Microsoft's Evolution of .NET Build System: From Distributed to Unified Build Architecture
By
IcyWindows
Pulled from the oven just right. Trustworthy, fact-dense, deeply satisfying.
Summary
The article details Microsoft's evolution of the .NET build system from a distributed model to a unified approach called 'Unified Build.' It explains how the previous distributed system created complexity, long build times, and unpredictability in shipping releases. The new Unified Build system dramatically reduces complexity, cuts build times from days to hours, improves predictability, and provides better flexibility for shipping .NET releases. The author reflects on the journey of solving this infrastructure problem and the benefits realized by the development teams.
Key quotes
· 5 pulledAfter I wrote my last post on how .NET builds and ships, I was cautiously optimistic that I wouldn't be writing another one. Or at least not another one about how we build and ship.
That problem was done and dusted. .NET had done it! We'd struck a balance between distributed repository development and the ability to quickly compose a product for shipping.
Congratulations everyone, now the infrastructure teams could focus on other things. Security, cross-company standardization, support for building new product features. All the good stuff.
A year and a half later...
An exploration of how .NET evolved from a distributed build system to Unified Build, dramatically reducing complexity and build times while improving flexibility and predictability for shipping .NET releases.
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