Xcode project's "Build number"

Question

What is a Build number and what is its use? Is it the same as version number?

Answer 1

Additionally, if you add CFBuildDate as a string and CFBuildNumber as a string into your info.plist, the following shell script (when added to your run script build phase /bin/bash will automatically update your build number and date:

    # Auto Increment Version Script
buildPlist=${INFOPLIST_FILE}
CFBuildNumber=$(/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Print CFBuildNumber" $buildPlist)
CFBuildNumber=$(($CFBuildNumber + 1))
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :CFBuildNumber $CFBuildNumber" $buildPlist
CFBuildDate=$(date +%Y%m%d%H%M%S)
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :CFBuildDate $CFBuildDate" $buildPlist