The Build Specification

A Build Specification contains the instructions that tell the build engine how to create and change the objects that are in a project. It contains four sections: Project References, Variables, Command Sets, and Builders, with command sets and builders being the most fundamental. Command sets describe how objects are built on the IBM® i Operating System, builders describe what is built. Here is a quick overview.
Project References
These are used to refer to build specifications in other projects. Command sets defined in these other specifications can then be used in this specification. This allows common definitions to be shared among a number of projects. Project references can also be used to specify prerequisite projects. These are projects upon which this project depends and thus should be built before this project is built.
Variables
These are string values that can be used by name in the attributes of command sets and builders. Variables are used to control various aspects of a build and to provide a convenient place for defining build options.
Builders
These define what objects are built, the inputs that are used to build those outputs, and what the dependencies among the builders in the project are. These dependencies defines the order in which the builders in the project are run. In addition, builders describe the other resources that may be dependencies of a project that aren't contained directly in the project.
Command Sets
These lists of standard IBM i commands which can be used by builders. A command set can be used by more than one builder. They can be parameterized by using substitution variables whose values are then provided by the builder.

The .ibuild File

The Build Specification is kept in the .ibuild file located in the .ibmi directory of the project. It is an XML file. The file can be edited using the IBM i Build Specification Editor, a form-based editor that provides a convenient way to ensure that the generated XML markup is correct. Do not edit this file directly. Always use the build specification editor.

Please refer to Jazz™.net for more information.


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