Hudson is an open-source continuous integration tool that has gained immense popularity in recent years. It is widely used by software development teams to automate their build and deployment processes. One of the key features of Hudson is the ability to track changes made to the source code and trigger builds accordingly. This feature is known as SCM (Source Code Management) Change, and it plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the development process.
In this article, we will delve deeper into the concept of 'Started by SCM Change' in Hudson and understand its significance in the context of software development.
To begin with, SCM Change refers to any modification made to the source code, such as a new commit, merge, or branch creation. In Hudson, this change is detected by polling the source code repository at regular intervals. Once a change is detected, Hudson triggers a build, which then goes through the various stages of the build process, such as compiling, testing, and deployment.
The 'Started by SCM Change' feature is a powerful tool that helps in automating the build process. It eliminates the need for manual intervention, thereby saving time and effort for the development team. Moreover, it ensures that the latest code changes are always reflected in the build, thus reducing the chances of errors and conflicts.
One of the key advantages of using the 'Started by SCM Change' feature is its ability to handle multiple changes simultaneously. In a typical software development cycle, there can be multiple developers working on different features or bug fixes. In such a scenario, it is essential to have a system that can handle these changes efficiently. This is where Hudson's SCM Change feature comes into play. It can detect and trigger builds for each change, ensuring that the codebase remains up-to-date.
Another significant benefit of using this feature is its ability to revert changes in case of a failed build. In a fast-paced development environment, it is not uncommon for a build to fail due to a code change or a configuration error. In such cases, Hudson's SCM Change feature can roll back to the previous stable build, thus saving valuable time for the developers.
Apart from these, the 'Started by SCM Change' feature also provides visibility into the build process. It keeps a log of all the changes made to the source code, along with the corresponding build results. This helps the development team in tracking the progress of their work and identifying any potential issues.
In conclusion, the 'Started by SCM Change' feature in Hudson is a critical aspect of the continuous integration process. It helps in automating the build process, handling multiple changes, and providing visibility and control over the codebase. By using this feature, software development teams can ensure that their builds are always up-to-date and of high quality, thus enabling them to deliver products faster and with greater confidence. So, if you haven't already, it's time to embrace Hudson and unlock its full potential with the 'Started by SCM Change' feature.
