When to use a build tool?

Question

A beginner question, bear with me: I\'m just wondering under what circumstances one should use a build tool like nant or msbuild? I\'m working on a medium sized application (.ne

Answer 1

The short answer is always.

Each developer should be building using the build script before checking code in. The people building the release should be using the build script to build the release. Your buildbots should be using the build script to build and test the code that's been checked in.

Doing this allows all the developers, testers and buildbots to have a consistent, repeatable build. After all, The F5 Key Is Not a Build Process.

Answer 2

A build tool should be used when your process for building becomes longer than one command. It should be used to get your standard build process back down into one command. If your build process is longer than one command, then you have the opportunity for errors to creep in from missed/duplicated/incorrect commands being done during a build.