Although AWS CodePipeline and AWS CodeBuild are both CI/CD tools, they serve different purposes. CodePipeline refers to a fully managed, continuous delivery service that basically automates the release process for applications. It integrates with other AWS services, such as CodeBuild, CodeDeploy, and CodeCommit, to create a complete CI/CD pipeline. On the other hand, CodeBuild is a fully managed build service that works as a compiler for your source code while also running tests and producing software packages that are 100% ready to deploy. The question in a global debate of codebuild vs codepipeline then arises: why would you use CodeBuild when CodePipeline already has a build stage? Here are four reasons why CodeBuild is better than CodePipeline for building your code.
Build Environments Flexibility
AWS CodeBuild offers a remarkable level of flexibility when it comes to building environments. With CodeBuild, you have the freedom to choose and customize your build environment based on your specific requirements. This means that you can easily create a tailored environment that meets the needs of your project without being limited by predefined configurations. By allowing developers to define their environments, AWS CodeBuild empowers teams to use any desired combination of operating systems, programming languages, and tools.
Serverless Build Architecture
With AWS CodeBuild’s serverless build architecture, there is no need for manual infrastructure provisioning. It leverages managed containers in the cloud, which are spun up as needed to execute your build jobs. This means you only pay for the resources used during each build, resulting in cost savings and increased efficiency. Additionally, the serverless approach eliminates issues related to resource contention and scalability constraints. Since each build job runs in its own isolated container environment, there is no interference between different builds or limitations on concurrent executions. This allows for faster and more reliable builds, even when dealing with a high volume of pipelines running simultaneously.
Parallel and Concurrent Builds
Thanks to AWS CodeBuild, multiple build projects can be executed simultaneously, drastically reducing the overall build time. With traditional build systems, developers often have to wait for one single project to finish before starting another, leading to long wait times and decreased productivity. By allowing multiple builds to run concurrently, CodeBuild enables teams to work efficiently on different projects or branches simultaneously. This not only saves time but also allows for better resource utilization, as idle compute resources can be used for other tasks. Developers no longer need to worry about delays caused by one slow build holding up the entire process. In addition, CodeBuild’s parallelization capabilities make it easy to scale up your building capacity based on demand.
Fine-Grained Build Control
Last but not least, with CodeBuild, developers also have complete control over their build process, allowing them to customize and optimize it according to their specific requirements. This level of control enables developers to fine-tune various aspects such as environment variables, artifacts handling, caching mechanisms, and notification settings. AWS CodeBuild offers a wide range of options for customization, ensuring that developers can tailor …