[ecf-dev] ECF build v2 -- Build easier

[Scott Lewis <slewis@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Folks,

Now that Galileo is past us, many of us would like to move toward fully 
using our new (and much improved) automated build and test system.  
Markus and Ted have already done quite a lot of work to get Hudson and 
Buckminster installed, configured, and it's now running at the OSU Open 
Source lab sight.  Overall, we're actually pretty close to 
replacing/removing our existing builder with this new, better, easier, 
more managable one. 

There are, however, several things to address/add in the new build 
system before we can pull the plug on the existing builder:

In broad strokes, we need to:

1) Add bundle signing (for dev.eclipse.org build)
2) Setup/refactor the features so that we can build
   a) weekly platform integration builds (i.e. filetransfer and ECF core)
   b) auto, daily, integration and release builds (on-demand for 
release...others can be automated)
3) Add a builder for the features/bundles at OSU OSL (including 
JMS/ActiveMQ, Yahoo provider, TweetHub (product), and perhaps other 
things...e.g. SOC student work)
4) Add automated junit testing
5) Add support for Markus' work on distributing testing framework
6+) The million other things that have to be done for 'build system care 
and feeding' :)
7) The other things that I've forgotten

I think the first thing to do is to arrange to have a conference call 
with Markus (Lemmy)...so Markus can explain and demo the buckminster and 
hudson-based builder...and those of us that will be working with it can 
know what's happening, how it can be configured/added to to setup the 
things listed above (as well as others).

So if Markus would respond to this email with an indication of the 
days/times (UTC) he would be available for hosting a shared screen 
session (with screen sharing tech of choice) over next two weeks we'll 
set it up and then have it. 

If you are interested in participating in the ECF building/deployment 
process (which I strongly encourage, BTW...even if you aren't a 
committer)...please try to come to this conference call.  This is an 
area where we can/could absolutely use some further contributions from 
the community, as a couple of us (Ted and Scott) are wanting to spend 
more time/effort this year on development, and have 'paid our dues'.  
It's also great experience (IMHO), as building/deploying for any 
significant system is always (and always going to be IMHO), a technical, 
process, and community challenge.

Thanks,

Scott