Build

Build

Build refers to the process of converting source code files into standalone software artifacts that can be run on a computer or any other device. This process is a crucial part of software development and involves several steps, including compilation, linking, and packaging.

Build Process

The build process typically involves the following steps:

• **Compilation**: The source code written in a high-level programming language is converted into machine code by a compiler.
• **Linking**: The compiled code is linked with various libraries and modules to create an executable file.
• **Packaging**: The executable file and other necessary files are packaged together to create a distributable software package.

Build Tools

Various tools are used to automate the build process. Some of the most commonly used build tools include:

• Make
• Apache Ant
• Maven
• Gradle
• CMake

Continuous Integration

In modern software development, the build process is often integrated with continuous integration (CI) systems. CI systems automatically build and test the software whenever changes are made to the source code repository. Popular CI tools include:

• Jenkins
• Travis CI
• CircleCI
• GitLab CI

Build Automation

Build automation is the process of automating the steps involved in the build process. This includes compiling the code, running tests, and packaging the software. Build automation tools help in reducing human error and increasing the efficiency of the build process.

Related Concepts

• Version control
• Software testing
• Deployment
• DevOps

See Also

• Software development
• Compilation
• Continuous integration
• Build automation
• Version control
• Software testing
• Deployment (software)
• DevOps