I've just completed the transition from "make" to "
SCons" as
the Ca3DE build system, as well as the transition to
Visual C++
2005 as the main Ca3DE compiler under Microsoft Windows.
SCons is a software construction tool that solves the problems
that are inherent to the traditional "make" tool. Most importantly, SCons makes
the management of complex, hierarchically organized projects possible. For
example, Ca3DE currently supports the Windows and Linux platforms. On Windows,
it supports the Visual C++ 6, Visual C++ 8 (2005) and OpenWatcom compilers, and
under Linux it supports the GCC. For each platform/compiler combination,
debug-, relase- and profile-code can be built. SCons makes it easy to add new
platforms, compilers and build modes, even if the project is organized across
several directories and sub-directories.
Visual Studio C/C++ 2005 is the new compiler from Microsoft.
Besides being a very good compiler, its
Express
Edition is available at no cost from Microsoft. This makes
Visual C/C++ 2005 the ideal compiler for Ca3DE under the Microsoft Windows
platforms, as all MOD developers can now get the required compiler for
free.
Once more I would like to point out that these two items are just some among
several others that are currently under development at the same time.
The development items are generally organized around the main development of
the upcoming Ca3DE TechDemo, and I expect other features to become complete
during the course of that development.