grunt-backbonebuilder 
Build your custom backbone experience with grunt.
Note: This plugin is inspired by Greg Frankos Backbone custom builder & related to Backbones issue #1598
Getting Started
Install this grunt plugin next to your project's [grunt.js gruntfile][getting_started] with: npm install grunt-backbonebuilder
Then add this line to your project's grunt.js gruntfile:
grunt.loadNpmTasks('grunt-backbonebuilder');Overview
Inside your grunt.js file, add a section named backbone. This section specifies the options for the backbone custom build you want to create.
Parameters
include array
This is used to determine which backbone functionality you want to include in your custom build
Available options: ['Model', 'Collection', 'View', 'Events', 'Router']
dest string
The outputfile destination & filename.
The pathname is set relative to your Gruntfile
src string (optional)
This option allows you to chose a different Backbone source file, if it´s not set, the builder will automatically take the latest version available from npm (currently 0.9.2).
The pathname is set relative to your Gruntfile
Config Example
backbone: {
include: ['Model', 'Collection', 'View', 'Events'],
dest: 'build/backbone.custom.js',
src: 'vendor/mySpecialBackboneVersion.js'
}##FAQ
How do you ensure that a custom build works as expected?
When a new version of this plugin is build, I run a couple of custom builds (that will be automazically created for the test run) against Backones testsuite. The build only passes, if all Backbone unit tests pass.
Why doesn't Backbone allow you to do custom builds by default?
Good question. The Backbone Core Dev Team doesn´t want to introduce a higher level of complexity. I have different opinion, so I created this project.
What happens when Backbone upgrades to a different version?
Normally nothing, the builder is version agnostic & if a new version shows up, the builder should continue working as expect.
Why This Project Was Created
I wanted to make it easier for people to only take what they want/need. You should read Greg Frankos article Backbone.js: Convincing the Boss Guide he has some good points and explains them in detail.
Why (or when) should I use custom builds
Backbone.js Custom Builds allow you to individually download only the Backbone.js modules that your project needs (the only required module is the Events module). With custom builds, you could use the Backbone Events class object as a standalone pub/sub solution, or only use Backbone Views to organize all of your app's event handlers, or use Backbone Models to store all of your applications data client-side, etc (all while minimizing your file size). The possibilities are endless! (not really but you get the point)
Resources
Release History
Take a look at the Changelog
License
Copyright (c) 2012 asciidisco Licensed under the MIT license.