Waf is a Python-based framework for configuring, compiling and installing applications. Here are perhaps the most important features of Waf:
- Automatic build order: the build order is computed from input and output files, among others
- Automatic dependencies: tasks to execute are detected by hashing files and commands
- Performance: tasks are executed in parallel automatically, the startup time is meant to be fast (separation between configuration and build)
- Flexibility: new commands and tasks can be added very easily through subclassing, bottlenecks for specific builds can be eliminated through dynamic method replacement
- Extensibility: though many programming languages and compilers are already supported by default, many others are available as extensions
- IDE support: Eclipse, Visual Studio and Xcode project generators (waflib/extras/)
- Documentation: the application is based on a robust model documented in The Waf Book and in the API docs
- Python compatibility: cPython 2.5 to 3.4, Jython 2.5, IronPython, and Pypy
Waf is used in particular by innovative companies such as Avalanche Studios and by open-source projects such as the Samba project. Learn more about Waf by reading The Waf Book.
For researchers and build system writers, Waf also provides a framework for creating custom build systems and package distribution systems.
Download the project from our page on waf.io or from the mirror on freehackers.org.