FinalBuilder's core interface elements are the:
- Action Types Tab
- Action Lists
- Run Tab and
- Build Log
FinalBuilder's interface is dockable and completely customizable. To the right is
a screenshot of the default layout. You can refer back to this screenshot (click
to enlarge) to see which dock zone each of the interface elements belongs to by
default.
Action Types Tab
FinalBuilder provides more than 600 pre-written scripts, called actions. Actions
can interop with compilers, version control systems & testing tools, perform
file operations and much more.
To automate each stage of a build process, actions can be combined into an action
list. The "Actions" tab lists every action that can be added to your build project.
To quickly find the aciton you require, there is a "Search" box at the top
of the Actions tab. You can search for actions by action name eg. Build VS.Net Solution,
product name eg. Visual Studio or category eg. Compiler.
To add an action to your build project, click on it or drag-and-drop it into and
Action List.
Main Action List
The main action list is where you define your build script. The build process
will consist of a set of actions, which are executed from the top to the bottom
during a build process.
Actions may be laid out in a parent/child hierarchy to add structure to your build
process. In the example to the right, some nodes of the build process
from above have been collapsed ("Try" and "Catch") to focus attention on the steps
in the "Finally" action group.
The OnFailure action list is a special list of actions which get executed only if
your build fails. OnFailure actions typically "clean up" so that the
next build runs without error (eg. Check files back into version control).
Executing a build
To run a build, click the run button on the toolbar, or select the Run menu option
from the Run menu.
Running a build puts the FinalBuilder IDE into a build running state where it automatically
selects the current action being executed as well as displaying logging information
in the build log (see below).
When a build is running you cannot edit any actions, but you can change tabs at
the bottom of the IDE so you can access the Run Status, or Watches for example.
You can pause or stop a build using the Run menu or the toolbar buttons.
Build Log
The build log is where the output and logging messages of a build are stored.
The log is organised in the same hierarchy as your build process and records all
the timing, status, and messages which occurred during the build.
The build log is updated in real time, so that you can watch the progress of the
build.