Top 5 Java Build Tools Compared

The right build tool can help you streamline your workflow and improve code compilation. But finding a fit between Java tool capabilities and specific project requirements can take time.

Java build tools are crucial to streamlining the development process and ensuring efficiency. It is more effective to build Java applications through source code automation, dependencies, and bytecode management, reducing manual work and the chance of error. This code mechanization also allows developers to write unit and integration tests, expanding code coverage analysis and simplifying the software deployment stage by facilitating packaging and distribution of Java applications.

What is a build tool in Java?

A build tool is a program-based utility that can be structured as a command line to automate the application building process. In Java, build tools compile code files into bytecode, packaging them into resource libraries or executable files.

Build tools make dependency management much easier for Java development companies by automating recurring tasks, which helps minimize human error, leaving room to write and run tests before product deployment. Minimizing potential issues will increase the likelihood of meeting customer/end-user standards and establish trust in the team.

Architectural development for any application requires practical tools that allow developers to automate simple processes and ensure reliability in different work environments.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Java Build Tool

Choosing a construction tool is often based on personal preference, but there are also some factors to consider before doing so.

Complexity of Java projects

Smaller volume projects with simple requirements can benefit from lightweight tools like Apache Ant. Multi-module projects that scale up and down include more dependencies and customization needs that require tools with more advanced features. Look for a build tool that offers extensibility and customization with additional plugin features that allow for greater customization to meet a project's specific needs.

Community Support and Adoption

Java libraries can be large and complex, so it's important to do research in advance. Consider the scope of the project and determine how these libraries will contribute to performance, structure, or scalability. General libraries take longer to search, especially if you need a highly specific function. You're more likely to find these types of features in purpose-built libraries, such as logging, HTTP, MXL, and connection pools.

Integration with other tools

The mark of a good tool is seamless integration with other tools and the control system version. Through the continuous integration of modern Java build tools, there are standard practices that can improve the development, testing, and deployment of an application, ensuring that any changes to the code are delivered quickly and integrated smoothly.

Learning curve for Java developers

The Java learning curve can be steep. Consider starting with beginner-friendly tools like Apache Ant. This will help you gain a practical understanding of the working schemes, whereas a tool like Maven requires more experience.

Once you've mastered the basics of Java, create a list of steps to complete a simple project. Consider creating a map or list that will help you visualize the process.

Each step will require a varying amount of research, so think of a way to keep track of the resources and tips. Find online forums with members who have experience and knowledge of Java.

Top 5 Java Build Tools

Before choosing the right support tool, developers should think about how they will structure the project. By envisioning the architecture outline, developers can narrow down the specific toolsets they need.

When selecting Java build tools, developers must first consider the complexity of the project. Some frameworks are available in function-specific libraries, while others will require more manual work. Building tools can automate a good portion of this process, but only if the integration is seamless and there is solid reasoning behind choosing a specific tool.

Here we will look at the most applicable construction tools that cover a variety of environments.

#1 Apache Ant

Ant Apache is a popular and open-source Java-based build tool. Due to its portability of pure Java code, it is widely used in the software development industry. On platforms like Stack Sharing , Apache is described as “the most complete tool” for building and deploying Java applications. It has over 350 stars and 400 forks (a solid foundation for developers to get an idea of ​​the tool's capabilities).

Companies like doubleSlash, Scopeland Technology, GmbH, and LinkedIn use Apache Ant in their technology stacks.

The Apache Ant project is more than a simple Java build tool. It can drive processes through build files, ensuring their dependency – one build file is the target and another is the expansion point. Ant's simplicity is the basis for its flexible features that can be applied to projects that use languages ​​other than Java, such as C or C++ applications.

The tool is platform-neutral, effectively handling platform-specific properties and easily integrating with different IDEs without compatibility issues. Sonarqube, FOSSA, Apache Cocoon and Black Duck are just a few examples of tools that can be successfully integrated with Apache Ant. The versatility of the build tool comes from the fact that it requires a small number of running resources. It will cover all construction requirements and automation functions without compromising performance.

Apache Ant allows you to enjoy all the benefits of using a Java build tool, from automating tasks to reducing the need to write all code manually while maintaining a high level of functionality.

Characteristics:

• Easy installation
• Independent platform
• Customizable, leaving room for complex builds

#2Apache Maven

Maven is an open source tool for project management and build automation, developed primarily for Java projects. Hosted by the Apache Group, Maven can orchestrate multiple projects simultaneously, allowing developers to build the entire lifecycle framework with necessary documentation.

The tool's extensive plugin ecosystem allows for seamless integration with different Java frameworks and libraries. This encourages optimization of construction time for large-scale projects. Creatively called “the knowledge accumulator”, Maven is based on the concept of project object model (POM), streamlining the entire development process.

When comparing build tools from the Apache Software Foundation , Maven is more complex and will require more time for novice programmers to learn. Apache Ant is great for configuring XML files. Its flexibility affects the duration of construction performance simply because it has no formal conventions. Maven, on the other hand, acts as a framework with predefined goals. It has a larger set of features and tools that it can seamlessly integrate with due to its features that are more advanced compared to Apache Ant.

The template-based builds that Maven offers allow predefined output as JAR, WAR, or metadata-based distribution. Coherence of project information allows for easier generation of documentation, from project information to progress reports. By encouraging the use of a central repository of Jars and other dependencies, Maven allows users to reuse JARs across projects, avoiding backwards compatibility issues.

Characteristics:

• Robust dependency management and automation
• Faster builds through efficient build caching
• Clear documentation and active community support
• Variety of Maven plugins for additional features

#3 Graduation

Gradle stands out as an advanced build automation tool thanks to its powerful and flexible domain-specific language based on Groovy/Kotlin. This intuitive script makes Gradle builds highly readable and maintainable compared to Apache Ant.

With robust dependency management features, Gradle improves on Ant's capabilities for simplified builds. When first released, Gradle's main drawback was its sparse documentation. However, today Gradle has an extensive community forum and extensive training resources for onboarding new users.

Some developers find Gradle's immense flexibility confusing at first, wanting more structure. Leveraging Gradle successfully requires understanding how scripts work behind the scenes. The tool needs a predefined set of dependencies in a build file to execute commands.

When it comes to the question of Maven vs Gradle, there is no definitive “best” option – both build automation tools have their pros and cons. Maven offers simplicity and convention regarding configuration, while Gradle offers greater flexibility and customization. For large, complex Java projects, Gradle's advanced features like the Kotlin DSL and robust dependency management often give it an advantage over Maven.

Overall, Gradle has evolved into a high-end build automation choice for Java projects that need an enterprise-grade tool. Although more complex than some alternatives, Gradle enables automated, customizable workflows that increase developer productivity.

Characteristics:

• Effective application build lifecycle management
• Parallel task support
• Gradle wrapper feature (running the tool without installation)
• Supports incremental builds

#4Jenkins

Jenkins is a highly extensible tool with a platform for automating various tasks mainly used for software project continuous integration (CI) and delivery (CD). It is considered one of the leading open source automation tools on the market, with up to 1,800 plugins that can support various automation development tasks.

Regarding distribution, Jenkins is organized as a WAR file and an installer package. Includes a Homebrew package, Docker image, and source code. A potential disadvantage of this tool is its complexity, which makes it difficult to learn for beginners. It can also cause compatibility issues if not managed properly.

Users rarely report problems with Jenkins . Still, remember that Jenkins provides frequent updates. Unless you want to spend time debugging, it would be advisable to have a script in place for continuous updates whenever available. It may take some getting used to and some users report that the UI is not user-friendly. However, once you understand how to use the tool. Jenkins will open your environment to a world of possibilities.

Characteristics:

• Easy installation and configuration
• Seamless integration with RSS, email and instant messaging
• Distributed builds with JUnit/TestENG reports

#5 CMake

CMake is a build tool used by hundreds of companies, including Paralect, Unacademy, and Venmo. It generates makefiles and workspaces with integrations available for Starship and C++ Builder.

The construction process has two steps:

1. It creates build files from CmakeLists.txt scripts in the CMake language.
2. The platform's native build tools read these files to build targets.

CMakes' flexible framework enables system-wide localization to find user-specified executables, files, and libraries. It's important to remember that CMake depends on build files from another system and is used with other native build environments.

Users report that CMake allows more control in library management and during the build process. Considered the standard Dowdy build system for cross-platform development, CMake offers versatility. With recent updates, Java IDE support is limited. Aside from a smaller community and complex bugs, once you get to know the tool, it can deliver significant results.

Characteristics:

• Generates files for the platform's native build environment
• Placing compiler outputs in a separate build tree
• Support for complex directory hierarchies
• A tunable open source design capable of supporting new features

Java build tools comparison

The Apache Public Foundation has Ant and Maven, popular tools that differ in their features and approach. Apache Ant is a lightweight and versatile build tool, equally suitable for simple and complex builds. While it offers more independence and custom optimizations, Apache Maven's robust dependency management and large plugin ecosystem make it a better choice for projects that prioritize standardized build processes.

Gradle is slowly taking over Apache Ant when it comes to simple Java build tools. It has a simple build process like Ant, but more advanced features that allow parallel task support. Gradle is suitable for projects that require a high level of complexity and abstraction.

Jenkins offers specialized features such as CI/CD, with a vast plugin ecosystem that makes it an extensible tool, allowing the automation of tasks throughout the development lifecycle. However, management and configuration are complex and require experience with build tools. CMake also requires prior experience as it is primarily a C++ codebase that may require additional installation and configuration when working with Java.

Worth mentioning

We've focused on the core Java build tools, but there are some other worthy mentions that we haven't mentioned.

The Scala Build Tool ( SBT ) is a popular open source build tool designed specifically for Scala and Java projects. SBT stands out for its interactive shell and advanced incremental compilation capabilities, providing fast feedback to developers. For Scala projects, SBT offers strong language integration and productivity advantages over more generic build tools.

Conclusion

Compared to other programming languages, Java can be a bit complex to work with. When you introduce more structure and the right construction automation tools, the process becomes much simpler.

Choosing the best build automation tool like Maven or Gradle largely depends on how it aligns with your Java project requirements. Before trying to integrate the tool into your environment, always do the necessary research in advance. You can also incorporate a project management tool like Jira to streamline your workflow and track custom tasks.

Carefully evaluating factors such as project needs, team skills, and tool capabilities allows you to choose the right build automation and project management tools to simplify your process, improve code compilation, and successfully deliver Java projects.

If you liked this, be sure to check out one of our other Java articles:

• Java Integration Testing Explained with Examples
• 10 Best Java NLP Libraries and Tools
• Java Performance Tuning: 10 Proven Techniques to Maximize Java Speed
• 7 Best Java Profiler Tools for 2021
• Listed 9 Best Java Static Code Analysis Tools