated. Subsequently, in the test phase, various validations are performed to ensure that the software meets the established requirements. Deployment involves delivering the artifact to a production environment, where it becomes available to end users. Finally, maintenance encompasses managing updates and bug fixes until the artifact is deemed obsolete and retired. This cycle is fundamental in agile development and DevOps, as it enables continuous and efficient software delivery, minimizing risks and improving collaboration among teams. Understanding the artifact lifecycle is essential for optimizing development processes and ensuring that software products are of high quality and can quickly adapt to changing market needs.
