Manual Builds
Manual builds refer to the process of compiling, assembling, and preparing software for deployment or testing without the use of automated tools or scripts. This involves manually executing commands, copying files, and configuring settings step-by-step, often in a development or staging environment. It is a foundational skill in software development, though increasingly replaced by automation in modern workflows.
Developers should learn manual builds to understand the underlying steps of software compilation and deployment, which aids in debugging and troubleshooting when automated systems fail. It is particularly useful in small projects, legacy systems, or educational contexts where automation overhead is unnecessary. However, for production environments, it is generally recommended to transition to automated builds for consistency and efficiency.