How does Shadow Deployment work in MuleSoft?

Shadow Deployment in MuleSoft is designed to facilitate the safe introduction of new application versions. By allowing new versions to run alongside the current live version, it effectively minimizes the risk associated with deployments. This parallel execution ensures that the existing service continues to operate normally while the new version is being tested.

The primary advantage of this approach is that it enables developers to validate the functionality and performance of the new version in a production-like environment without disrupting the live application. This strategy also supports rollback options in case any issues are detected with the new release, thereby enhancing overall deployment safety.

In contrast, other options discuss processes that either involve manual steps or immediate replacements of the existing application, which do not align with the purpose of Shadow Deployment. Backup copies, while important in other contexts, are not a defining characteristic of this deployment method.