IBM Support

Difference between a parallel and distributed build

Question & Answer


Question

Is there a simple definition of the difference between a parallel build and a distributed build, and highlights about what is supported for use with the IBM® Rational® ClearCase® clearmake build utility on Windows®, Linux® and UNIX®?

Answer

Parallel building, when the term is applied to clearmake, is the ability to run multiple compiles simultaneously on the same system by understanding the build order dependency graph described in the makefile (the order in which files must be built, based on their dependencies).


Distributed building is an extension of parallel building that allows the use of multiple machines to perform the steps of a build. This is often advantageous for performing nightly builds, as there are usually quite a few idle CPUs after normal working hours. For each machine that might be used in a distributed build, it can be specified at what hours and what load limits that machine should be used.

ClearCase Build Support

Windows

Clearmake parallel builds are supported starting with ClearCase v2002.05 and later releases in both dynamic and snapshot views.

Distributed builds are not supported by clearmake on Windows.

Note: A product build can be spread across multiple systems using Build Forge or another build control tool, however, this differs from a clearmake-controlled distributed build in that the user has to determine what can, and -- most importantly -- cannot, be built simultaneously and configure the builds appropriately.

UNIX and Linux

Clearmake parallel and distributed builds are supported in dynamic and snapshot views.

For more information, refer to IBM Rational ClearCase Building Software manual.


Documentation

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Document Information

Modified date:
16 June 2018

UID

swg21146476

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