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An Interview with CruiseControl config project founder Allan Wick
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Article Topics
What is CruiseControl config? · Where is the project going? Page 2 of 2
Where is the project going?
Stelligent: How easy was it to interface with CruiseControl?
Allan: I am using the JMX/RMI
interface to CruiseControl. It is pretty simple to interface with and I
have actually built a little framework around the interaction to make
it even easier. The framework handles things like reconnecting if the
server restarts, and marshalling objects.
Stelligent: CruiseControl has a fairly large install base- how many people are using CruiseControl config?
Allan: From the latest download numbers on Sourceforge,
there are over 850 downloads of the 1.4 version. There is an average of
5,000 hits per day on the website. Since the application is available
via Webstart,
there are multiple hits each time someone opens that version. I am not
sure how to calculate the actual user base from that though.
Stelligent: What is the release cycle like?
Allan: The release cycle has
been based on functionality and not on a specific timeline. Releases
had been every couple of months, but I have been totally swamped with
other work lately. I am planning on becoming more active with the
project in June.
Stelligent: Good deal.
CruiseControl is an excellent tool and it’s nice to see an ecosystem
developing around it. CruiseControl config provides some handy features
for enhancing the overall CruiseControl experience- given what you’ve
already produced- what features are left?
Allan: There are a number of
big features I would love to get into the application. These features
are along the lines of making it easier to setup the build cycle. I
would really love to have a drag/drop layout tool to allow you to
drag/drop parts into the build cycle. For instance, drag a modification
set onto the canvas and use a properties sheet to configure it.
Other views would show the current schedule for all projects on the build server so you can view/modify the builds.
There are also some more changes I would like to make in
conjunction with the CruiseControl folks in terms of defining the
attributes/relationships of each of the plug-in modules. The main
problem I have is that each time a new build component is added or
modified, I have to modify the attributes and relationships in my
system.
For a complete list, see the project TODO list.
Stelligent: Thank you for your time, Allan, and keep up the great work!
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