I would like to have something like “build parameters” or “build startup” screen, where some information about “this” build could be displayed and/or edited.
Currently, before I start a new build, I need to go and “edit variables”, find the one called A010BuildNumber and increment it. I could, of course, use Prompt for Variables action, but then it means that build process is already started and it just doesn’t feel right.
Also, we, as many other companies, are developing new versions and supporting the old ones at the same time. The build routine is getting improved as well, sometimes new features are added, etc., so a FB project for Latest And Greatest version is not guaranteed to be compatible with an older version of our product. In order to build an older version I use an older copy of FB project, but both FB projects look very similar, often the only difference is a comment action on top of the project. I would like to place this comment in big letters on Build Startup screen.
In my old, Delphi-based builder, I had a radiobox for choosing whether I wanted to build a full build or an upgrade from an old version, including only changed files (installation was Installshield 5.5. based). This is just an example, the point is that probably many of us, build masters, have our own strange wishes for build setup.
My wish:
Give us an editable startup screen, with same features as in Action Studio’s Option Page and Property Page editors. It could be placed on Build Summary page, probably very close to where Run button is now.
It would be natural to use Action Studio to edit this screen, I am just unsure of how to integrate everything together. Delphi way of doing things would be that plugin appears in GUI when you install a Delphi package. The same happens with Option Pages in FB. But a build startup screen is not exactly package-specific. Or can it be?
Maybe a special action could provide an interface between this startup screen and build process / build variables?
Hi Didzis,
Thanks for the suggestion. We’ll definitely give some thought to this kind of feature.
In the meantime, have you looked closely at the Prompt For Variables (Enhanced) action? It lets you do a lot more complex things than the basic Prompt For Variables action, so it may provide some or most of the functionality you need for now. That’s how we go about configuring our build processes “on the fly” (and it has a timeout feature so if the build is running unattended, it doesn’t hold us up!)
- Angus