Jenkins is a widely used open-source automation server that streamlines software development by automating tasks such building, testing, and deploying code. It plays an important role in continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD), helping teams identify issues early and deliver updates with confidence. Jenkins integrates with numerous tools and platforms, enabling complex workflows through customizable pipelines.
The name “Jenkins” emerged from a community vote in 2011 after a naming dispute with Oracle over the original project, Hudson. Its creator, Kohsuke Kawaguchi, proposed the name to evoke the image of a British butler, symbolizing a reliable assistant who manages repetitive development tasks while developers focus on higher-value work.
Interestingly, “Jenkins” is also a medieval diminutive of John, a name historically linked to service and dependability. The analogy to a butler embodies reliability, service and efficiency, which are core to Jenkins’ function in continuous integration and delivery pipelines.
