How to Use Maven – the Dependency Management tool for Java

How to Use Maven – the Dependency Management tool for Java

Apache Maven is one of the most commonly used tools in Java web development. It’s a software project management and comprehension platform built on the concept of a project object model (POM). The software tool can manage a project’s build, reporting, and documentation from a central code.

Maven has an XML-based streamlined configuration that allows developers to quickly describe and outline a Java-based project. This makes project development faster and more efficient. Besides, Maven supports long-term project development and software testing. The tool also has a declarative configuration and features vast swath plugins that make the programming process much easier. That’s why every Java development company uses Maven to speed up their development projects.

The Working Mechanism of Maven

Maven dramatically simplifies the complicated configuration associated with Java development. Below are the major components of the Java development tool:

1) The Project Object Model (POM) that describes a Maven project and its dependencies.

2) The directory, which is a standardized format for describing a Maven project.

3) Repositories where third-party software applications are stored.

Now let’s discuss the functions and roles of these parts elaborately. Understanding the specific roles of every element of this helps you to efficiently use Maven and improve the quality of your development process.

The Maven POM

Java development projects based on the Apache Maven platform use a POM file in its root directory. The dependencies of the project are described by pom.xml. This information guides you throughout the development path. Keep in mind that dependencies are third-party software applications used in the development process.

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The Maven Directory

The directory uses the technique known as convention over configuration. This process smartly solves the problems associated with the complications created by Java configuration. Maven creates a simplified, common project structure and provides a standard file format. By simply using plugins, developers can let describe dependencies and set the project configuration.

Maven Repositories

The Maven platform leverages centralized repositories to store, discover, publish project packages in the form of dependencies. Once the developer references a dependency in the project, Maven discovers it the centralized repository. Then the dependency is downloaded to a local repository and installed to the project.

As mentioned earlier, Maven automatically resolves dependencies from its central repository. However, there’s an alternative as well. JCenter can be used to access a wide range of packages. Additionally, software companies also host and publish private repositories.

How to Install Maven

Before installing Maven, you need to set up the Java Development Kit environment. Once you’re done with the JDK set up, follow the below-listed steps to install Maven.

1.Download the latest version of Maven (3.6.3 as of February 2020)

2. Extract the apache.maven.zip file.

3.Store the file in your path

4. Have access to the mvn command.

5.Type mvn -v to ensure the installation.

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How to host your Java project in a Maven repository

If you want to develop a dependency-based project there are four different ways you can create a library for other projects. You can make it available locally, publish it to a privately-managed remote repository, publish it to a cloud-hosted private repository, or publish it to a public repository like Maven Central.

The popularity of Maven as a Java development tool has grown exponentially. As the number of businesses choosing their enterprise application in Java, the role of Maven will grow even further. Whether you are a Java developer or a business owner looking for Java-based solutions, knowing Maven is equally important.

FAQs

Q.1. What does Maven mean?

Maven is an automation and management tool used in software development. The tool was developed by Apache Software Foundation, was initially released in July 2004. In the Yiddish language, the meaning of Maven is the “accumulator of knowledge.”

Q.2. What does Java mean?

Java is a general-purpose programming language developed by Sun Microsystems. It’s a class-based, object-oriented, language and designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible. Java programs are multiplatform and can run on different platforms, including Macintosh, Windows, and Unix computers.

Q.3. What is the use of Java?

Java is a widely used coding language expressly designed for the distributed environment of the internet. It is the most popular programming language for Android apps. Java is also among the most preferred language for the development of the Internet of Things (IoT) solutions.

Q.4. What is Maven dependency?

Maven dependency is a library, framework or otherwise JAR file that is stored on a remote server. The file is stored with proper detailed information placed in a Maven POM file. The file can be downloaded and referenced in the next project, either upon compilation, testing, or during runtime.