Build Server

A build server is a server that is dedicated to compiling source code into executable programs and packages. The key purpose of a build server is to automate the process of building software.

Build servers allow developers to integrate their work frequently and get fast feedback on changes. When developers check in new code to a source control system like Git, the build server detects the changes and kicks off a new build automatically. It fetches the latest source, compiles the code, runs tests, and produces build artifacts like executables or installable packages. Build servers can do this quickly and efficiently across multiple platforms like Windows, Linux, and macOS.

For example, a Java project could be built on a build server to produce JAR files. A mobile app could be built to generate iOS and Android packages. Build servers like Jenkins, TeamCity, and Bamboo offer capabilities like configuring build steps, managing dependencies, running automated tests, deploying artifacts, and integrating with other tools like issue trackers. Using a dedicated build server improves developer productivity and code quality.