Buck vs CMake: What are the differences?

Introduction:

Buck and CMake are both build systems commonly used in software development. While they serve a similar purpose, there are several key differences between the two. This markdown document will outline six specific differences between Buck and CMake.

1. Build Configuration Language: One significant difference between Buck and CMake is the programming language used for build configuration. Buck uses a domain-specific language (DSL) called Starlark, which is a type of Python. On the other hand, CMake uses its own scripting language, which is separate from any other programming language. This distinction in languages can impact the readability and familiarity of the build configuration for developers.

2. Build File Format: Buck and CMake also differ in their build file formats. Buck uses .buck files as its build file format, which is a JSON-like format. In contrast, CMake utilizes CMakeLists.txt files as its build file format, which is a plain text file. The difference in file formats can affect how the build configuration is organized and maintained.

3. Integration with IDEs: Another key difference between Buck and CMake is their integration with integrated development environments (IDEs). Buck has built-in support and plugins for various IDEs, such as IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, and Visual Studio Code. On the other hand, CMake relies on the IDE's ability to understand and process CMakeLists.txt files. This difference in integration can impact the development experience and tooling available to the developers.

4. Dependency Management: Buck and CMake handle dependency management in different ways. Buck has built-in support for fine-grained dependency management, allowing developers to define dependencies at a granular level. In contrast, CMake relies on external dependency management tools, such as Conan or vcpkg, to handle dependencies. The difference in dependency management approaches can impact the complexity and flexibility of managing project dependencies.

5. Build Performance: Buck is known for its emphasis on fast and incremental builds. It achieves this by analyzing the build graph and only building the necessary targets affected by code changes. CMake, on the other hand, may require full rebuilds in certain scenarios, especially when dealing with complex build dependencies. The difference in build performance can impact the development workflow and iteration time.

6. Platform Compatibility: Buck and CMake also differ in their platform compatibility. Buck is primarily designed for Java and Android development, although it does support other programming languages as well. CMake, on the other hand, is more versatile and widely used across various programming languages and platforms, including C, C++, and more. The difference in platform compatibility can affect the choice of build system for specific project requirements.

In Summary, Buck and CMake differ in their build configuration language, build file format, integration with IDEs, dependency management, build performance, and platform compatibility. These differences can impact the developer experience, project organization, and overall build process.