Can somebody please tell me in simple words what exactly is ant build file and maven build file?
2 Answers 2
They are XML files that describe how to build and package software (usually Java software).
Ant files are used by the Ant tool, which provides more flexible, free-form builds. An Ant build file is much like a program in its own right (only encoded as verbose XML).
POM files are used by Maven, which has a different philosophy and imposes more structure. The Maven approach is more declarative than Ant. Writing a Maven build is less like writing a procedural program to build the software.
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So basically, they are sort of a template for us to build on...they do not provide any ready-made functionality! right?shahensha– shahensha2010年12月22日 11:43:47 +00:00Commented Dec 22, 2010 at 11:43
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1The tools provide the functionality (e.g. compilation, archiving, running unit tests) and the XML files define how this functionality is used.Dan Dyer– Dan Dyer2010年12月22日 11:46:19 +00:00Commented Dec 22, 2010 at 11:46
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Suppose I am developing a Struts2 Web app...then how will they help me?shahensha– shahensha2010年12月23日 05:58:53 +00:00Commented Dec 23, 2010 at 5:58
They're just like any other build files (NAnt, make, ...).
They describe the steps taken to produce some kind of artifact - an executable file, a test run, etc.
The build file will describe how to create a clean build environment, what to compile, where the dependencies are that you need to compile, where to put the executables, DLLs, and the like, any additional programs you need to execute (like running your testrunner on your project, or instrumenting your code so a coverage tool can analyse your test coverage).