Patent Abstract:
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a process that includes receiving, during a computer programming process for a software program, a specification of a software module having a defined functionality for use by the software program. The software module is stored in a central repository having different versions of the software module. The process also includes compiling the software program. The compilation initiates steps including filtering versions of the software module that do not meet the specification. The specification corresponds to more than one version of the software module. The steps also include selecting, from versions that have not been filtered out, a version of the software module. The selection is based on one or more predetermined rules. The process also includes returning the selected version of the software module for local storage with the software program.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This instant specification relates to programming and compiling software projects. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Software applications may depend on external executable code for their proper functioning. For example, some applications use dynamic linked libraries (DLLs) to perform common functions. During programming of an application, a user includes specific references to external resources in the application&#39;s source code. After compilation of the application, the application uses these references to access the external resources when needed. 
     SUMMARY 
     In general, this document describes methods and systems for programming and compiling software projects so that dependencies references by a software project are automatically retrieved. 
     In a first general aspect, a process of programming and compiling computer-executable code is described. The process includes receiving, during a computer programming process for a software program, a specification of a software module having a defined functionality for use by the software program. The software module is stored in a central repository having different versions of the software module. The process also includes compiling the software program. The compilation initiates steps including filtering versions of the software module that do not meet the specification. The specification corresponds to more than one version of the software module. The steps also include selecting, from versions that have not been filtered out, a version of the software module. The selection is based on one or more predetermined rules. The process also includes returning the selected version of the software module for local storage with the software program. 
     In a second general aspect, a computer-implemented process of returning, during a compilation process, a shared artifact for use by a software program is described. The process includes receiving a request for a shared artifact for use by a software program. The request includes one or more parameters that partially specify the requested shared artifact. The process also includes accessing a central repository that stores different versions of the requested shared artifact that are available for use and selecting a version of the shared artifact. The selection includes excluding versions of the shared artifact that do not meet the partial specification provided by the one or more parameters and selecting, from versions of the shared artifact that have not been excluded, the version of the shared artifact based on one or more predetermined rules. The process also includes outputting the selected version of the shared artifact for local storage with the software program. 
     The systems and techniques described here may provide one or more of the following advantages. First, the systems and methods permit a latest version of a referenced resource to be incorporated into a software project during compilation. Second, a mask can be used to ensure compatibility with some revisions, while allowing the selection of the most recent versions of other revisions. Third, a central repository can be used to permit resources to be conveniently shared among multiple software developers. Fourth, a plug-in to a standard development environment may be used to manage dynamic fetching of referenced resources. 
     The details of one or more embodiments of the described features are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an example system for programming and compiling computer executable code. 
         FIG. 2  is a flow diagram illustrating an example process for compiling a software application. 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  are schematic diagrams illustrating examples of syntax for requesting software modules. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example index used to identify software modules. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating an example process for querying a local and remote cache for a software module. 
         FIG. 6  is a flow diagram illustrating an example process for requesting a software module from a local storage location. 
         FIG. 7  is a flow diagram illustrating an example process for retrieving a software module from a repository. 
         FIG. 8  is a flow diagram illustrating an example process for publishing a software module to a repository. 
         FIG. 9  is a flow diagram illustrating an example process for storing a software module in a repository. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example system having more than one repository. 
     
    
    
     Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This document describes systems and techniques for compiling software application using a central repository. In an example software development system, a computer system can use various software modules, such as executable code (e.g., code libraries), images, and/or data, to build or test a software project. In one implementation, the computer system can retrieve software modules from the central repository. For example, in response to a query, the central repository can return the required software modules. In some examples, the central repository can return a most recent version of the requested software modules to the computer system. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an example software development system  100  for programming and compiling computer executable code. The software development system  100  includes a computer system  102  and a remote server  104 . The remote server  104  includes a central repository  106 . In some examples, the computer system  102  can retrieve various software modules from the central repository  106  to develop a software project. In some implementations, the central repository  106  can return a most recent version of the required software modules to the computer system  102 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the computer system  102  includes a local storage  108  and a software development application  110 . For example, the local storage  108  can be a magnetic storage device (e.g., a hard disk drive), a semiconductor storage device (e.g., a flash memory), an optical disc storage device (e.g., DVD-RW), or a combination thereof. In some implementations, data stored in the local storage  108  can be organized in a file system. For example, directories and subdirectories can be created in the local storage  108 , and the data can be stored within the directories and/or the subdirectories. 
     The software development application  110  can be used to create software projects. For example, a user can use the software development application  110  to design, code, debug, compile, and/or build software projects. In some implementations, the software development application  110  includes a build platform (e.g., MSBuild of Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.) to compile and build software projects developed using the software development application  110 . 
     In one implementation, the software development application  110  can build software projects based on a user specified code. For example, the user specified code (e.g., an extensible markup language (XML) syntax, shell script, or other project building utility syntax) can include compilation instructions for the software projects. The code also can reference software modules (e.g., source code files, software library, assemblies, and/or other data or media) to be included in the build. 
     In certain implementations, the software development application  110  includes a dependency manager plug-in  112 . For example, the dependency manager plug-in  112  can be installed in the software development application  110  to retrieve software modules referenced by source code for a software application being developed. For example, the dependency manager plug-in  112  can process the source code to identify the referenced software modules, and can determine which of the referenced software modules are to be fetched from the remote server  104 . For example, if a referenced software module is not stored locally or is older than a version stored in the central repository  106 , then the dependency manager plug-in  112  can access the remote server  104  and retrieve the referenced software modules to the computer system  102 . 
     The dependency manager plug-in  112  includes a parser  114 , a mask constructor  116 , an interface  118 , and a file manager  120 . In some implementations, the parser  114  can, upon compilation, parse the source code to determine referenced software modules used in a software project. For example, if the source code is formatted in XML, then the parser  114  can parse the XML code to identify XML tags associated with references that specify the dependent software modules that the application being compiled uses. For example, the XML tags can include names, version information, and/or other metadata associated with the referenced software modules. 
     In some implementations, the mask constructor  116  uses the parsed source code from the parser  114  to generate one or more identifiers to request target the referenced software modules. For example, each of the identifiers can include a name of the referenced software module and a mask, which is used to fully or partially specify a version of the software module. In one implementation, the mask constructor  116  can generate a mask, which is used to retrieve a latest version of a software module. For example, a mask generated by the mask constructor  116  can specify a version corresponding to a particular major revision of the referenced software module while leaving the specific minor revision unspecified (e.g., a version compatible with the major revision “1.x” is specified, but a particular minor revision is not specified so that both versions “1.1” and “1.5” are acceptable). Because the minor version is unspecified, the most recent minor version (e.g., 1.5 in the example above) can be retrieved from the central repository  106 , as explained more fully below. Exemplary formats for masks are described with reference to  FIGS. 3A-3C . 
     Using the interface  118 , the dependency manager plug-in  112  can transmit a software module request  122  to the remote server  104 . In one example, the interface  118  can generate the software module request  122  using the identifier output from the mask constructor  116 . In the depicted example, the software module request  122  includes filter criteria  124 . For example, the filter criteria  124  can include a set of filtering requirements related to the metadata of the required software modules. 
     The remote server  104  includes a central repository index  126  and a filtering module  128 . In certain implementations, the remote server  104  can use the central repository index  126  and the filter module  128  to filter and select the referenced software module based on the received software module request  122 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the central repository  106  can include software modules  130  and debug files  132 . For example, the central repository  106  can include multiple versions of a software module. In the depicted example, the central repository  106  stores four versions  134   a ,  134   b ,  134   c ,  134   d  of a software module X. In some implementations, the versions  134   a - d  can be published to the central repository  106  by the computer system  102  or by other computer systems (not shown). The debug files  132 , in some implementations, are used by the software development application  110  in debugging errors associated with a software. The debug files can be used as a proxy for the source code for debugging errors that occur in association with software modules that include only binary code (e.g., no source code). 
     In some implementations, the central repository index  126  can include a lookup file or a catalog that stores information, such as a directory path that include a software module&#39;s identifier, version information, time stamps (e.g., when a software module is posted to the central repository), status indicators (e.g., stable, rejected, or pending), or other metadata related to the software modules  130 . One example of the central repository index  126  is described with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     In some implementations, the remote server  104  can use the central repository index  126  and filter criteria  124  to filter versions of software modules  130  stored in the central repository  106 . In one example, the remote server  104  can compare a software module name included in the filter criteria  124  with the software module names in the central repository index  126  to select versions of the software modules  130 . For example, the remote server  104  may receive a request for a software module named “Game Engine.” The remote server  104  can access the central repository index  126  to select, for example, all versions of a software module that has the name “Game Engine.” 
     As described above, the selected software module having a name that matches the name in the request  122  may have several versions. The remote server  104  can use the filter criteria to eliminate some of the several versions from further consideration. For example, the filtering criteria  122  can specify a major revision but leave the minor, patch, and build information unspecified. The remote server  104  can remove from consideration all versions that do not match the specified major revision. 
       FIG. 1  shows an example of a process in which the remote server  104  selects a single version to return based on the filter criteria  124 . In this example, the filter criteria  124  specifies “software module X” as the name of a requested software module and specifies “1.0.x.x.” as a mask for the requested version. In this implementation, the mask has the following format—Major.minor.Patch.Build (MmPB), where “Major” indicates a major revision, “minor” indicates a minor revision, “Patch” indicates a revision to repair a bug or deficiency, and “Build” indicates a particular compilation of the software module. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , four versions of the software module X are stored in the central repository  106 , a version “0.9.1.2”  134   a , a version “1.0.1.1 1”  34   b , a version “1.0.2.4”  134   c , and a version “1.5.1.3”  134   d . By matching the mask to the software modules version numbers  134   a - d , the filtering module  128  can filter out software modules with the version numbers “0.9.1.2”  134   a  and “1.5.1.3”  134   d  because the major.minor version of the versions 0.9.1.2  134   a  and 1.5.1.3  134   d  does not match the specified major.minor version “1.0.” 
     In certain implementations, the remote server  104  selects a version to return from the remaining versions  134   b - c  according to one or more predetermined rules. For example, the remote server  104  can select the version 1.0.2.4  134   c  because the version 1.0.2.4  134   c  is newer than the version 1.0.1.1  134   b  as indicated by a higher patch value “2” (as opposed to the patch value “1” for the version 1.0.1.1  134   b.    
     In another example, the remote server  104  can receive filter criteria  132  that include a name of the referenced software module without specifying any particular version. For instance, the filter criteria  124  may only specify that the requested software is named “software module X.” In such an example, the remote server  104  can select the version 1.5.1.3  134   d  to be returned because the version 1.5.1.3  134   d  is the most recent among the versions  134   a - d  as indicated by the major revision value “1” and minor version value “5.” 
     In another example, the software module request  122  can specify an exact version of the software module X to be selected. For example, the filter criteria  124  can specify that the software module&#39;s name is “software module X” and the mask is version number “0.9.1.2.” In such an example, the filtering module  128  can filter out all of the versions  134   b - d  because only version  134   a  exactly matches the filter criteria  124 . The remote server  104  then selects the version 0.9.1.2  134   a  for returning to the computer system  102  because the version 0.9.1.2  134   a  is the only remaining version. 
     In the depicted example of  FIG. 1 , the remote server  104  returns a selected software module  140  to the dependency manager plug-in  112 . For example, the remote server  104  can access the central repository  106  to retrieve the selected version of the referenced software module. Additionally, the remote server  104  can identify and retrieve one or more associated debug files for the selected software module. Through a network (e.g., the Internet), the remote server  104  can return the selected software modules  140  and the associated debug files  142  to the dependency manager plug-in  112 . In some implementations, multiple files or software modules can be requested using one software module request  122 . Additionally, in some implementations, the remote server  104  can return more than one software module to the dependency manager plug-in  112 . 
     In some implementations, after receiving the software module  140  and the associated debug file  142 , the dependency manager plug-in  112  can use the file manager  120  to store the software module  140  and the associated debug file  142  in the local storage  108 . For example, the file manager  120  can create directories in the local storage  108  in which to store the received software module  140  and the associated debug file  142 . In some implementations, the file manager  120  can identify and store the software in an output directory used by the software development application  110  to store executable and other code that is associated with the software project or application currently being developed. 
     In some examples, the software development application  110  can use the software modules stored in the output directory in the build of the software project. The software modules can be received substantially concurrent with a compilation of a software project using the received software module according to certain implementations. 
     FIGS.  2  and  5 - 9  are flow charts of example processes  200 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700 ,  800 , and  900 , respectively, for programming and for compiling a computer executable code. The processes  200 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700 ,  800 , and  900  may be performed, for example, by a system such as the software development system  100  and, for clarity of presentation, the description that follows uses the software development system  100  as the basis of an example for describing the processes. However, another system, or combination of systems, may be used to perform the processes  200 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700 ,  800 , and  900 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the process  200  can be used for compiling a software application. For example, the software application can be developed using the software development application  110 . The process  200  begins with initiating compilation of software application on a local machine ( 202 ). For example, the software development application  110  can initiate a compilation of application code to generate a software application using the computer system  102 . 
     The process  200  includes retrieving a software module referenced by application code ( 204 ). For example, the dependency manager plug-in  112  can parse the application code to obtain identifiers for software modules referenced by the application code. In one implementation, the software development application  110  can store the application code in XML format, and the dependency manager plug-in  112  can parse the XML tags to obtain identifiers for the referenced software modules. 
     Next, the process  200  includes searching a central repository for the referenced software module ( 206 ). For example, the filtering module  128  can access and search the central repository index  126  using the filter criteria  124  associated with the referenced software modules. 
     The process  200  includes determining whether the referenced software module is found ( 208 ). In one example, the filtering module  128  can determine whether the referenced software module is found based on a name of the referenced software module. For example, the filtering module  128  can determine that the referenced software module is not in the central repository  106  if the central repository index  126  does not include any entry having the name of the referenced software module. 
     If the referenced software module is not found, then the process  200  includes throwing an exception ( 210 ) and the process  200  ends. For example, the remote server  104  can transmit an error message to the computer system  102  indicating that the referenced software module is not found. 
     If the referenced software module is found, then the process  200  proceeds to determine whether software modules stored at the local machine are more recent than the software modules stored at the central repository ( 212 ). For example, the dependency manager plug-in  112  can determine whether software modules in the local storage  108  are associated with a more recent version number than the software modules stored at the central repository  106 . 
     The process  200  includes selecting the software module in the local machine ( 214 ) if the software module in the local machine is newer than the software modules from the central repository. For example, if dependency manager plug-in  112  determines that software module in the local storage  108  is more recent than the software modules stored in the central repository  106 , then the dependency manager plug-in  112  can select the software module in the local storage for compilation of the software application. 
     The process  200  also includes selecting the software module in the central repository based on filtering criteria ( 216 ) if the software module in the local machine is not newer than the software modules from the central repository. For example, the remote server  104  can identify the requested software name using an identifier specified in a request for the software module. Once a particular software module has been selected, the remote server  104  compare the various versions of the identified software module located in the central repository  106  and select, for example, the most recent version. 
     The process  200  can include copying the selected software module to a project output directory on the local machine ( 218 ). For example, the file manager  120  can copy the selected software module to the project output directory after receiving the software module from the central repository  106 . In another example, if the software module in the local storage  108  is selected, then the dependency manager plug-in  112  can copy the software module in the local storage  108  to the project output directory. 
     After copying the selected software modules, the process  200  includes completing the compilation of software application ( 220 ). For example, the software development application  110  can complete compilation of the software application if all of the referenced software modules are included in the project output directory. 
     Next, the process  200  optionally includes publishing the software application to central repository ( 222 ) and the process  200  ends. For example, the dependency manager plug-in  212  can publish the newly compiled software application to the central repository  106 . In some examples, other developers connected to the remote server  104  can develop software using the newly compiled software application. Some example processes for posting the software modules to the central repository  106  are described with reference to  FIG. 8 . 
     By publishing and retrieving software modules from the central repository  106 , the software development system  100  can allow software developers to independently work on separate software modules of a software project. Use of the central repository also permits global sharing of the latest version of a particular software module. The version can be uploaded to the central repository and automatically retrieved by the dependency plug-in. Use of the mask enables retrieval of the latest version of a referenced software module even if the specific version of the software module is not referenced in source code being compiled. For example, the source code that references the software module only may require compatibility with the major revision “2” of a software module. Use of the mask allows the most updated version that complies with version “2” (e.g., all minor, patch, and build updates for major revision “2”) to be returned by the remote server. Use of the central repository permits new versions that are compatible with the major revision “2” to be automatically retrieved and integrated into the application being compiled as soon as the new versions are uploaded to the central repository. 
     In some examples, a team of collaborating software developers can use a central repository to share software modules, which are functional but not ready for release in software products. For example, a software developer can compile a software project, which is still under active development, using the system  100 , and this project can be published to the central repository  106 , so that the developers can access it for testing or other purposes. 
       FIGS. 3A-3C  are schematic diagrams illustrating example syntaxes of requests  300 ,  330 ,  360  for software modules. As shown in  FIG. 3A , the syntax of request  300  includes a name and a mask. For example, the name can be a name of the referenced software module. In some implementations, the mask can be specified in a MmPB format, which as discussed above, represents, for example, a major version (M), a minor version (m), a bug fix version (P), and a particular build (B) of the referenced software module. In one example, the syntax of request  300  can partially or entirely specify complete version numbers. The filtering module  128  can filter the software modules, for example, using the specified name and the mask. For example, the mask constructor  116  can generate a request “Request(Socket Library, 3.x.x.x)” to request a latest version of a “Socket Library” module compatible with major version “3.” 
     In some implementations, the mask can be a set of identifiers that are applied to a complete version number to determine what should be masked. As shown in  FIG. 3B , the syntax of request  300  includes a name, a version, and a mask. For example, the mask can be a set of identifiers indicating what portion of the complete version number is to be masked out. As an illustrative example, the referenced software module can be a software module Foo.dll, where a reference within an application&#39;s source code to Foo.dll is for version 1.0.0.2. In one example, the syntax of the request  330  can specify “Request(name=“Foo”, Version=1.0.0.2, Mm).” In this example, the identifiers “Mm” mean that the version number is unspecified except for the major and minor version numbers. In some implementations, the remote server  104  can return a latest published software module that matches the specified of Major.minor version. For example, the remote server  104  may return “Foo.dll” with version=1.0.2.79 (e.g., 1.0.2.79 may be the latest version published for this software module). 
     As shown in  FIG. 3C , the syntax of request  360  includes fields for specifying other filtering criteria. The syntax  360  specifies a name, a mask, a stability indicator, a time stamp, a size, a culture, a public key, and other metadata of the referenced software module. Each of the parameters included in the syntax can also remain partially or completely unspecified. For example, the time stamp may indicate that a version on a particular day be returned, but the particular hour may not be specified. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example index  400  used to identify software modules. In some implementations, the central repository index  126  can be formatted in a similar fashion to the format of the index  400 . In the depicted example, the index  400  includes columns that include software module name  402 , location  404 , major revision  406 , minor revision  408 , patch  410 , build  412 , stability indicator  414 , time stamp  416 , size  418 , culture  420 , public key  422 , and other metadata  424 . 
     As shown, the index  400  includes entries  430   a - d ,  440   a - c ,  450   a - b  of various software modules. For example, the entries  430   a - d  identify computer executable codes stored in the central repository  106 . For example, the entries  440   a - c  identify sets of test data, and the entries  450   a - b  identify images stored in the central repository  106 . 
     In the depicted example, the software module name column  402  specifies a name of the software module related to each of the entry. The location column  404  specifies a location in which the software module of the entry can be retrieved from the central repository  106 . The major revision, minor revision, patch, and build columns  406 ,  408 ,  410 ,  412  each specify values used in a version number of each of the software modules. The stability indicator  414  indicates a status of executable codes stored in the central repository  106 . 
     For example, executable code can be pending, stable, or rejected. Executable code having a “pending” status may indicate that the associated code is still being evaluated (e.g., it is being tested to ensure it does not have errors). Executable code having a “stable” status may indicate that the associated code has passed a testing process and is ready for release. Executable code having a “rejected” status may indicate that the associated code has failed one or more aspects of a test, but may have some working functionality. 
     A size column  418  indicates the size of the software module represented by each entry. A culture column  420  indicates whether a software module is developed specifically for a particular culture. For example, a software module may include text, which is displayed. A “culture” value, associated with the United States (represented by US in the column  420 ) and Germany (represented by DE in the column  420 ) identifies a particular culture for which the software module is appropriate. In some examples, a software module can also be culturally neutral (e.g., the software module does not have a user interface aspect), as indicated by the “*” in the column  420 . 
     The public key  422  column can include or indicate a public key for each of the software modules. For example, the public key can be used as a signature for the software module indicating that it has remained unchanged since being uploaded to the central repository. The software development application  110  can use the signature to validate that the software module remains unchanged before retrieving it for integration with a software project being compiled. 
     The other metadata column  424  can include other metadata about the software module version represented by each of the index entries. In the depicted example, the entry  430   c  includes a comment (“Failed Test E”) that specifies a reason software module version was rejected. Other metadata can also be included in the other metadata column  424 . 
     In some implementations, the filtering module  128  can use the index  400  in filtering software modules according to the filter criteria  122 . For example, the filtering module  128  can filter versions of the software modules based on the filter criteria included in the requests  300 ,  330 , and/or  360 . For example, the filtering module  128  may receive a request “Request(Socket Library, 3.x.x.x).” In such an example, the filtering module  128  can use the index  400  to filter software modules using the name and the mask specified by the received request. In the depicted example, four versions of a software module named “socket library” are stored in the central repository  106  as shown by the entries  430   a - d . Within the entries  430   a - d , the filtering module  128  can select the entries  430   c - d  using the mask “3.x.x.x” because the entries  430   c - d  are compatible with major version of “3,” while the versions associated with the entries  430   a - b  are not. 
     After filtering based on the mask, the remote server  104  can select one of the remaining versions to return to the dependency manager plug-in. In some implementations, the remote server  104  selects the version to return based on one or more predetermined rules. In one example, the remote server  104  can include a rule to select a most recent version from the remaining versions after filtering. Using the above example, the remote server  104  may select the version 3.4.1.5 (associated with the entry  430   c ) to return to the client device because it is the latest version. In another example, the remote server  104  can include a rule to select a stable version from the remaining versions after filtering. For example, the remote server  104  can compare the stability indicator  414  of the remaining entries and select an entry with a “pending” stability indicator. Using the above example, the remote server  104  may select the version 3.3.6.2 (the entry  430   d ) because the entry  430   d  has a “pending” stability indicator. 
     In some implementations, more complex rules can be used to select the software modules. For example, the remote server  104  can select the most recent version that also has a stability indicator (e.g., stable is preferred over pending, which is preferred over rejected). 
     For example, the remote server  104  can receive a request “Request(Socket Library, 2.1.1.0, Mm).” Based on the received request, in some implementations, the remote server  104  can, first, filter the entries  430   a - d  using the mask to filter out versions without the major.minor version “2.1.” Secondly, the remote server can select one of the remaining versions based on the predetermined rules. In some examples, a rule can specify that the remote server  104  first selects a “stable” version from the remaining versions. If there is more than one stable version, then the remote server  104  selects a most recent version of the software modules that are listed as stable. For example, the remote server  104  may select the version 2.1.0.1  430   b  in this example. 
     In some implementations, the computer system  102  can use the request  360  to specify the mask and other filtering criteria. As an illustrative example, the computer system  102  can transmit a request “Request(Socket Library, 3.x.x.x, rejected, x, x, US, A2E, “Failing Test E”)” to the remote server  104 . Based on the information specified in the request, the remote server  104  can filter and select the entry  430   c.    
     The requests  300 ,  330 ,  360  can also be used to query for other file types, such as data files or media files, from the central repository  106 . In one example, the computer system  102  can request the Cursor Wait Image by transmitting “Request(Cursor Wait Image, 2.x.x.x)” to the remote server  104 . In this example, the remote server  104  can return the software module represented by the image represented by the entry  450   b  to the computer system  102  because the image associated with the entry  450   b  is more recent (e.g., it has a major version “2” while the image associated with the entry  450   a  has a version “1”). 
     In another example, the computer system  102  can request a test data file (e.g., a file containing, in ASCII format, test inputs and expected outputs to an executable software module) by transmitting “Request(Socket Test Data, 3.x.x.x, NA, *, *, DE, QDE)” to the remote server  104 . In response, the remote server  104  can return the software module represented by the entry  440   b  to the computer system  102  because the test data associated with the entry  440   b  more accurately matches the request (e.g., it has a culture value of “DE” while the test data associated with the entry  440   a  has a culture value of “US”). 
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating an example process  500  for querying a local cache and remote repository for a software module. For example, the process  500  may be performed by the dependency manager plug-in  112 . The process  500  begins with determining whether a system performing the process  500  is connected to a remote server ( 502 ). For example, the dependency manager plug-in  112  can determine whether the computer system  102  is connected to the remote server  104 . 
     If the performing system is not connected to the remote server, then the process  500  includes determining whether a requested software module exists in a local cache ( 504 ). For example, the dependency manager plug-in  112  can access the local storage  108  to determine whether the requested software module exists in the local storage  108 . 
     If the software module does not exist in a local cache, then the process  500  includes throwing an exception ( 506 ) and the process  500  ends. For example, the dependency manager plug-in  112  can indicate the software module is unavailable, and the software development application  110  can throw an exception indicating an error. 
     If the software module exists in a local cache, then the process  500  returns the software module from the local cache ( 508 ) and the process  500  ends. For example, the dependency manager plug-in  112  can return a storage location of the software module(s) in the local storage  108 . 
     At step  502 , if the system is connected to the remote server, then the process  500  includes determining whether the software module exists at the server ( 510 ). For example, the dependency manager plug-in  112  can query the remote server  104  to determine whether the software module is stored in the central repository  106 . 
     If the software module is not stored in the central repository  106 , then the operation at step  504  is performed as discussed above. In contrast, if the software module is stored in the central repository  106 , then the process  500  also proceeds to determine whether the software module exists in the local cache ( 512 ). For example, the dependency manager plug-in  112  can access the local storage  108  to determine whether the requested software module exists in the local storage  108 . 
     If the software module does not exist in the local cache, then the process  500  includes retrieving the software module from the remote server ( 514 ). For example, the dependency manager plug-in  112  can transmit a request for the software module from the central repository  106 . 
     Next, the process  500  includes storing the retrieved software module in a local cache ( 516 ) and the operation at step  508  is performed as discussed above. For example, the dependency manager plug-in  112  can store the retrieved software module in the local storage  108  and return the location of the software module in the local storage  108 . 
     At step  512 , if the software module exists in the local cache, then the process  500  includes determining whether the software module at the server is newer than the software module stored in the local cache ( 518 ). For example, the dependency manager plug-in  112  can compare version numbers or time stamps of the software modules in the central repository  106  and in the local storage  108 . 
     If the software module at the server is newer, then the operation at step  514  is performed as discussed above. If the software module at the server is not newer, then the operation at step  508  is performed as discussed above. 
       FIG. 6  is a flow diagram illustrating an example process  600  for requesting a software module from a local storage location. For example, the software development application  110  can use the process  600  to request one or more software modules from the local storage  108 . 
     The process  600  begins with requesting a software module ( 602 ). For example, the software development application  110  can request a software module using the dependency manager plug-in  112 , during compilation of a software project. 
     Next, the process  600  determines whether the software module exists in a local cache ( 604 ). For example, the dependency manager plug-in  112  can perform the process  500  (See  FIG. 5 ) to determine whether the software module exists in the cache either before or after the remote server  104  is queried. 
     If the software module does not exist in the cache, then the process  600  can throw an exception ( 606 ), and the process  600  ends. For example, the software development application  110  can throw an exception to indicate that the software module is not in the local storage  108 . 
     If the software module exists in the cache, at step  608 , the requested software module is copied from the cache to an output directory, and the process  600  ends. For example, the software development application  110  can copy the software module from a current location in the local storage  108  to an output directory of the software project (e.g., a bin directory of the software project). 
       FIG. 7  is a flow diagram illustrating an example process  700  for retrieving a software module from a repository. For example, the dependency manager plug-in  112  can use the process  700  to retrieve software modules from the central repository  106 . Using the process  700 , the dependency manager plug-in  112  can retrieve referenced software modules based on a software module request (e.g., the software module request  122 ). 
     The process  700  begins with requesting a software module ( 702 ). For example, the dependency manager plug-in  112  can request a software module by transmitting a request (e.g., a request using one of the syntax formats  300 ,  330 , or  360 ) to the remote server  104 . In one implementation, the request can include a name, a version, and a mask of the requested software module. 
     Next, the process  700  includes accessing an index of software modules ( 704 ). For example, the dependency manager plug-in  112  can access the central repository index  126 . 
     After accessing the index, the process  700  includes determining whether the software module exists in the index ( 706 ). For example, the dependency manager plug-in  112  can search the central repository index  126  for an index entry with a name matching the software module name. 
     If the software module does not exist in the index, then the process  700  includes throwing an exception ( 708 ) and the process  700  ends. For example, the dependency manager plug-in  112  can throw an exception to indicate that the software module is not found in the central repository  106 . 
     If the software module exists in the index, then the process  700  performs step  710 , which involves filtering out entries based on version information specified by the mask. For example, the filtering module  128  can filter the versions represented by the entries  430   a - d  of the socket library using a mask specified by one of the syntax formats  300 ,  330 ,  360 . 
     Next, the process  700  includes selecting one or more software modules with the most recent and/or stable version after filtering ( 712 ). For example, the dependency manager plug-in  112  can select (or instruct the remote server  104  to select), after filtering, the remaining versions according to one or more predetermined rules. In one example, the dependency manager plug-in  112  can select the most recent version among the remaining versions after filtering. In another example, the dependency manager plug-in  112  can select one or more of the stable versions among the remaining versions after filtering. 
     After selecting the software module, the process  700  includes returning the most recent software module ( 714 ) and the process  700  ends. For example, the dependency manager plug-in  112  can return a local storage location of the most recent software module (e.g., according to version number or time stamp of the one or more selected software modules) to the software development application  110 . 
       FIG. 8  is a flow diagram illustrating an example process  800  for publishing a software module to a repository. For example, the computer system  102  can perform the process  800  to publish a new version of a software module to the central repository  106 . 
     The process  800  begins with generating a software module ( 802 ). For example, the computer system  102  can generate the software module using the software development application  110 . 
     The process  800  optionally includes generating corresponding debug information ( 804 ). For example, the debug information can be a file used to verify functionalities of the software module. In one example, a user can use the software development application  110  to generate the debug information (e.g., the debug files  132 ). 
     Next, the process  800  includes copying the generated software module to a local cache ( 806 ). For example, the software development application  110  can copy the generated software module to the local storage  108 . 
     The process  800  includes posting the generated software module to a central repository ( 808 ). For example, the computer system  102  can post the generated software module to the central repository  106 . In some implementations, the remote server  104  can update the central repository index  126  after receiving the generated software module in the central repository  106 . 
     In some implementations, the remote server  104  can validate the received software module before posting in the central repository  106 . For example, the remote server  104  can compare one or more method or variable signatures in the generated software module to corresponding method or variable signatures of previously stored versions in the central repository  106  to determine whether a user should be permitted to upload the software module. 
     For example, the remote server  104  can determine a number of parameters required by a method and use this as a method signature for that method. The remote server  104  can compare the method signatures between a software module being uploaded to the central repository and the previous versions stored in the central repository. Similarly, the remote server  104  can In another example, the remote server  104  can determine data types and a number of variables, and use this information as a variable signature for a software module. The remote server can also use the variable signature to validate whether a software module is compatible with previous versions (and, consequently, whether the new software module should be stored in the central repository). 
     In some implementations, the remote server  104  is configured to determine whether the generated software module is backward compatible based on the comparison. For example, the remote server  104  may determine that the generated software module is backward compatible if the generated software module satisfies one or more test conditions. One test condition may be that the generated software module must include all methods included in the previously stored versions. Another test condition may require that a new software module may have different method signatures than previously uploaded versions, but that the methods must only contain additional, optional parameters so that the method is backward compatible with previous versions. 
     In some implementations, the remote server  104  can determine a variance of the determined software modules and previously stored versions of the software module in the central repository. For example, the variance can be generated based on the comparison of the method or variable signatures between the generated software module and the previous versions of the software module. In some examples, the remote server  104  can prevent the generated software module from being stored in the central repository  106  if the variance exceeds a threshold variance. For example, the remote server  104  can prevent the generated software module from being stored in the central repository  106  if the number of parameters of a method decreases in the generated software module. In another example, the remote server  104  can prevent the generated software module from being stored in the central repository  106  if the generated software module adds one or more required parameters to the method. 
     After posting the generated software module, in step  810 , it is determined whether debug information exists. For example, the software development application  110  can check whether debug files are generated by the compilation of the software project. 
     If the debug information does not exist, then the process  800  ends. If the debug information exists, then the process  800  performs step  812 , which includes copying the debug information to a local cache ( 812 ). For example, the software development application  110  can copy the debug information to the local storage  108 . 
     Next, the process  800  includes posting debug information to the central repository ( 814 ). For example, the software development application  110  can post the debug information to the central repository  106 . 
       FIG. 9  is a flow diagram illustrating an example process  900  for storing a software module in a repository. For example, the remote server  104  can use the process  900  to store the software modules  130  in the central repository  106 . 
     The process  900  begins with receiving a request to post a software module ( 902 ). For example, the remote server  104  can receive a request to post a software module from the computer system  102 . 
     Next, the process  900  includes determining whether a version of the software module is supplied ( 904 ). For example, the remote server  104  can check, in the software module post request, whether a designated version number of the software module (or other metadata included in the index) is indicated. 
     Next, the process  900  includes creating a directory ( 908 ). For example, the remote server  104  can create a directory—having the name of the software module—in the central repository  106  if such a directory does not exist. 
     Next, the process  900  includes creating a subdirectory ( 910 ). For example, the remote server  104  can create a directory—having a name related to the version information—as a subdirectory under the directory with the software module name. 
     After creating the subdirectory, the process  900  performs step  912 , in which the software module is written to the created subdirectory. 
     Next, the process  900  performs step  914 , in which the index is updated, and the process  900  ends. For example, the remote server  104  can update the central repository index  126  to include the following information (e.g., storing location, version number, stability indicator, etc.) of the software module. 
     At step  904 , if the version of the software module is not supplied, the process  900  includes creating a temporary directory ( 916 ). For example, the remote server  104  can create a temporary directory in the central repository  106 . 
     Next, the process  900  includes determining whether the software module includes executable code ( 918 ). For example, the remote server  104  can check a file extension of the software module to determine whether the software module includes one or more executable files. 
     If the software module is an executable file, then the process  900  includes “reflecting” to request version information (and possibly other metadata) from the executable file ( 920 ). For example, the file may have a method (e.g., the Java language&#39;s “reflect” method), which when called returns version information. After reflecting and returning version information, the operation at step  908  is performed. 
     If the software module is not executable as determined in step  918 , then the process  900  may throw an exception ( 922 ) and the process  900  ends. For example, the remote server  104  can display an exception to a user at the computer system  102  to indicate that a version number is required to post the software module. 
     In some implementations, the remote server  104  can include other reflection processes to obtain version information for software modules that are not executable files. In one example, the remote server  104  can search the first “n” line (e.g., the first 5 lines) of a non-executable file to obtain version information that, for example, is proceeded by a predetermined identifier such as “&lt;version&gt;.” 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example system  1000  having more than one repository. In the depicted example, the system  1000  includes two repositories  1002 ,  1004 . The repository  1004  is a local proxy repository of the central repository  1002 . In some examples, the repositories  1002 ,  1004  can store software modules for building a software application. 
     In the depicted example, the central repository  1002  is located in North America, and the proxy repository  1004  is located in South America. The system  1000  includes client computer systems  1010 ,  1011 ,  1012  in North America. The computer systems  1010 - 1012  are configured to access the central repository  1002 . The system  1000  also includes client computer systems  1020 ,  1021 ,  1022  in South America, which are configured to access the proxy repository  1004 . 
     The repositories  1002 ,  1004  can synchronize their content. In some implementations, the repositories  1002 ,  1004  are configured to synchronize with each other periodically (e.g., every 24 hours). By synchronizing the content of the repositories  1002 ,  1004 , both repositories  1002 ,  1004  store the same software modules regardless of whether the software module originated from client computer systems in, for example, North or South America. In some implementations, the system  1000  can improve the speed of which the client computer systems  1010 - 1012  and  1020 - 1022  can access their respective repositories. For example, the client computer systems  1010 - 1012  and  1020 - 1022  can compile software projects by retrieving software modules from their local repository, instead of waiting for a remote repository to return a requested software module. 
     In some implementations, the computer systems  1010 - 1012  and  1020 - 1022  can specify which repository to access. For example, the computer systems  1010 - 1012  and  1020 - 1022  can dynamically select one of the repositories  1002 ,  1004  based on the latency time of each repository. 
     Although a few implementations have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. For example, the central repository  106  can include more than one repository. In some implementations, the remote server  104  can be a network of computer systems. In some examples, the central repository  106  can include memory space on each of the computer systems in the network. 
     In certain implementations, the remote server  104  can include a web service front end and a database backend. The web service front end can provide uniform access methods to the central repository index  126 . The database backend can provide a database structure for storing and management of the software modules  130 . In using the web service front end and the database backend, the remote server  104  may, for example, serve a large-scale software development system (e.g., a software development system with several developers simultaneously accessing the remote server) more efficiently. 
     In some implementations, the filtering module  128  can be implemented in the computer system  102  instead of in the remote server  104 . For example, a dependency manager plug-in can include the filtering module  128  to access the central repository index  126 . By remotely accessing the central repository index  126 , the filtering module  128  can filter the versions of the software modules locally at the computer system  102 . After filtering, the dependency manager plug-in can select, among the remaining software module versions, a software module to be retrieved from the central repository  106 . For example, the dependency manager plug-in can remotely select the software module version. By specifying a remote location (e.g., an internet protocol (IP) address) specified in the central repository index  126 , the dependency manager plug-in can remotely retrieve the selected software module. 
     In certain implementations, an independent software application, instead of a plug-in, can be implemented to perform the functions of the dependency manager plug-in  112  described herein. For example, a dependency manager software application can cooperate with the software development application  110  to build software projects by retrieving required software modules from the central repository  106 . 
     In some implementations, the software development application can include a user interface (e.g., a graphical user interface (GUI)) to configured one or more functionalities of the dependency manager plug-in  112 . In some implementations, a user can use the user interface to enable, or disable one or more functionalities of the dependency manager plug-in  112 . For example, the user can use the user interface to disable the dependency manager plug-in  112  from accessing the remote server  104 , forcing the compilation of the software project to use local copies of the software modules. In another example, the user can use the user interface to disable the dependency manager plug-in  112  from posting generated software modules. 
     In some implementations, the user interface can be used to alternate one or more functionalities of the dependency manager plug-in  112 . In one example, a user can use the user interface to define or to select the software module selection rules used by the remote server  104 . In another example, the user interface can be configured to allow the user to select whether a software module is to be automatically or manually posted to the central repository  106  after each build. 
     In addition, the logic flows depicted in the figures do not require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In addition, other steps may be provided, or steps may be eliminated, from the described flows, and other components may be added to, or removed from, the described systems. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6