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<para>
The &SCons; tool provides an easy-to-use, feature-rich interface
for constructing software. Architecturally, &SCons; separates
its dependency analysis and external object management into an
interface-independent Build Engine that could be embedded in any
software system that can run Python.
</para>
<para>
At the command line, &SCons; presents an easily-grasped tool
where configuration files are Python scripts, reducing the need
to learn new build-tool syntax. Inexperienced users can use
intelligent methods that ``do the right thing'' to build software
with a minimum of fuss. Sophisticated users can use a rich set
of underlying features for finer control of the build process,
including mechanisms for easily extending the build process to new
file types.
</para>
<para>
Dependencies are tracked using digital signatures,
which provide more robust dependency analysis than file time
stamps. Implicit dependencies are determined automatically by
scanning the contents of source files, avoiding the need for
laborious and fragile maintenance of static lists of dependencies in
configuration files.
</para>
<para>
The &SCons; tool supports use of files from one or more central code
repositories, a mechanism for caching derived files, and parallel
builds. The tool also includes a framework for sharing build
environments, which allows system administrators or integrators to
define appropriate build parameters for use by other users.
</para>
<section id="sect-document">
<title>About This Document</title>
<para>
This document is an ongoing work-in-progress to write down the ideas
and tradeoffs that have gone, and will go into, the &SCons; design.
As such, this is intended primarily for use by developers and others
working on &SCons;, although it is also intended to serve as a
detailed overview of &SCons; for other interested parties. It will
be continually updated and evolve, and will likely overlap with other
documentation produced by the project. Sections of this document
that deal with syntax, for example, may move or be copied into a user
guide or reference manual.
</para>
<para>
So please don't assume that everything mentioned here has been
decided and carved in stone. If you have ideas for improvements, or
questions about things that don't seem to make any sense, please help
improve the design by speaking up about them.
</para>
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are DocBook REMARKs,
comments about the document
rather than actual document.
I've used these to mark sections that need work,
but also to cite some open design issues.
If you have input on any of these marked issues,
I'm especially eager to hear it.
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</section>
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