GN
GN (Generate Ninja) is a meta-build system used to generate build files for projects, primarily in the Chromium and Fuchsia ecosystems. It produces Ninja build files from a high-level configuration language, enabling fast and efficient builds by automating dependency management and parallel execution. GN is designed to be fast, scalable, and easy to use for large codebases, offering features like conditional compilation and cross-platform support.
Developers should learn GN when working on large-scale projects like Chromium or Fuchsia, as it is the standard build system for these environments, ensuring compatibility and optimized builds. It is particularly useful for managing complex dependencies and enabling rapid iteration in C++ or other compiled languages, where build performance is critical. Use cases include automating build configurations for cross-platform development and integrating with continuous integration pipelines.