What is build automation?

Build automation refers to the process of automating the tasks involved in building and compiling software applications. It involves using tools and scripts to streamline and simplify the steps required to transform source code into a deployable and executable application.

Traditionally, building software involved manual steps such as compiling source code, resolving dependencies, linking libraries, and packaging the application. However, as software projects grow larger and more complex, these tasks become time-consuming and error-prone. Build automation aims to alleviate these challenges by automating the entire build process.

Build automation tools, such as Apache Maven, Gradle, or Microsoft’s MSBuild, provide a way to define and manage the build process. These tools use configuration files or scripts that specify the required steps to build the software. The build automation tool can then execute these steps automatically, eliminating the need for manual intervention.

Build automation offers several benefits to software development teams. It improves productivity by reducing the time and effort required to build the application. It also ensures consistency and repeatability in the build process, as the same steps are executed every time, reducing the risk of human error. Additionally, build automation enables easier collaboration among team members, as the build process is documented and can be easily reproduced on different development environments.

In summary, build automation simplifies and accelerates the process of building software applications by automating the steps involved, resulting in increased productivity, improved reliability, and easier collaboration within software development teams.

Source: https://gartsolutions.com/streamlining-software-development-with-build-automation/