Software Build Best Practices
Software Build Best Practices
This page discusses the practices and processes
that allow for dependable and reproducible
software builds.
Using a secure and dedicated build server
- Eliminates unauthorized access to make
changes in the server configuration
- Reduces the risk the creation of
unknown build dependencies
- Reduces build time because the build is
not fighting other processes and application
for server resources
Fully Automate the Build Process
- Ensures repeatability and reproducibility
of the build process
- Eliminates risk of human error in the
build process
Daily full system builds
- Ensures that the full system is always in a
build-able state
- Allows for daily test runs on the daily
build
Continuous Integration builds
- Protects that the Daily full system build will
complete successfully
- Immediate success or failure feedback
of developer check-ins
On build completion, deploy and run unit
and smoke tests as part of your automation
- In addition to ensuring the system is
in a build-able state, this ensures the
system's runtime works
Building in a clean workspace
- Ensures no unexpected build or runtime
dependencies are created
Require all necessary files be checked-in
prior to the build
- Ensures that the required source and build
files are properly under source code control
- Helps with build reproducibility
Label the source code in each build with a
unique identifier
- Ensures every build is repeatable and
reproducible
Create a BOM, bill of materials, of the
source code versions for each build
- Visual confirmation of the source code
versions in the build
- Aids in developer debugging of builds
Create a build manifest of the build
artifacts
- Visual confirmation of build artifacts
Create and keep your build logs
- Builds an audit trail
- Debugging tool for builders and developers
Send build status emails
- Proactive build notification of success
or failure
Track release baselines
- Ensures reproducibility of software
release
Following Software Build Best Practices helps
ensure that your development environment is always
in a state to build.
Links
Software Build Best Practices