List of build automation software

This page lists notable software build automation tools and systems.

Sequencing

These tools sequence build operations – often based on dependencies – sometimes running tasks in parallel.

• Apache Ant – Java build tool; uses XML format for configuration files
• Apache Maven – Software tool for managing build dependencies
• ASDF – de facto standard build facility for Common LispPages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback
• Bazel – Software tool that automates software builds and tests
• BitBake – Build automation tool tailored for building Linux distributions; written in Python
• Boot – build automation and dependency management toolPages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback; written in Clojure
• Boost boost.build – For C++ projects, cross-platform, based on Perforce Jam
• Buck – Build system developed and used by Meta Platforms; written in Rust, using Starlark (BUILD file syntax) as Bazel
• Buildout – programming tool aimed to assist with deploying softwarePages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback; Python-based
• Cabal – package manager for Haskell softwarePages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback
• D Dub – Official package and build manager of the D Language
• Flowtracer – Build management toolPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
• Gradle – Free software build automation tool; with a Groovy- and Kotlin-based domain specific language (DSL), combining features of Apache Ant and Apache Maven with more features like a reliable incremental build
• Grunt – JavaScript build tool
• Gulp – Server-side JavaScript build tool
• IncrediBuild – Grid computing softwarePages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
• Leiningen – Build automation tool; for Clojure projects
• Make – Software build automation tool; one of the earliest build automation tools; many variants
• Mix – Build automation software for Elixir
• MSBuild – Build automation software; from Microsoft
• NAnt – .NET build softwarePages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback; based on Ant
• Ninja – Free build automation software
• Perforce Jam – Build tool by Perforce, inspired by Make
• Qt Build System – cross-platform free and open-source software for managing the build process of softwarePages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback
• Rake – Make-like tool written in RubyPages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback
• sbt – Open-source build tool for Scala and Java projects
• SCons – software construction toolPages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback; Python-based
• Stack – Haskell development tool
• Waf – software build automation toolPages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback; Python-based

Meta build

Called meta-build tools, these generate configuration files for other build tools such as those listed above.

• CMake – Cross-platform build tool for configuring platform-specific builds; very popoular; integrated with IDEs such as Qt Creator,^[1] KDevelop and GNOME Builder^[2]
• GNU build system (aka Autotools) – Software build toolset from GNUPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
• GYP (Generate Your Projects) – Build automation tool created by Google; superseded by GN which generates files for ninja and other tools
• imake – build automation system written for the X Window SystemPages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback
• OpenMake Software Meister
• Meson – Build automation tool; integrated with GNOME Builder^[2]
• Premake – Cross-platform build tool for configuring platform-specific builds; written in Lua
• qmake – software build tool that generates MakefilesPages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback

Continuous integration

Continuous integration systems automate build operations at a relatively high level via features including: scheduling and triggering builds, storing build log and output files and integrating with version control systems.

• AnthillPro – Continuous integration server
• Apache Continuum – Continuous integration server for building Java-based projects; discontinued
• Bitbucket Pipelines and Deployments – Continuous integration for Bitbucket hosted repositories^[3]
• Buildbot – Continuous integration testing framework
• CruiseControl – Software continuous build framework
• Go continuous delivery – Open source, cross-platform
• GitLab Runner – Continuous integration
• GitHub Actions – Free continuous integration service for open-source projects
• Hudson – Continuous integration tool
• Jenkins – Open source automation server; Hudson fork
• Spinnaker – Open source multi-cloud continuous delivery service from Netflix and Google
• TeamCity – build management and continuous integration serverPages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback
• Travis CI – Service to build and test software projects

Others

• checkinstall – Computer program for Unix-like operating systemsPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
• Open Build Service – platform for multiple Linux distributionsPages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback

Licensing

Tool	License
Ant	Apache License 2.0
AnthillPro	Discontinued
Bamboo	Trialware
Bazel	Apache License 2.0
Boot	Eclipse Public License
Capistrano	MIT License
CMake	New BSD License
Collective Knowledge Framework	New BSD License
Continuum	Apache License 2.0
CruiseControl	BSD-style license
Dub	MIT License
Gradle	Apache License 2.0
Jenkins	MIT License
Homebrew	Simplified BSD License
Leiningen	Eclipse Public License
make	Same as the bundling OS
Maven	Apache License 2.0
Meson build system	Apache License 2.0
MPW Make	Freeware
MSBuild	MIT License
NAnt	GNU GPL
nmake	Freeware
Open Build Service	GNU GPL
Perforce Jam	Discontinued
Rake	MIT License
sbt (Simple Build Tool)	New BSD License
SCons	MIT License
Team Foundation Server	Trialware
Waf	New BSD License

See also

• Comparison of continuous integration software
• List of software package management systems
• List of version-control software
• Make variants – Tools based on or very similar to Unix make
• Software configuration management – Tracking and controlling software changes

References

1. "Setting Up CMake - Qt Creator Manual". doc.qt.io.
2. "GNOME Builder Development Environment Picking Up Many Features For GNOME 3.28 - Phoronix". www.phoronix.com.
3. https://confluence.atlassian.com/bitbucket/build-test-and-deploy-with-pipelines-792496469.html Cross-platform