In the early days of computing, software development was an incredibly straightforward process. Developers worked directly with the hardware, toggling switches on a mainframe’s front panel to run code. There were no elaborate build processes or complex dependencies; the code either worked or it didn’t. While not necessarily easy, creating software was relatively uncomplicated compared to the highly structured, multi-step processes we deal with today.
Fast forward to the present, and the situation has changed drastically. Modern software development involves a multitude of steps for every line of code. What was once a simple series of keystrokes has transformed into a highly intricate process, often referred to as the “build.” A single line of code might pass through various stages, from optimization to testing to packaging into machine executables. In fact, many medium-sized development teams dedicate entire roles to managing these complex build pipelines. What started as a straightforward task has become a finely-tuned system of checks and balances.
This evolution of the build process came about because developers kept adding steps to address emerging challenges. Is the code running too slowly? Add optimization steps. Is the program breaking in unexpected ways? Add unit tests to catch bugs early. Are the unit tests comprehensive enough? Add meta-tests to verify the tests themselves. Over time, all these incremental improvements created the sophisticated build systems we use today, which may involve continuous integration, deployment pipelines, and numerous other steps designed to ensure that the software is as reliable and efficient as possible.
Given this complexity, it’s worth periodically reevaluating how we approach building software. Are the old tools still sufficient, or have new methods emerged that could streamline the process? To explore this, here are nine innovative approaches that could enhance or even replace your current build pipeline. One example is 1JPM, a build tool for Java that simplifies the process by allowing developers to write build instructions in Java itself, instead of relying on XML or other languages like Groovy. This tool integrates with Maven, taking advantage of the extensive ecosystem around it while keeping the process familiar and efficient. With tools like 1JPM, developers can rethink how they approach builds, potentially saving time and reducing complexity.