
312 CHAPTER 11 Configuration Management, Integration, and Builds
Our experiences with large software development have also taught us to
ensure that if the current build process fails, we are not left with nothing.
That is, the previously “built” system is always kept as a backup. Should the
current build cycle fail, then the system from the last build remains as the
most recent system and may still be used to continue activities such as test-
ing. Having a build file will certainly help us trace and correct some of the
build process errors. The build file can serve as an audit mechanism for the
build process. Since the build cycle for a large syst