A-A-P

AAP is a by Bram Moolenaar written in Python program to automate the creation of computer programs, similar to make or Apache Ant addition to the classic automation of the build process also allows finding, downloading, installing and modifying and debugging computer programs. A-A -P has an integrated connection to CVS.

Comparison with make

The result is AAP because Bram Moolenar looked at some classical properties of make as problematic and therefore sought a replacement. Make notes based on the time stamp, whether a created destination is already up to date or needs to be updated. However, time stamps are not a reliable means dar. AAP instead uses a signature ( checksum). In addition, makeup is very dependent on the platform being used. Already porting a Makefile from a UNIX system to another can pose numerous challenges in itself. Porting to a non-UNIX system, such as Windows, provides an additional challenge One of the reasons is that the capabilities of the tool to make the creation of automation, however, do not extend to the necessary functionality so that external programs need to be used ( shell commands ). AAP aims similarly to Apache Ant, make possible the need for as much as possible by own functionality calling external programs, thereby increasing the portability.

Compared with Ant

Compared to Ant AAP has be present from Bram Moolenars view the advantage not to be based on Java and thus require only a relatively small installation of AAP, would otherwise have a Java Virtual Machine. In addition, Ant is only conditionally suitable for C - and C programs to translate. The strengths of Ant are the translation of Java - based software and the processing of XML, eg using XSLT.

Dissemination

A-A -P is currently rarely used. The predominant creating automation tools are still Ant and make.