A university's IT department uses a version control-based process for its system development and enhancement.

A scratch org is a dedicated, short term Salesforce environment that the consultant can useto test the new features they have configured in a version control-based process. A scratch org is a source-driven and disposable deployment of Salesforce code and metadata. A scratch org is fully configurable, allowing the consultant to emulate differentSalesforce editions and features. A Developer Edition org, a full sandbox, and a partial copy sandbox are not dedicated, short term Salesforce environments that can be used in a version control-based process. References:

https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.sfdx_dev.meta/sfdx_dev/sfdx_dev_scratch_orgs.htm

https://trailhead.salesforce.com/en/content/learn/modules/scratch-orgs