Google Cloud Build vs. FASTBuild

Cloud Build is an entirely serverless platform that automatically adjusts its resources to fit the demand, which removes the necessity for preemptively provisioning servers or paying in advance for additional capacity, thus allowing users to pay only for what they actually use. This flexibility is particularly advantageous for enterprises, as it enables the integration of custom build steps and the use of pre-built extensions for third-party applications, which can smoothly incorporate both legacy and custom tools into ongoing build workflows. To bolster security in the software supply chain, it features vulnerability scanning and can automatically block the deployment of compromised images based on policies set by DevSecOps teams, ensuring higher safety standards. The platform’s ability to dynamically scale eliminates the hassle of managing, upgrading, or expanding any infrastructure. Furthermore, builds are capable of running in a fully managed environment that spans multiple platforms, including Google Cloud, on-premises setups, other public cloud services, and private networks. Users can also generate portable images directly from the source without the need for a Dockerfile by utilizing buildpacks, which simplifies the development process. Additionally, the support for Tekton pipelines operating on Kubernetes not only enhances scalability but also offers the self-healing benefits that Kubernetes provides, all while retaining a degree of flexibility that helps prevent vendor lock-in. Consequently, organizations can dedicate their efforts to improving development processes without the distractions and challenges associated with infrastructure management, ultimately streamlining their overall workflow.

FASTBuild is a powerful, open-source build system that operates seamlessly across Windows, Linux, and OS X platforms. It boasts impressive features for scalable compilation, caching, and network distribution. This tool is utilized by both large gaming studios and independent developers alike, making it a staple in production settings for creating software across diverse platforms such as PC, Mac, Linux, consoles, smartphones, and even older systems. FASTBuild equips users with all the necessary tools to significantly enhance build speed, with performance gains that can surpass tenfold compared to conventional build systems. Designed from the ground up with a focus on parallel compilation, its efficient build pipeline smartly assigns tasks to worker threads, maximizing parallel processing. The system effectively avoids the common dependency challenges faced with Visual Studio/MSBuild, thus providing a more streamlined building experience. In addition to this, FASTBuild offers precise control over CPU core utilization during builds, which helps in minimizing idle time and context switching issues, resulting in more effective resource management. Consequently, developers can anticipate faster turnaround times and heightened productivity throughout their build workflows. Furthermore, the flexibility and scalability of FASTBuild make it an ideal choice for projects of any size, ensuring that development teams can adapt to their specific needs.