2.2. Building Code¶

What does Building mean? In C/C++ context, it can be plainly Compiling and Linking

But it is a little more than that. If a C source file changes, only that file gets compiled. If a C header file changes, every source file that includes it (directly or indirectly) gets compiled.

But, in true context of a build, it is not just compiling and linking. It normally also involves creating libraries/DLLs/Shared Objects. In larger projects, running static code analysis tools, generating API documentation, running unit tests, code coverage tools can also be part of the build process.

Eclipse can cover all the variations of such builds.

Mainly, Eclipse supports 2 types of builds

• Eclipse Managed Build

  • Eclipse manages every thing.
  • Eclipse Gives a GUI to change the paremters/etc.

• Externally Managed Build

  • Eclipse let’s other tool do every thing
  • Quite common for Existing projects where a build system is already in place.

These are the topics discussed in further detail: