Anthony LoveFrancisco asked when to write a task, versus make an exec call versus when to use nant scripting. Here's my thoughts:
Tasks serve at least four functions the other two don't: 1) Portability. (as Anthony mentioned) in some cases abstracting the implementation makes something more platform-independant. 2) Reusability. A task can be integrated into NAnt (or NAntContrib) and others can use it (similarly across projects internally). 3) Convenience. Some types of activities are difficult or cumbersome to do via the other two methods. Writing a task allows the task author to provide a facade that simplifies the use of the tool 4) Objectivication. Creating a named entity to refer to an activity. Not all tasks wrap single existing tools. Tasks allow us to create named items to represent a composite activity, or one that has no specific tool correlation. Exec has benefits the other two don't: 1) Quick access to any command. Writing tasks and scripts may be more difficult than calling the command line tool directly, or even via script. 2) Flexibility -- I can call a shell batch file, and vary the batch file by machine, or installation -- harder to do that with a task. 3) Familiarity. If a command line tool is well understood, and easy to use why reinvent the wheel? Scripting too has its own benefits 1) More flexible than using targets, faster than writing a task, possibly more powerful than simply using exec. 2) Allows for behavior that isn't easily done in tasks, or execs, such as looping, or complicated branching logic. I generally use a task if its available, and use exec when its not . I write a task if it seems reusable, and there is enough pain to make the task more attractive than using exec (this comes sooner when the command line tool is a PITA to use). So far, I have only used scripting when the situation was a single case need, and the nant/exec functionality was too limited. Best, Bill William E. Caputo ThoughtWorks, Inc. -------- A Plan is a list of things that don't happen ------------------------------------------------------- This sf.net email is sponsored by:ThinkGeek Welcome to geek heaven. http://thinkgeek.com/sf _______________________________________________ Nant-users mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/nant-users
