Neutral build
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In
A
In contrast,
When someone says a developer "broke the build", they are effectively saying that a developer checked in code which might very well have compiled (and hopefully also run properly) in their account, but does not compile (and therefore, cannot be run) in anyone else's account. This is typically due to additional developer-specific changes that were either not checked in, or (in the case of
Neutral builds are important for software development processes running at high loads with short schedules (see extreme programming, startup). Not having them means that any build that needs to be created for the software quality assurance department will use code that may be in the middle of major modifications, and which is therefore best left out of a build intended for independent validation – particularly a build being evaluated for possible release.
Hazards
Some obstacles to a reliable neutral build process are:
- Getting a consistent build automation system and set of project control files.
- Having the same operating system and tools setup as the development machines.
- Set up a checkout procedure that ensures all files are up to date. This may imply the additional task of integrating a version control systemwith the process.
- Decoupling the build process from specific IDEs.
- Setting up adequate feedback from the build system so that failed builds can be diagnosed.
- Convincing management of the benefit of automated builds.
Open-source examples
The following list gives some examples of software that has publicly available nightly and/or neutral builds.
- Arduino, a family of single-board microcontrollers[1]
- Atom, a text editor used primarily for computer programming[2]
- CyanogenMod, a custom ROM for Android-based devices[3]
- Firefox, a web browser[4]
- Media Player Classic, a media player[5]
- MuseScore, a program for writing music scores[6]
- RetroArch, an emulator for retro video game consoles[7]
- Simutrans, a transportation simulator[8]
- VLC media player, an open-source media player[9]
- WebKit, the web browser renderer used by Apple's Safari[10]
See also
References
- ^ "Software". www.arduino.cc. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
- ^ "A hackable text editor for the 21st Century". Atom. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
- ^ "Get.cm".
- ^ "Download and test future releases of Firefox for desktop, Android and iOS".
- ^ "Home · MPC-HC".
- ^ https://bintray.com/musescore/nightlies-linux
- ^ "RetroArch". www.retroarch.com. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
- ^ Community, An_dz & Simutrans. "Simutrans Nightly".
- ^ "VLC media player nightly builds". VideoLAN Organization. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
- ^ "WebKit Downloads".