Build Automation Tools

Build Automation Tools Guide

A build script is used to compile source code into machine code during the software development lifecycle. This is where build automation tools function.

Completed code will be integrated to a shared environment. It will interact with the other components of the software built by developers. Before integrating the code, it is necessary to guarantee that the newly introduced code will not have a negative impact on the work other developers within the team have done.

In most cases, build automation happens via a scripting language. This allows developers to link processes and modules inside the compilation process. We can divide the scripting process into various tasks, including testing, documentation, distribution of binary software code, and compilation.

Build automation software allows certain repeatable tasks that are commonly performed during the software development process to be automated. The tasks are typically simple and repeatable. Examples include running automated tests or compiling source code.

Software testing products and build automation software typically work well together. Integration is also possible with IDEs, version control systems, bug tracking tools, and Platform as a Service providers. You can divide build automation into three lesser categories. They are configuration management, continuous integration, and other build automation.

Build automation typically depends on standard IDE processes that are repeatable and used for compiling source code into binary code. These processes may be used to compress binary code, do packaging, run automated tests, create installers, or update information so it exists in a central repository.

Build automation plays a vital role in DevOps. It makes it possible to create a continuous delivery model while establishing best practices. The result is a more flexible relationship between IT operators and development.

Features of Build Automation Tools

• Scheduling: Build automation software allows users to schedule builds and tasks so that they can execute specific procedures without manual input. The user can set a specific time or certain intervals for the build process to run automatically, ensuring that crucial tasks are performed on time.
• Source Code Control Integration: Build automation software integrates with source code control systems, allowing a developer to manage source code from any location. This feature eliminates the need for manual intervention when managing source code, automating tedious steps in the development process.
• Compilation of Programs: Build automation software is able to compile programs written in various programming languages. This feature allows developers to quickly create executables from their source code, saving them time and effort which would otherwise be spent manually compiling the program.
• Testing Automation: Build automation software automates testing procedures for projects, reducing the amount of manual work needed for testing purposes. This feature saves developers time by running tests automatically when changes or additions are made to the project’s code base.
• Reporting Capabilities: Most build automation tools also provide detailed reports that provide insight into how well a particular project is performing in terms of quality assurance and performance metrics. These reports often contain key information such as errors and warning messages that allow developers to quickly identify and fix issues before releasing their product into production environments.
• Customization: Build automation tools usually feature some level of customization, allowing developers to create custom tasks or scripts that can be used for specific tasks. This feature provides users with a great degree of control over their build process, allowing them to tailor it to their specific needs and requirements.

Types of Build Automation Tools

• Continuous Integration (CI) Software: This type of build automation software automates the process of verifying that a new build meets certain criteria. It is typically used to identify and fix errors or regressions introduced in the latest version of code quickly, ensuring a higher quality product faster.
• Command-Line Interface (CLI) Tools: These tools provide a way for developers to automate commonly used commands and tasks through the command line, saving them time by not having to manually enter them each time.
• Automated Testing Software: This type of software provides support for automated unit, integration, regression, and end-to-end testing. Automated tests can quickly confirm if any new changes have caused issues throughout the application.
• Source Code Management (SCM) Software: This type of platform allows developers to store code version histories in an organized manner so that code changes can be tracked easily over its lifetime. SCM supports various features such as branching, merging, pull requests, hooks and auditing capabilities which makes it easier for teams to collaborate on projects while keeping track of their progress at all times.
• Automated Deployment Software: This type of software automates the process of deploying applications from development environments onto production servers so that they can be available for use as soon as possible - reducing release cycles significantly.

Recent Trends Related to Build Automation Tools

1. Automated build tools are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to streamline the development process.
2. These tools allow for increased productivity and better quality assurance by automating the tedious task of manually building and testing code.
3. Automated build tools also help developers save time by eliminating manual effort in the build process, such as making sure all dependencies are in place and resolving any conflicts.
4. Many automated build tools also provide other features such as version control, continuous integration, automated testing, code coverage tracking, and code review.
5. As technology advances, more automation capabilities are being built into existing build tools, making them even more powerful and easier to use.
6. The use of cloud computing is allowing for even greater automation of the build process, as it enables developers to quickly deploy builds to multiple cloud environments without having to set up and manage their own servers.
7. Automated build tools are becoming more accessible, as they can often be used in combination with existing development frameworks and languages. This makes it easier for developers to adopt and use them in their projects.

The Continuous Integration and Build Deployment Process

If your end goal is continuous integration and build deployment, your first step would be to adapt the build tool.

Build tools will give you features that include plug-ins, source code management functionalities, build functionalities, parallel testing, dependency management, and compatibility with IDE.

Challenges Faced in Build Automation

• Longer builds take longer to run. A developer’s productivity is decreased as wait times increase.

  

• Large volumes of builds present other challenges. If a large volume of builds is running, access to build servers will be limited during that time.

• A third challenge is presented by complex builds. The more complex the build, the more manual efforts are required. Flexibility is greatly reduced.

The Benefits of Automation Build Tools

You derive several benefits from automation build tools. Here are some examples.

Save Time and Money

These tools will automatically keep a history of builds and releases. This reduces time when investigating issues.

• You will be less dependent on key personnel by using these tools. This will free them up to focus on other projects.

• The build process is accelerated.

• Redundant tasks are performed automatically.

If you look at the image below, you will see how the automation software development process works. This explanation is based on the Jenkins tool. This is our number one rated build automation software.

Pricing Information

Many build automation tools are free as they are open source. Others are available for a one-time fee or on a subscription basis. Pricing varies based on several factors. One factor is the number of nodes or containers desired. Other factors include the number of parallelisms desired and the number of agents needed. Paid plans offer the benefit of faster build and deployment times. They have additional security features and offer extended scalability.

How to Pick the Right Build Automation Tool

When selecting a build automation tool, there are a few things to consider. First, research the available options and look for the one that best fits your project’s technical requirements and budget. Look for tools that provide pre-made scripts or integrations with popular coding languages such as Python, JavaScript, or Java. Additionally, look for tools that offer cloud-based support so you can quickly troubleshoot any issues without having to set up additional hardware. Finally, consider the user experience of the tool—look for a tool with good documentation and an easy-to-use interface in order to make sure your team is comfortable using it. Keeping these factors in mind will help you choose the right build automation tool for your project. Make use of the comparison tools above to organize and sort all of the build automation tools products available.

How Much Do Build Automation Tools Cost?

Build automation tools can vary in cost depending on the complexity of the system, the number of users and configurations needed, and whether you choose an open source or commercial solution. Open source build automation tools are often free or have a minimal fee for support. Commercial build automation tools may require a subscription or licensing fee in order to use them. Generally speaking, highly complex systems will cost more than simple builds. The initial cost is also likely to be higher if there is a need to configure multiple environments and involve many users within the organization. Additionally, larger projects with more frequent builds will require more advanced build automation tooling with higher costs associated with it. Of course, for large organizations, the long-term savings derived from increased efficiency and improved development velocity can easily make up for any financial outlays associated with purchasing or subscribing to build automation tools.

Who Uses Build Automation Software?

• Software Engineers: Software engineers are responsible for writing code and automating processes to create computer programs and applications. They use build automation software to help simplify and streamline development tasks such as compiling, building, and testing code.
• System Administrators: System administrators are responsible for managing computers within a network, either locally or remotely. They use build automation software to quickly deploy updates across multiple systems at once, keeping the network secure and running effectively.
• DevOps Teams: DevOps teams are responsible for combining development and operations tasks to create better environments for applications to run in. They use build automation software to manage the entire delivery pipeline from end-to-end, creating more efficient workflows and faster deployments.
• QA Engineers: QA engineers are responsible for testing software products before they reach production environments. They use build automation software to ensure that tests are performed consistently across all builds in order to uncover any issues that may arise during deployment.
• Programmers: Programmers write code in order to create applications for various purposes (e.g., web or mobile). They use build automation software as a way of automating tedious tasks such as packaging, deploying, configuring, and testing their applications on various platforms or devices.
• Data Scientists: Data scientists analyze large amounts of data in order to gain insights into business trends or customer behavior patterns. They use build automation software as a way of quickly analyzing large datasets without having to manually enter data into their models or databases.
• Web Developers: Web developers are responsible for creating websites and applications for the web. They use build automation software to streamline their workflow, helping them quickly deploy updates or rollback changes when needed.

What Software Do Build Automation Tools Integrate With?

Build automation tools are pieces of software that can be used to automate processes related to the building, compiling and testing of software. These tools integrate with various types of software in order to facilitate the efficient development and deployment of applications. Some common types of software that integrate with build automation tools include source control management systems, continuous integration servers, productivity suites, bug tracking solutions and project management solutions. Source control management systems allow developers to manage their source code repositories, while continuous integration servers help ensure that code changes are compatible before being released into production. Productivity suites such as Microsoft Office or Google Docs provide collaboration features for teams working on projects together. Bug tracking solutions like JIRA make it easy for developers to report and fix issues quickly and efficiently. Finally, project management solutions like Trello provide an overview of the progress on a project so everyone involved can stay up-to-date.

Learn More about Build Automation Software

When judging between software options, pay careful attention to the available integrations. This is the only way that you can guarantee you will make the right choice based on the needs of your organization. The build automation software you choose must function with the software application and other tools that your organization is currently using.

If you do not choose well, instead of minimizing expenses and time waste, the wrong build automation software could make the job you do harder. You can completely circumvent needing to purchase expensive and time-consuming customized script interfaces if you choose a software that already is pre-constructed with APIs that are specifically designed to work with the software you have.

Build automation, when it is carried out properly, can help your company deliver a higher quality software. You can accomplish tasks faster and with less expense and minimized risk.