Unified Build System Configuration for Cross-Platform Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Developers face challenges in creating portable software programs that can be built across multiple operating systems, as existing build systems require separate build files for each platform, which is inefficient and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A unified build system configuration file is used to generate platform-specific build system files by selecting templates for each platform, allowing for automatic generation of build files that are compatible with different operating systems, supporting incremental updates and custom build steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate build files are created for each platform, then platform-specific build compatibility is ensured, but development time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a single unified build configuration file that can generate build files for multiple different platforms (Windows, Linux, macOS). This universal configuration file contains platform-independent build information that can be adapted to different operating systems, eliminating the need to create separate build files for each platform while maintaining platform-specific compatibility through template-based generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by employing templates that replicate the structure of platform-specific build files. The unified configuration file is processed through platform-specific templates to generate corresponding build files (e.g., .vcproj for Windows, Makefile for Linux). This copying approach preserves the necessary platform-specific formatting and structure while reducing manual creation effort.
2Reliability
If multiple platform-specific build files are maintained, then build compatibility across platforms is achieved, but system complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The unified build configuration file serves multiple purposes by generating build files for different platforms through template selection. This single file replaces the need to maintain multiple separate build configuration files, reducing system complexity while preserving the ability to generate platform-specific compatible build files through the template mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the build configuration into two parts: a universal platform-independent configuration file and platform-specific templates. This segmentation allows the complex build system to be divided into manageable components where the universal file contains common build information and templates handle platform-specific variations, making the overall system easier to maintain while achieving cross-platform compatibility.
3Reliability
If build files are manually created for each platform, then platform-specific requirements are met, but productivity and efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs copying through templates that automatically generate platform-specific build files from a unified configuration. The templates replicate the correct platform-specific structure, formatting, and conventions, ensuring build correctness without requiring manual creation. This automated copying process significantly improves productivity by eliminating repetitive manual file creation while maintaining the reliability needed for platform-specific builds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of manually creating and editing build files for each platform with an automated system that processes a unified configuration file through templates. This substitution of manual mechanical work with automated processing improves efficiency while maintaining platform-specific correctness through template-based generation that ensures proper formatting and structure for each platform.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for generating one or more build system build files using a unified build system configuration file includes: receiving the unified build system configuration file in a computer system, the unified build system configuration file comprising at least one platform-independent build system configuration; generating, using the computer system, at least one platform-specific build system configuration from the at least one platform-independent build system configuration; selecting at least one template for the unified build system configuration file, the template selected from among templates corresponding to each of multiple platforms; generating the one or more build system build files for at least one of the multiple platforms using the platform-specific build system configuration and the selected template; and providing the generated one or more build system build files in response to the unified build system configuration file.