Classification of automatic software build methods
This work addresses the need for a clear classification framework for software developers and engineers, but it is incremental as it builds on existing concepts without introducing new methods.
The article tackles the problem of classifying automated software build processes, from build scripts to continuous integration types, providing a systematic categorization.
The process of creating working software from source code and other components (like libraries, database files, etc.) is called "software build". Apart from linking and compiling, it can include other steps like automated testing, static code analysis, documentation generation, deployment and other. All that steps can be automated using a build description of some sort (e.g. script). This article classifies the automatic software build processes beginning at build script and reaching the various types of continuous integration.