Using the Continuous Load build definition template

The IBM® i Continuous Load build definition template ensures that the contents and changes in the repository are automatically reflected and updated on the IBM i file system. Updates can be additions, deletions or modifications of source files, members and save files in the repository.

Before you begin

The IBM i Continuous Load is provided as a build definition template. To take advantage of this continuous load function, you must have a build engine running and create a build definition using the supplied template. You should only use this build definition with a dedicated repository workspace for continuous load. The continuous load function is not intended to be used with individual developer repository workspaces.

About this task

With Continuous Load, the file system will be updated according to the updates in the repository. If a new artifact is added in the repository, the agent will run the corresponding system command to add the artifact to the file system and download its contents if applicable. For example, if a member is added to an i Project, then delivered to a stream, it will be added to the library.

The Continuous Load template will also handle changes to artifact properties. For example, source members can have text descriptions that are stored as metadata files in the i Project to which the member belongs. This metadata file is stored in the repository along with the source member. Changes to the text description do not affect the contents of the source member; however, changes to the description have to be reflected on the file system by running the appropriate system command (for example, CHGPFM). Continuous Load will handle these types of changes.

To create a Continuous Load build definition:

Procedure

  1. From the Team Artifacts view, expand the node for the project area, right-click Builds and select New Build Definition.
  2. On the New Build definition page of the wizard, you have the option to create a new build or create a build by copying an existing build. If you are creating a Continuous Load build definition for the first time, select Create a new build and click Next.
  3. On the General Information page, provide an ID for the build definition you are creating and, optionally, a description of the build definition. Select the IBM i Continuous Load – Jazz Build Engine from the list of available build templates. Click Next.
  4. In the Additional Configuration page, there are two options:
    1. General: The General tab allows you to configure general options such as the build engine to use for the build and pruning policy to configure how many results of build runs you want to keep in history and so on.
    2. Schedule: The Schedule tab allows you to schedule continuous loads to run at a certain interval or at a specific time on certain days.
    You can select both options here.
  5. Click Finish to create the build definition for continuous load.