Pullbuild

Pullbuild is a software development term referring to a build system or process where the build environment actively "pulls" necessary source code and dependencies from a version control system or repository. This contrasts with traditional "push" models where code is pushed to a central build server. In a pullbuild system, the build agent itself initiates the retrieval of the required artifacts.

This approach is often associated with continuous integration (CI) and continuous delivery (CD) pipelines. When a change is detected in the version control system, the build agent, or a dedicated orchestrator, is triggered to pull the latest code. It then fetches any required libraries, tools, or configurations that are also managed within the repository or accessible via defined artifact repositories.

The benefits of pullbuild include increased security, as external systems don't need write access to the build environment, and improved flexibility, allowing build agents to be more autonomous and potentially distributed. It can also simplify dependency management by ensuring the build always operates on a known, checked-in state of all components. The pull mechanism centralizes the logic for acquiring resources within the build agent, making the build process more self-contained and auditable.