What is a requirement when using the CodePipeline in a DevOps environment?

When using CodePipeline in a DevOps environment, it's essential to establish at least two stages in the pipeline. This requirement reflects the fundamental nature of a continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) process, which involves multiple steps in the software development lifecycle. These stages typically include source, build, test, and deploy phases, which are crucial for automating workflows and ensuring that code updates are efficiently integrated and delivered.

Having at least two stages allows developers to implement testing and validation processes between the various phases. For example, after code is built, it should be tested before deployment to ensure that the application behaves as expected and is stable. This multilayered approach is vital for minimizing errors and improving the overall quality of software releases.

In contrast, other options suggest constraints on the number and type of stages that would not align with the best practices of a robust CI/CD pipeline. For instance, a pipeline with only one stage or requiring all stages to be manual would defeat the purpose of automation and hinder the seamless delivery of applications. Automating the stages also suggests the need for unnecessary manual intervention, thereby limiting efficiency and speed essential to modern DevOps practices.