openSUSE Build Service 2.1 integrates external sources

Novell has released version 2.1 of the openSUSE Build Service, a development platform which allows packages for a wide range of Linux distributions to be generated automatically from the sources. Among the most important new additions is a concept called "source services". Source services allow developers, for instance, to check out source code from an external site via Subversion or Git, generate a tar ball, and use it as a basis for their build project.

Instead of revision control system check-outs, developers can also download entire tar archives from project sites. The "source services" concept makes it unnecessary for Build Service users to store program sources on their local hard disks.

Additionally, the developers have further improved the platform's web interface and integrated features which were previously only available via the command line client. For example, a list of all project changes can now be displayed in the browser, and packages can also be added to other build projects there.

Further improvements have been made to the rights manager, which now allows read and write access to be granted on a more individual basis. For instance, it's now possible to revoke users' write access to security updates while the updates are being tested.

(crve)