Intelligent device extension for building software applications

A computing device of an industrial automation system comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory comprising an internal storage medium organized into one or more logical volumes, the memory having stored thereon a software component to expand a capacity of the computing device to build an application image thereon, the software component, when executed by the processor, configures the computing device to:
• identify an external storage device connected to the computing device,
• extend a first logical volume of the one or more logical volumes through integration between the internal storage medium and the external storage device, so as to define an extended logical volume,
• initiate a build process for building the application image, wherein the extended logical volume is utilized by the build process, wherein the build process necessitates more space than that used by a final artifact resulting from the build process, the final artifact defining the application image, and
• subsequent to the completion of the build process, shrink the extended logical volume to the first logical volume, enabling release of the external storage device from the computing device.