is it possible to create targets dynamically?

[Michael Sunde <ms...@actional.com>]

Hi,
 
When looking at my build.xml file, there are several targets that are almost identical. The main difference between them is the name of the target and a path. Is it possible to create a target dynamically. I tried using macrodef in ant 1.6 but that did not work:
 
<project name="test" default="all" basedir=".">
<macrodef name="echoTarget">
   <attribute name="name" />
   <sequential>
      <target name="@{name}">
         <echo>@{name} target executed.</echo>
         <!-- the real work goes here. -->
      </target>
   </sequential>
</macrodef>
<echoTarget name="dynamic"/>
<target name="all" depends="dynamic"/>
</project>

Error:
E:\builds\build.xml:11: Following error occured while executing this line
E:\builds\build.xml:5: Could not create task or type of type: target.
 
>From the command line, I would like to be able to do:
   ant dynamic
 
The only way I can think of doing it is to run an xslt on the build file to generate all the targets. Is there another cleaner/simpler solution?
 
Thanks,
Michael
 

Re: is it possible to create targets dynamically?

[Claas Thiele <ct...@ct42.de>]

Michael Sunde wrote:
> Hi,
>  
> When looking at my build.xml file, there are several targets that are almost identical. The main difference between them is the name of the target and a path. Is it possible to create a target dynamically. I tried using macrodef in ant 1.6 but that did not work:
>  
> <project name="test" default="all" basedir=".">
> <macrodef name="echoTarget">
>    <attribute name="name" />
>    <sequential>
>       <target name="@{name}">
>          <echo>@{name} target executed.</echo>
>          <!-- the real work goes here. -->
>       </target>
>    </sequential>
> </macrodef>
> <echoTarget name="dynamic"/>
> <target name="all" depends="dynamic"/>
> </project>
> 
> Error:
> E:\builds\build.xml:11: Following error occured while executing this line
> E:\builds\build.xml:5: Could not create task or type of type: target.
>  
>>>From the command line, I would like to be able to do:
>    ant dynamic
>  
> The only way I can think of doing it is to run an xslt on the build file to generate all the targets. Is there another cleaner/simpler solution?
>  
> Thanks,
> Michael
>  
> 
Migrating several identical targets using macrodef means:

Targets have to be tasks.

Explanation:

old style:
<target name="foo1">
   <property name="path" value="bar1"/>
   <!-- doing something with property 'path' -->
</target>

<target name="foo2">
   <property name="path" value="bar2"/>
   <!-- doing the same as above -->
</target>

<target name="all" depends="foo1, foo2"/>

It is possible to remove code duplication using antcall. But antcall is 
slow. Since ant1.6 in most cases macrodef is the solution. But macrodef 
defines tasks, not targets.

<macrodef name="foo">
   <attribute name="path"/>
   <sequential>
     <!-- doing something with attribute 'path' -->
   </sequential>
</macrodef>

<target name="all">
   <foo path="bar1"/>
   <foo path="bar2"/>
</target>

Thinking about further nice features in ant1.6 macrodef is very powerful:

- all tasks can be executed by default placing them directly in project 
root (like it was possible for property before)
- macrodefs attributes can have default values (checking is done if no 
default is given)
- macrodefs can have an uri so using namespaces solves name conflicts
- the <element> element can place xml fragments in macrodefs - it's a 
little bit like aspect oriented programming (setting a cut point) - one 
use case are the inner elements of java task.
- import and antlib can make the build files modular and reusable


Claas
-- 
____________________________________________________________________
Dipl.-Inf. Claas Thiele          	EMail: cthiele@ct42.de
Konradstr. 58                    	Web:   http://ct42.de
04315 Leipzig                    	Tel.: +49 (0)341 68 70 92 29
GERMANY                          	Fax   +49 (0)341 68 70 92 30



---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: user-unsubscribe@ant.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: user-help@ant.apache.org

Re: is it possible to create targets dynamically?

[Matt Benson <gu...@yahoo.com>]

--- Michael Sunde <ms...@actional.com> wrote:
> The only way I can think of doing it is to run an
> xslt on the build file to generate all the targets.
> Is there another cleaner/simpler solution?
>  

I am not clear on what exactly it is you are trying to
do, but chances are good that a dynamic solution
exists.

-Matt

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Hotjobs: Enter the "Signing Bonus" Sweepstakes
http://hotjobs.sweepstakes.yahoo.com/signingbonus

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: user-unsubscribe@ant.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: user-help@ant.apache.org