Definition “Build Environment” What is a build environment?
The build environment is used to compile the source code in software and application development. As part of the build, a complete and executable software is created. The result is an executable program.
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In the build environment, software and its dependencies are assembled into a executable construct.
The build environment is for central compilation, but not for the execution of the source code. It is not mandatory that the build environment must be similar to the productive environment. But it must provide the dependencies required for compilation.
The term build itself refers on the one hand to the process of creating a complete and executable software and on the other hand to the result of this process, i.e. the executable programs and applications as well as their resources. According to them, both the process and the finished version are called the build.
Almost every software and application consists of several source files. Before their execution, it is required that they be transformed into an executable construct. This is where the build process comes in. In most cases, the assignment of a unique build number is common practice for marking individual builds.
An exception are open-source software solutions where end users start the build process themselves. The build number can take the form of a simple and consecutive numbering. However, it often also contains the version number of the sources used.
For example, a more complex build number is the build number used by Google for Android apps. At the beginning is the letter that corresponds to the first letter of the code name of the respective Android version (for example, O like Oreo). In the further course, in second place is a letter code for marking the version status of the source text. After the subsequent date indication, a code follows at the last place, which is designed continuously and sequentially for each individual build process within the same version and with the same date indication.
A build and its flow
The focus of every build is compiling the source material. The sources are typically written in programming languages that require the compilation step (e.g. C) or at least allow it (e.g. Python or Java). The build process primarily involves the provision of appropriate as well as up-to-date sources.
Automation tools also play a major role in the flow of a build. For example, steps such as downloading a source archive or providing the source can be automated. Build tools also serve to ensure consistency in the framework conditions between different builds.
The automation tool “make”, which originates from the Unix universe, is a frequently used program. Its task is to read a configuration file (usually named Makefile), which contains detailed instructions for the steps of the build process. In this case, it is possible to make each step dependent on exact conditions, for example on the timeliness of required files.
In this way, for example, it is possible to ensure that all steps required for a build are carried out in the correct sequence. Furthermore, this serves to reduce additional effort if the results or partial results of preceding build steps are still current during the further run.
In addition to this mother of build tools, various derivatives for different programming languages can be found on the market. A build tool that has long established itself as the standard for Java as well as other languages from the JVM environment is Maven. A standard for application development in Android is Gradle. Through various plug-ins, its range of functions can be extended beyond the JVM environment.
Basically, there is a separate build tool for almost every language. Or there are specialized plug-ins that build on an existing build tool. Similar to the choice of programming languages or editors or operating systems, there is therefore a large selection. There is often no consensus among developers about the selection and suitability of the build tools.
The end of the build process (partially automated by tools) is marked by the local installation of the generated application (if it is intended for use directly on the target system) or the packing of the files for export.
Importance of the build environment in the process of software development
To better understand the build environment, it is important to consider it in the context of other environments or environments that are relevant in the context of software development.
Basically, the development environment, the staging environment and the productive environment can be distinguished. These can be supplemented by numerous other environments and steps. Often a test environment is added. The environments in software development are complemented by a quality assurance environment.
The development environment presents a kind of working version of the software or application, which is located on a secure server or local computer. The staging environment is used to test the applications under realistic conditions and relies on components similar to the release version. The productive environment serves the use of the program in the directly intended purpose at the customer.
Productive and staging environment correspond largely to each other whenever possible. In the productive environment, there are ideally no more changes by the developers. The possibly supplemented quality assurance environment should also be as similar as possible to the productive environment. In this optional environment, errors or bugs in the code should be identified and fixed.
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