Build automation is the process of automating the creation of a software build and the associated processes including: compiling computer source code into binary code, packaging binary code, and running automated tests.
This type of software takes as input the interdependencies of files (typically source code and output executables) and orchestrates building them, quickly.
In the beginning, Make was the only build automation tool available beyond home-grown solutions. Make has been around since 1976. Make remains widely used, especially in Unix and Unix-like operating systems. But there are lots of other high quality build systems.
Here’s our verdict captured in a legendary LinuxLinks-style ratings chart. Only free and open source software is eligible for inclusion.
Let’s explore the 25 build systems. For each title we have compiled its own portal page, a full description with an in-depth analysis of its features, together with links to relevant resources.
| Build Systems | |
|---|---|
| Cargo | Rust package manager |
| gulp | Toolkit to automate & enhance your workflow |
| Bazel | Build and test your multi-language, multi-platform projects |
| Apache Maven | Build automation tool used primarily for Java projects |
| Gradle | Build tool with a focus on build automation and support for multi-language |
| Meson | Next-generation build system |
| sbt | Extensible task and dependency tool for Scala projects |
| CMake | Family of tools designed to build, test and package software |
| Buck2 | Encourages the creation of small, reusable modules |
| Leiningen | Automating Clojure projects |
| Grunt | JavaScript Task Runner |
| Ninja | Small build system with a focus on speed |
| Mill | Fast, flexible task runner for JVM-based software projects |
| xmake | Cross-platform build utility based on Lua |
| SCons | Software construction tool |
| Pants | Scalable build system for monorepos |
| PHing | Build system based on Apache Ant |
| Please | Fast cross-language automation for large codebases |
| Rake | make-like build utility for Ruby |
| Apache Ant | Tool for automating software build processes |
| Rebar3 | Feature-rich project and dependency tool for Erlang applications |
| Cabal | Common Architecture for Building Applications and Libraries |
| FASTBuild | High-performance tool with caching and distributed processing |
| Dune | Composable project automation tailored to the OCaml ecosystem |
| build2 | Native cross-platform toolchain for C and C++ projects |
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Forgot to mention xmake
Not now đŸ™‚
Lazarus is an amazing IDE for FreePascal. I’ve been using it for more than 10 years. Still gets at least 4 updates/fixez every 3 months.
I agree. Lazarus is included in our IDE roundup.