Rob Reynolds | | Twitter: ferventcoder

What will we accomplish?  Learn More about Builds  Talk about an Insanely Easy to Use Build Tool  Demos – after all this is a technical presentation right?!

What is a build?  In the field of computer software, the term software build refers either to the process of converting source code files into standalone software artifact(s) that can be run on a computer, or the result of doing so. One of the most important steps of a software build is the compilation process where source code files are converted into executable code.

SO…What is a build?  Converting source to a usable product

What is Build Automation?  Scripting activities  Compiling – What has F5 done for you lately?  Quality Indicators - Running verifications  NCover, NDepend, Symbian, etc  Automated Tests  Packaging - for Release  Versioning DLLs  DRYing activities – Hang it out to dry

What is related to Build Automation?  Continuous Integration  Cruise Control.NET | Team City  Automated Deployments  Automated Database Migrations

What is an Automated Build Tool?  Something scripted/built that performs the build activities

What is NOT an Automated Build Tool?  Deployment  Database Migrations

Why Automated Builds?  Improves quality  Redundant tasks  Reduces errors – repeatable  Frees you up  Easier maintenance  Eliminates dependencies  Saves time and money – Stop stealing from your employer! (thanks Jeremy Miller)

What to use?  MSBuild  NAnt  PSake  Rake

What to use?  MSBuild  Built in  But – does not shift frameworks well  NAnt – XML Yo!  Tried and tested – old hat  But - The angle bracket tax  PSake – Powershell  Powershell, need I say more?  But – new kid on the block  Rake – Ruby Make  Powerful  But - Another language to learn

What are they all missing?  Conventions  Speed to a valid build  Repeatable  Upgrade path

THAT’S WHY WE CREATED

SOMETHING JUST AS POWERFUL

BUT

MUCH, MUCH QUICKER & EASIER

UppercuT

Why UppercuT?  Stop recreating the wheel  Use an optimized process  Introduce standards  We need conventions  Upgrade very quickly and easily

What is UppercuT?  Insanely easy to use build framework!  Opinionated  NAnt with Conventions  NAnt templated with a layer of indirection  NAnt for the masses!

UppercuT Conventions  Local builds  Version assemblies using source control revisions  Test Automation  References preferred to be local  Quality indicators are a must  Building and packaging are separate  Build and deploy are separate concerns

How to use UppercuT?  Drop in required files  Answer three questions  Automated builds!

When should I try UppercuT?  Right now!  Already have builds? When it makes sense  No build server? Not required to start

Let the demos begin