Waf is a Python-based framework for configuring, compiling and installing applications. Here are perhaps the most important features of Waf:

• Automatic build order: the build order is computed from input and output files, among others
• Automatic dependencies: tasks to execute are detected by hashing files and commands
• Performance: tasks are executed in parallel automatically, the startup time is meant to be fast (separation between configuration and build)
• Flexibility: new commands and tasks can be added very easily through subclassing, bottlenecks for specific builds can be eliminated through dynamic method replacement
• Extensibility: though many programming languages and compilers are already supported by default, many others are available as extensions
• IDE support: Eclipse, Visual Studio and Xcode project generators (waflib/extras/)
• Documentation: the application is based on a robust model documented in The Waf Book and in the API docs
• Python compatibility: cPython 2.5 to 3.4, Jython 2.5, IronPython, and Pypy

Waf is used in particular by innovative companies such as Avalanche Studios and by open-source projects such as the Samba project. Learn more about Waf by reading The Waf Book.

For researchers and build system writers, Waf also provides a framework for creating custom build systems and package distribution systems.