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Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
You may obtain a copy of the License at
http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
limitations under the License.
About
-----
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What is BuildStream?
====================
`BuildStream <https://buildstream.build>`_ is a powerful software integration tool that allows
developers to automate the integration of software components including operating systems, and to
streamline the software development and production process.
Some key capabilities of BuildStream include:
* Defining software stacks in a declarative format: BuildStream allows users to define the steps
required to build and integrate software components, including fetching source code and building
dependencies.
* Integrating with version control systems: BuildStream can be configured to fetch source code from
popular source code management solutions such as GitLab, GitHub, BitBucket as well as a range of
non-git technologies.
* Supporting a wide range of build technologies: BuildStream supports a wide range of technologies,
including key programming languages like C, C++, Python, Rust and Java, as well as many build tools
including Make, CMake, Meson, distutils, pip and others.
* Ability to create outputs in a range of formats: e.g. debian packages, flatpak runtimes, sysroots,
system images, for multiple platforms and chipsets.
* Flexible architecture: BuildStream is designed to be flexible and extensible, allowing users to
customize their build and integration processes to meet their specific needs and tooling.
* Enabling fast and reliable software delivery: By extensibly use of sandboxing techniques and by
its capability to distribute the build, BuildStream helps teams deliver high-quality software faster.
Why should I use BuildStream?
=============================
BuildStream offers the following advantages:
* **Declarative build instructions/definitions**
BuildStream provides a flexible and extensible framework for the modelling
of software build pipelines in a declarative YAML format, which allows you to
manipulate filesystem data in a controlled, reproducible sandboxed environment.
* **Support for developer and integrator workflows**
BuildStream provides traceability and reproducibility for integrators handling
stacks of hundreds/thousands of components, as well as workspace features and
shortcuts to minimise cycle-time for developers.
* **Fast and predictable**
BuildStream can cache previous builds and track changes to source file content
and build/config commands. BuildStream only rebuilds the things that have changed.
* **Extensible**
You can extend BuildStream to support your favourite build-system.
* **Bootstrap toolchains and bootable systems**
BuildStream can create full systems and complete toolchains from scratch, for
a range of ISAs including x86_32, x86_64, ARMv7, ARMv8, MIPS.
How do I use BuildStream?
=========================
Please refer to the `documentation <https://docs.buildstream.build>`_
for information about installing BuildStream, and about the BuildStream YAML format
and plugin options.
How does BuildStream work?
==========================
BuildStream operates on a set of YAML files (.bst files), as follows:
* Loads the YAML files which describe the target(s) and all dependencies.
* Evaluates the version information and build instructions to calculate a build
graph for the target(s) and all dependencies and unique cache-keys for each
element.
* Retrieves previously built elements (artifacts) from a local/remote cache, or
builds the elements in a sandboxed environment using the instructions declared
in the .bst files.
* Transforms/configures and/or deploys the resulting target(s) based on the
instructions declared in the .bst files.
How can I get started?
======================
To get started, first `install BuildStream by following the installation guide
<https://buildstream.build/install.html>`_
and then follow our tutorial in the
`user guide <https://docs.buildstream.build/master/main_using.html>`_.
We also recommend exploring some existing BuildStream projects:
* https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnome-build-meta/
* https://gitlab.com/freedesktop-sdk/freedesktop-sdk
* https://gitlab.com/baserock/definitions
If you have any questions please ask on our `#buildstream <irc://irc.gnome.org/buildstream>`_ channel in `irc.gnome.org <irc://irc.gnome.org>`_