Editing Apache Maven (section)

{{Short description|Software tool for managing build dependencies}}
{{Infobox software
| name = Apache Maven
| logo = Apache Maven logo.svg
| developer = [[The Apache Software Foundation]]
| released = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2004|07|13}}
| discontinued = No
| latest release version = {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|P348|P548=Q2804309}}                                             | latest release date    = {{Start date and age|{{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|P348|P548=Q2804309|P577}}|df=yes}}
| programming language = [[Java (programming language)|Java]]
| genre = [[Build tool]]
| license = [[Apache License 2.0]]
| website = {{URL|https://maven.apache.org}}
}}
'''Maven''' is a [[build automation]] tool used primarily for [[Java (programming language)|Java]] projects. Maven can also be used to build and manage projects written in [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]], [[Ruby (programming language)|Ruby]], [[Scala (programming language)|Scala]], and other languages. The Maven project is hosted by [[The Apache Software Foundation]], where it was formerly part of the [[Jakarta Project]].

Maven addresses two aspects of building software: how software is [[Software build|built]] and its dependencies. Unlike earlier tools like [[Apache Ant]], it uses conventions for the build procedure. Only exceptions need to be specified. An [[XML]] file describes the software project being built, its dependencies on other external modules and components, the build order, directories, and required [[Plug-in (computing)|plug-ins]]. It comes with pre-defined targets for performing certain well-defined tasks such as compilation of code and its packaging. Maven dynamically downloads [[Java (programming language)|Java]] libraries and Maven plug-ins from one or more repositories such as the Maven 2 Central Repository, and stores them in a local cache.<ref name="maven2repo">{{cite web|url=http://repo1.maven.org/maven2/|title=Index of /maven2/|access-date=2009-04-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917061140/http://repo1.maven.org/maven2/|archive-date=2018-09-17|url-status=dead}}</ref> This local cache of downloaded [[Artifact (software development)|artifacts]] can also be updated with artifacts created by local projects. Public repositories can also be updated.

Maven is built using a plugin-based architecture that allows it to make use of any application controllable through standard input. A [[C (programming language)|C]]/[[C++]] native plugin is maintained for Maven 2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mojohaus.org/maven-native/native-maven-plugin/|title=MojoHaus Native Maven Plugin|first=Trygve|last=Laugstol}}</ref>

Alternative technologies like [[Gradle]] and [[sbt (software)|sbt]] as build tools do not rely on [[XML]], but keep the key concepts Maven introduced. With [[Apache Ivy]], a dedicated dependency manager was developed as well that also supports Maven repositories.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ant.apache.org/ivy/history/2.2.0/resolver/ibiblio.html|title=IBiblio Resolver &#124; Apache Ivy™}}</ref>

Apache Maven has support for [[reproducible build]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=74682318|title=Reproducible/Verifiable Builds - Apache Maven - Apache Software Foundation|website=cwiki.apache.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dzone.com/articles/reproducible-builds-in-java|title=Reproducible Builds in Java - DZone Java|website=dzone.com}}</ref>