Free PMI-ACP® Exam Sample Question 79

A development team is using an eXtreme Programming (XP) development practice that frequently incorporates new and updated code into the project code repository. What technique is the development team using? 

A. Refactoring    
B. Pair programming    
C. Collective code ownership    
D. Continuous integration

Hint: All of the techniques listed as answers are used in XP, but only one of them involves the integration of the code into a constantly changing code base or repository.

Scroll down to see the answer below the image ...

Correct Answer: D

Answer and Explanations:

Answer A: Incorrect. Refactoring is the process of improving the design of the existing code without altering its external behavior or adding new functionality. One of the main goals of refactoring is to improve the efficiency of the code so that changes and new functionality required to implement future user stories can be easily applied to the existing codebase.

Answer B: Incorrect. In XP, the production code is written by pairs of programmers. One writes the code while the other reviews and catches issues that exist and improves the code. The pair changes roles often to detect issues early and to spread the knowledge about the system through the team effectively.

Answer C: Incorrect. Collective code ownership means that any programmer can amend or improve any part of the code at any time. This strategy leads to a higher level of quality and a greater amount of knowledge of the entire system across the team.

Answer D: Correct. Continuous integration is a development practice that requires developers to integrate code into a shared repository several times a day. When the new or altered code is checked into the code repository, automatic routines are run to ensure that all the code will work together and that it will all compile successfully.

Exam Reference: Agile Practice Guide, Project Management Institute Inc., 2017, Page(s) 56, 102, 151; Agile Project Management: Creating Innovative Products - 2nd Edition, Jim Highsmith, 2009, Continuous Integration