Java Build Tools - MAVEN and ANT

Through this course you are going to learn about the Java build tools such as the XML, ANT and MAVEN which are mainly used to assemble and create software image through source code.

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 7h 1m | 48 Videos | 77268 Views |   Beginner| English[Auto-generated]

About Build tools – MAVEN and ANT

When you want to create a new version of a program and to ensure the source file have been updated and can be compiled into a new software of the program, this programming utility is called build tools.  Typically build tools deals with compilation and packaging software by checking and testing the codes to transform the source code into a portable and useable software images. As today projects involves multiple programming languages and vast software stacks, therefore build tools helps in faster delivery of  test and production environment with the support of code integration. In general, build tools allows the developers to describe the build process.

Descriptions on java build tools

ANT

Otherwise known as another neat tool, is a java based build tool that lets you construct your own build scripts. ANT is a platform independent and without any customization you can use a large number of built-in tasks. However ANT makes it easier for you to execute another process within the current one.

Features of ANT:

• It is flexible and Controls the build process
• ANT is a neutral platform and is useful to automate and simplify the platform specific tasks
• Often regarded as complete java build and deployment tool
• Provides interface to construct custom task
• You can learn quickly as the scripts are written in plain XML
• Can easily call upon from the command line

Uses of ANT in build tools

• Basically, ANT is used for compiling the code and packaging the binaries
• Set up the binaries to the test server
• Examines the changes
• Copies the code from one location to another

MAVEN

MAVEN is a modern build comprehension and project management tool. MAVEN helps to build software and dependencies. It uses plugin based architecture and through standard output it makes use of any application controllable. MAVEN contents and structures are declared in a XML file. Developers can build project infrastructure within no time while testing automation setup, checking reports and creating also. Theoretically MAVEN has the capacity to build multiple projects together and even deploy projects.

Features of MAVEN:

• Provides quality project information and makes the build process easy
• Implements uniform build system
• Add guidelines in development for best practices
• Reusable, maintainable and easier to comprehend

XML

Considered as extensible markup language, is a simple text based language containing markup symbols that describes the file content and act as medium of communication between the applications. The XML supports to define attributes of the elements and also its characteristics in the beginning tag of the element. In short we define XML as W3C recommendation for storage and transport of data.

Features:

• XML is well formed i.e. you can read, write and understand
• XML data is considered to be self-defining and doesn’t need a structure to store a data when the data arrives
• It is technology independent and can be used by any technology for transmission and storage purpose
• XML can take large chunks of information and combine them into an XML document.
• Lastly, XML has endless applications

Course description on java builds tools

This online tutorial on java build tools has described the major aspects of build tools i.e XML, MAVEN and ANT to compile and construct images from source code. Although, coverage of build tools is not possible in the world but we hope covering the 3 important build tools with relevant details will be enough for most beginners. The course has been bought to you by 48+ lectures with 9+ hrs. of HD videos divided into 3 major sections and then further divided into 48 sub sections that makes its consistent to follow and understand. Let’s see what are the sections covered

Section 1: Overviews of java build tool-ANT and MAVEN

The first section is covered with introduction to java build tools understanding the build tools then implementing an example to have more knowledge. A well description of ANT and its features has been introduced along with the targets that have attributes is well explained in this section. This course also helps you with the installation of the build tools with well-structured step by step procedures that will enable you to save your file in the required location along with compiling, copying.

Section 2: overview about component basics

This section we will look at the introduction to XML and java and continues further with more examples and its advantages in the storage and transport of data. You will also grab more information on java web services tutorial, core java 1, abstract class, core java 2, J2EE basics to understand web services, application server with web server followed with working functions and several methods. Well, this is not the end of this section, here you will also learn about servlet, remote interface with examples on JSP, presentation outline, background for XML and how it is used in soap-rest further added with the coutions concerning DTDs followed with pre requisites for REST and SOAP. A proper introduction of web design followed with explanation on client and server, 12 principles of good web design, creation of website, fundamentals of HTML, unordered list and ordered list and hypertext link have been briefly added. Apart from that, this section is further subdivided into definition of cascading style sheets and its uses, declarations, anonymous boxes, float positioning, Ajax tutorial, use of XML http request, chrome and java script basics included to make your understanding about the build tools.

Section 3: XML in detail summary required in build applications

Finally, the last section, deals with XML and its related languages, some key goals and uses which are worth mentioning in this tutorial. The course enables to obtain a clear idea on text editors and browsers, XML parsers and finally ends with comments and C data. This course will improve your skills to store the software images from the source code.

Target audience for this course

This reference is been prepared for beginners to help them understand the basic functionality of ANT, MAVEN and XML tools by using the java programming language.  We have designed the course with simple and step by step format with relevant information so that you can capture easily and can help you to get many career opportunities. Once you are done with the course you will find yourself to be in a better level and more consistent expertise of using the java builds tools and can take it to the next level.

Pre requisites for java build tool

If you are going to take java build tools for development of your java projects then we suggest you to have prior knowledge of software development, an overview of java EE development and deployment process is a must so that you can easily catch the course. Software developers who have been working on java programming can also be recommended to take the tutorial. However, if you are a beginner and have exposed with the understanding of computer terminologies or any other programming language then can get a lot of profit out of this tutorial.

Course testimonial

George

I really appreciate the way the build tools have been introduced and it is exactly I needed. Good guides for beginners and for those want to explore themselves in creating software images using source codes.  I would love to recommend it to my friends, colleagues and even to any professional, willing to get a deeper knowledge on java build tools. Thanks to team Educba for breaking it down so nicely. Excellent!!!!

Evelyn

Wonderful course!! Got to resolve the issues I have faced through this course as this tutorial has provided all the informative things and also has covered a number of topics with sufficient details and explained precisely. I am very much satisfied with the tutorial and would love to take more courses. Super introduction to java build tools and many other sections of the course. Well prepared…… full of examples……easy to understand both for people who are new to this course as well as professionals who want to brush up themselves.

Annabelle

I have taken many online courses but found myself confused all the time until when I finally came across this tutorial and really loved to enjoy it more when going thoroughly deep into it.  Very clearly presented making each lectures interesting and understandable and gave me a better introduction to using build tools. Brilliant tutor…. well done Educba and many thanks to your team.

Hyatt

This course is fabulous and showed me many advantages to work with its productivity. Very accurate course for those who have barest understanding of using build tools. I would say it an extremely well organized and worthwhile course to get you started. Loved the course and it was an amazing experience taking down the course. Thanks a lot!!!!!!!

Career benefits of java build tools

Build tools have been the most convenient ways for develops for managing dependencies. However, with the most popular build tool ANT, MAVEN and XML you can get many possibilities of packaging and compiling of applications. Over a last couple of years developers have seen many advantages of using build scripts in their projects. There will be no end in the future of this build tool automation and with this tool you will be able to make structured and more concise way to read.

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