Automake vs MSBuild

Struggling to choose between Automake and MSBuild? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Automake is a Development solution with tags like make, automake, build, gnu.

It boasts features such as Automatically generates Makefile.am files from Makefile.in files, Supports automatic dependency tracking and parallel builds, Integrates with Autoconf to provide a full build environment, Supports various languages like C, C++, Fortran, Java, Objective-C, Handles library dependencies and subdirectories seamlessly, Allows overriding defaults and customization through config files and pros including Saves time by automating Makefile creation, Promotes standardization and best practices for builds, Simplifies build configuration for large, complex projects, Easy to integrate with build tools like Autoconf and Libtool, Actively maintained and well-documented.

On the other hand, MSBuild is a Development product tagged with build, automation, microsoft, net.

Its standout features include XML-based build scripts, Incremental and clean builds, NuGet package restore, Multi-targeting and multi-platform support, Extensible and customizable via tasks, and it shines with pros like Integrated into Visual Studio, Cross-platform, Powerful extensibility, Wide adoption in .NET ecosystem.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Automake

Automake

Automake is a tool for automatically generating Makefile.am files that comply with the GNU coding standards. It simplifies the creation and maintenance of Makefiles for complex software projects.

Categories:
make automake build gnu

Automake Features

  1. Automatically generates Makefile.am files from Makefile.in files
  2. Supports automatic dependency tracking and parallel builds
  3. Integrates with Autoconf to provide a full build environment
  4. Supports various languages like C, C++, Fortran, Java, Objective-C
  5. Handles library dependencies and subdirectories seamlessly
  6. Allows overriding defaults and customization through config files

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Saves time by automating Makefile creation

Promotes standardization and best practices for builds

Simplifies build configuration for large, complex projects

Easy to integrate with build tools like Autoconf and Libtool

Actively maintained and well-documented

Cons

Yet another build tool to learn

Limited flexibility compared to handwritten Makefiles

Not as feature-rich as some alternatives like CMake

Requires GNU build tools and may not work on all platforms

Can have a steep learning curve


MSBuild

MSBuild

MSBuild is an XML-based build automation tool developed by Microsoft. It is used to build applications and solutions across various .NET languages and platforms like .NET Framework, .NET Core, and Mono. MSBuild handles project builds, clean builds, packaging, publishing, and more.

Categories:
build automation microsoft net

MSBuild Features

  1. XML-based build scripts
  2. Incremental and clean builds
  3. NuGet package restore
  4. Multi-targeting and multi-platform support
  5. Extensible and customizable via tasks

Pricing

  • Free
  • Open Source

Pros

Integrated into Visual Studio

Cross-platform

Powerful extensibility

Wide adoption in .NET ecosystem

Cons

XML build scripts can be verbose

Steep learning curve

Not as fast as other build tools