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

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

Software Build Best Practices

Following Software Build Best Practices helps ensure that your development environment is always in a state to build.

Software Build Table of Contents

Software Build Build automation is the process of combining all the steps necessary to compile the source code into build artifacts into a one step process. This can include many different types of tasks depending on the technologies involved.

Agile Continuous Integration Agile Continuous Integration naturally supports the Agile Development process of small and frequent releases. Continuous Integration, CI, is the process of building your application on every new source code check-in. Although, considered a relatively new idea, the concept behind CI has been around for as long as development teams have been writing code.

Automated Builds Automated Build Process - Automating your software build process is a fundamental step in maturing your software development process. The only way to accurately predict build results, ensure build reproducibility and guarantee minimal development down time due to build issues is to fully automate the build process.

Build Automation Build Automation is the key to implementing a successful Agile development methodology. In its basic form The Build is the conversion of source code into binaries. However, there is much more to building software than just compiling code.

Continuous Integration Continuous Integration, CI, is the process of building your application on every new source code check in. Although, considered a relatively new idea, the concept behind CI has been around for as long as development teams have been writing code. CI is an integral part of Software Configuration Management, SCM.

CruiseControl CruiseControl is an open source tool setup specifically to perform continuous integration software builds. This page is high level overview of CC and its functionality and benefits. Software build tools like CC are an integral part of your Software Configuration Management System.

CruiseControl.Net CruiseControl.Net is an open source tool that facilitates the integration of software builds. This page is an overview of the CC.Net Tool and Process.

Maven Maven is a tool that can now be used for building and managing any Java-based project.

Software Build Best Practices Software Build Best Practices are the procedures and processes that ensure software build integrity, repeatability and reproducibility. Best Practices are practices and techniques that are the most effective way of ensuring repeatability of a process. Build Best Practices are an integral part of Software Configuration Management, SCM.