Apache Ant
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CommentsWhat is Apache Ant?
Ant is a Java-based build tool. In theory, it is kind of like Make, without Make's wrinkles and with the full portability of pure Java code.
Apache Ant is a tool in the Build Automation category of a tech stack.
Key Features
The most complete Java build and deployment tool available.Platform neutral and can handle platform specific properties such as file separatorsCan be used to perform platform specific tasks such as modifying the modified time of a file using 'touch' commandScripts are written using plain XML. If you are already familiar with XML, you can learn pretty quicklyAutomate complicated repetitive tasksInterface to develop custom tasksCan be easily invoked from the command line and it can integrate with free and commercial IDEs
Apache Ant Pros & Cons
Pros of Apache Ant
- ✓Flexible
- ✓Easy to learn
- ✓Easy to write own java-build-hooks
- ✓Simple
Cons of Apache Ant
- ✗Old and not widely used anymore
- ✗Slow
Apache Ant Alternatives & Comparisons
What are some alternatives to Apache Ant?
Gradle
Gradle is a build tool with a focus on build automation and support for multi-language development. If you are building, testing, publishing, and deploying software on any platform, Gradle offers a flexible model that can support the entire development lifecycle from compiling and packaging code to publishing web sites.
CMake
It is used to control the software compilation process using simple platform and compiler independent configuration files, and generate native makefiles and workspaces that can be used in the compiler environment of the user's choice.
Apache Maven
Maven allows a project to build using its project object model (POM) and a set of plugins that are shared by all projects using Maven, providing a uniform build system. Once you familiarize yourself with how one Maven project builds you automatically know how all Maven projects build saving you immense amounts of time when trying to navigate many projects.