Part 15. Build System and Tooling

Zig has a built-in build system.

11 items

Section	Title
1	Introduction to `build.zig`
2	Creating Build Steps
3	Adding Dependencies
4	Build Options
5	Cross Compilation
6	Static and Dynamic Linking
7	Release Modes
8	Running Tests
9	Installing Binaries
10	Packaging Applications
11	Build System Changes in Zig 0.16

Writes › Book › Zig › Part 15. Build System and Tooling ›

Introduction to `build.zig`

Zig has a built-in build system.

Writes › Book › Zig › Part 15. Build System and Tooling ›

Creating Build Steps

A Zig build is made from steps.

Writes › Book › Zig › Part 15. Build System and Tooling ›

Adding Dependencies

A Zig project can depend on other Zig packages.

Writes › Book › Zig › Part 15. Build System and Tooling ›

Build Options

A build option is a value passed from the command line into build.zig.

Writes › Book › Zig › Part 15. Build System and Tooling ›

Cross Compilation

Cross compilation means building a program for a different machine than the one you are using.

Writes › Book › Zig › Part 15. Build System and Tooling ›

Static and Dynamic Linking

Linking is the step where the compiler connects your program with the code it depends on.

Writes › Book › Zig › Part 15. Build System and Tooling ›

Release Modes

Zig can build the same program in different optimization modes.

Writes › Book › Zig › Part 15. Build System and Tooling ›

Running Tests

Zig has built-in support for tests.

Writes › Book › Zig › Part 15. Build System and Tooling ›

Installing Binaries

A build does not only compile files. It can also install the results into a predictable output directory.

Writes › Book › Zig › Part 15. Build System and Tooling ›

Packaging Applications

Packaging means preparing your program so another person can download it, install it, and run it.

Writes › Book › Zig › Part 15. Build System and Tooling ›

Build System Changes in Zig 0.16

Zig changes quickly before 1.0. That includes the build system.