canmMode

CanMode is a software development mode used in the Unity game engine, specifically within the Unity Editor. It stands for "Continuous Integration Mode" and is designed to optimize the performance of the Unity Editor when running automated tests or continuous integration (CI) systems. When CanMode is enabled, certain features and optimizations are activated to improve the speed and efficiency of the Editor, making it more suitable for automated workflows.

One of the key benefits of CanMode is that it reduces the overhead associated with certain Editor features, such as the Asset Import Pipeline and the Scene View. This can significantly speed up the time it takes to load scenes, import assets, and run tests, which is crucial for maintaining a fast and reliable CI pipeline.

To enable CanMode, developers can use the command line argument -canMode when launching the Unity Editor. This can be done in various ways, depending on the CI system being used. For example, in a Jenkins pipeline, the command might look like this:

Unity.exe -projectPath /path/to/project -canMode -batchmode -nographics -executeMethod YourNamespace.YourTestRunnerClass.RunTests

In this example, -batchmode and -nographics are additional command line arguments that run the Editor in batch mode without a graphical user interface, and -executeMethod is used to specify the method that runs the tests.

It's important to note that CanMode is not a replacement for a full-fledged CI system, but rather a tool to optimize the performance of the Unity Editor within such a system. It should be used in conjunction with other CI best practices to ensure a robust and efficient development workflow.

In summary, CanMode is a valuable tool for Unity developers working with continuous integration systems. By optimizing the performance of the Unity Editor, it helps to maintain a fast and reliable CI pipeline, ultimately leading to more efficient and effective game development.