Mastering mbt: The Ultimate Build Orchestration Tool for Monorepo

Aug 22, 2021 | Programming

Welcome to the world of mbt, the most flexible build orchestration tool designed specifically for monorepos! This blog will guide you through how to install and use mbt effectively, with a sprinkle of creative flair to make the journey enjoyable. Let’s dive in!

Getting Started with mbt

To begin, you’ll need to install mbt on your system. Depending on your operating system (OS), the installation process varies slightly. Below, we’ve outlined the steps for you.

Installation Instructions

  • Linux:
    • Use the following command to install mbt:
    • curl -L -o /usr/local/bin/mbt [get the url for your target from the links below]
    • Make it executable:
    • chmod +x /usr/local/bin/mbt
  • Windows: Local builds on Windows are not currently supported, but check the specifics in the CI scripts.
  • macOS: Follow similar steps to those in Linux for installation.

Releases

For downloading stable releases or the development channel, choose your OS from the list below:

Building Locally

To build mbt locally on Linux, follow these steps:

  1. Ensure you have the latest versions of cmake and pkg-config installed on your system.
  2. Get the code using:
  3. go get github.com/mbtproject/mbt
  4. Change to the source directory:
  5. cd $GOPATH/src/github.com/mbtproject/mbt
  6. Run the following commands to build and install:
  7. make build
  8. Finally, install the binary:
  9. make install
  10. Ensure that $GOPATH/bin is in your system path to execute the mbt binary conveniently.

Understanding mbt’s Features

mbt offers several powerful features that make it a robust tool for managing monorepos:

  • Differential Builds: Only build what’s necessary!
  • Content Based Versioning: Manage versions based on content changes.
  • Build Dependency Management: Track dependencies seamlessly.
  • Dependency Visualisation: Easily visualize dependencies in your project.
  • Template Driven Deployments: Deploy with templates to streamline the process.

Code Analogy: Building with mbt

Think of using mbt like conducting a grand orchestra. Different instruments represent different parts of your project, each with their own important role to play. Just like an orchestra needs a conductor to ensure that all musicians play in harmony, you need mbt to coordinate the builds of the various parts of your monorepo. With its differential builds, it’s like deciding which instruments need to play louder or softer based on the music being performed at that moment, maximizing efficiency without compromising the overall experience!

Troubleshooting Tips

Facing issues during installation or while using mbt? Here are some troubleshooting tips to help you out:

  • Ensure all dependencies (like cmake and pkg-config) are up-to-date before building locally.
  • If you cannot execute the mbt binary, double-check that $GOPATH/bin is included in your system’s PATH variable.
  • For specifics related to Windows builds, refer to the CI scripts mentioned earlier.

If issues persist, please check the Github issues for support and community input. For more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.

In Closing

At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.

With mbt, managing builds in a monorepo has never been easier or more flexible. It’s time to elevate your development process to the next level!

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