DUB review
A focused open-source package manager that combines D dependencies, builds, tests, and publishing.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
DUB is the official package manager and build system for the D programming language. It is intended for developers building D applications and libraries who want dependency resolution, project initialization, compilation, execution, testing, version recording, and publishing in one workflow. Projects can use dub.json or dub.sdl recipe files, and resolved dependency versions are recorded in dub.selections.json. DUB is open source and runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Its strongest fit is an integrated D development workflow. DUB can download and link dependencies, run builds and unit tests, publish packages through the DUB registry, and generate project files for VisualD, Sublime Text, and CMake. It integrates with the DMD, LDC, and GDC compilers, while Maven and file-system suppliers extend how packages can be obtained. This combination keeps package and build tasks within one tool while still connecting to selected editors, compilers, and project systems.
DUB also covers several distribution and repeatability needs. It supports configurable registry mirrors, private registries, local package directories, local caching, offline installation, and lockfile support through recorded dependency selections. Those capabilities suit teams that need controlled package sources or local development workflows. The trade-off is focus: DUB is built specifically for D, and its ecosystem and integrations are narrower than a general-purpose package manager's. Choose it for D projects that benefit from a unified package and build workflow; choose an alternative when your work depends on broader language coverage or tooling outside its supported ecosystem.
DUB pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Combines dependency resolution, builds, tests, and publishing in one tool
- Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, mirrors, private registries, and local caching
- Generates project files for VisualD, Sublime Text, and CMake
- Where it doesn't
- Its ecosystem is specialized around the D programming language
- Project recipes use only dub.json or dub.sdl formats
- IDE and build integrations focus on a defined set of supported tools
DUB fact sheet, pricing and score →
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