I downloaded a copy last year , but before I could fully evaluate the license expired . Is it possible to get an extension ?
I also had a few queries about how Finalbuilder will fit my requirement. If it does , we ( corporation) will be extremely motivated to buy .
Here are the tools we work with
1. Visual Studio 6 and .NET
2. Cleacase
Requirement
1. We need to automate our build process and simplify so that anyone can start a build easily .
2. ability to check out files maintained by Clearcase .
3. update .rc file in Visual Studio project with Version Details
4. Start project build
5. If there are errors in step 4 log an error and undo checkout of files ( step 2)
6. If Ok then ability to invoke clearcase command to apply a label
7 . Check in files
8. Send email to list of developers about entire build log
If I can get a sample or pointers as to how to do this , it will take us closer to buying the product !
Thanks
Hi Prashanth,
I’ve generated a trial extension key for you. Click on the “Store” link, then “My Store”, in order to see your keys and download the extension.
Here are some notes about the actions which can help you with the processes you mentioned:
>1. We need to automate our build process and simplify so that anyone can start a build easily .
We’re planning to add some more advanced remote-trigger possibilities in the future, but for now the easiest way to share a build machine is to use Remote Desktop to connect and trigger builds.
Alternatively, FinalBuilder can integrate with CruiseControl.NET in order to trigger builds either from source control or via a web interface.
>2. ability to check out files maintained by Clearcase .
The ClearCase CheckOut action will allow you to do this.
>3. update .rc file in Visual Studio project with Version Details
The Win32 Version Info updater will allow you to do this.
>4. Start project build
For VS.NET, use the Build VS.Net Solution action.
For Visual Studio 6, you can use the Build VC6/Embedded Project action or the Compile Visual Basic Project action.
>5. If there are errors in step 4 log an error and undo checkout of files ( step 2)
If you place the above actions inside a Try… Catch block then you can catch any errors and perform the above activities (using actions like Send Email to notify that a build failed, and ClearCase Undo Checkout to undo the checkouts.,)
>6. If Ok then ability to invoke clearcase command to apply a label
The ClearCase Apply Label action will let you do this.
>7 . Check in files
Similarly, the ClearCase Checkin action will let you do this.
>8. Send email to list of developers about entire build log
The Send Email action will allow you to do this. To send the entire build log, use the Export Log action to write out the log to an XML or HTML file, and then attach it to the email.
Please let me know if you need further information on any of the above steps.
Regards,
Angus
Thanks Angus for ur lighting fast reply .
I was wondering if finalbuilder would support incredibuild ?
Does it support INCREDIBUILD batch build ?
Additionally there is a case where i might have to do the same action of different conditions . In that case does it support something similar to a function block that I can reuse ?
Hi Prashanth,
No problems.
Yes, FinalBuilder supports Incredibuild. Take a look at the Incredibuild action to see the support which is currently available.
FinalBuilder has a feature called Action Lists, which are like procedures and can have Action List Parameters which are like function parameters. You can call Action Lists by using the Run Action List action.
You can also use FinalBuilder Variables to encourage reuse and modularity, and iterators allow you to loop through actions multiple times.
Regards,
Angus
I began to evaluate FB before christmas, and now unfortunately my license went out. I need more time before using it in our build process. Is it possible to get an extension too?
Thanks a lot
Alexis Theriault
I did some trials , however is it possibl to precisely trap the error of an action other than put it in a try catch . with the try catch i lose the specifics of the error . Any recommendations ?
As for eg a Clearcase label generation action might fail due to many reasons , but one reason might be that the label already exists . How do i proceed with the next steps if this occurs ( in my case this isnt really an error but a condition that has been satisfied already )
Hi Prashanth,
Having different levels of failure is a feature which we’re planning to introduce in a future release.
At the moment you can get around it by parsing the output of the action in the “OnStatusMessage” script event and checking for the condition that you want to ignore. Alternatively, you can set “Ignore Failure” on the action and ignore all failures.
To parse the output, you will want to use script code which looks something like this (a JScript example):
BeforeAction Script Event:
Action.IgnoreFailure = false;
OnStatusMessage Script Event:
Action.IgnoreFailure = Action.IgnoreFailure || StatusMessage.indexOf(“already applied”) > -1;
Regards,
Angus
PS Both The ClearCase Apply Label and Make Label Type actions have a “replace existing type” option which will work around the specific error you mentioned.