Build Catalyst accelerates make-based C and C++ software
builds. It interprets and analyzes your existing make files and runs
an accelerated build. The accelerated build can use techniques such
as parallel builds and distributed builds to reduce overall build
time.
Build Catalyst is provided with IBM® Rational® Build
Forge® but
requires additional installation. To use Build Catalyst with Rational
Build Forge, install Build Catalyst on a host where a Rational Build
Forge agent is installed. When installed and configured, the Build
Catalyst accelerated build can be called by a Rational Build Forge
step. The integration with Rational Build Forge projects allows access
to the broader build automation tools that Rational Build Forge provides.
For example, calling the refactored make-based builds may be part
of a larger build scenario involving other builds. The Rational Build
Forge project can also run pre-build and post-build procedures.
Build Catalyst is highly compatible with makefiles that were written
for GNU Make 3.80. If you have a makefile written for GNU Make 3.80,
you can use Build Catalyst to build your source code without changing
the makefiles in most cases. Some cases might require minor changes.
Build Catalyst supports these builds:
- Parallel builds: Build Catalyst can identify nondependent
targets and build them in parallel. Building in parallel makes better
use of resources, such as multicore processors, in the build computer.
By using resources efficiently, Build Catalyst accelerates builds
and reduces build times.
- Distributed builds: Distributed builds are like parallel
builds; however, the build activity is distributed among multiple
computers.
The Build Catalyst documentation is for new and experienced users
of Build Catalyst, who are familiar with software build concepts.