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  1. Stackups
  2. DevOps
  3. Build Automation
  4. Java Build Tools
  5. Apache Ant vs JFrog Artifactory

Apache Ant vs JFrog Artifactory

OverviewDecisionsComparisonAlternatives

Overview

Apache Ant
Apache Ant
Stacks250
Followers151
Votes7
GitHub Stars449
Forks449
JFrog Artifactory
JFrog Artifactory
Stacks342
Followers374
Votes0

Apache Ant vs JFrog Artifactory: What are the differences?

Introduction

Apache Ant and JFrog Artifactory are two essential tools in software development and release management. While Apache Ant is a build automation tool, JFrog Artifactory is a universal artifact repository manager. Here are the key differences between them:

  1. Functionality: Apache Ant is primarily used for building Java-based applications and automating the build process. It provides a scripting language to define build tasks and dependencies. On the other hand, JFrog Artifactory functions as an enterprise-grade artifact repository manager, facilitating the storage, organization, and distribution of binary artifacts throughout their lifecycle.

  2. Scope: Apache Ant focuses on managing the build process and offers features such as compiling source code, running tests, packaging, and deploying applications. Conversely, JFrog Artifactory operates beyond the build phase and serves as a central hub for artifact management, supporting development, release, and deployment workflows.

  3. Integration: Apache Ant can integrate with other tools and frameworks, including build systems like Eclipse, NetBeans, and Maven. It can incorporate various plugins to extend its functionality. On the other hand, JFrog Artifactory integrates with build tools like Apache Maven, Gradle, and Jenkins, enabling seamless artifact resolution and deployment within the CI/CD pipeline.

  4. Artifact Management: While Apache Ant can generate output artifacts and manage their lifecycle during the build process, it does not have extensive capabilities for artifact management and metadata storage. In contrast, JFrog Artifactory provides a powerful repository management system, supporting versioning, metadata storage, access control, and artifact promotion through different stages of the software release process.

  5. Ecosystem Support: Apache Ant is more focused on Java-based projects and is widely used in the Java ecosystem. It offers strong support for Java language-specific tasks and build processes. Conversely, JFrog Artifactory supports multiple ecosystems, including Java, .NET, Python, Ruby, Docker, NPM, and more. It provides a universal and extensible solution for managing artifacts across various software development stacks.

  6. Community and Licensing: Apache Ant is an open-source project, maintained by the Apache Software Foundation and supported by a large community. It is distributed under the Apache License 2.0. On the other hand, JFrog Artifactory is a commercial product, available in both open-source (Community Edition) and enterprise editions. The commercial version includes additional features, support, and enterprise-level capabilities.

In summary, Apache Ant is a build automation tool focusing on Java-based projects, while JFrog Artifactory is an artifact repository manager offering comprehensive artifact management capabilities across different ecosystems.

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Advice on Apache Ant, JFrog Artifactory

tutulbuet
tutulbuet

May 6, 2020

Needs adviceonJavaJavaGitHubGitHubJFrog ArtifactoryJFrog Artifactory

Whenever Qualys scan finds out software vulnerability, say for example Java SDK or any software version that has a potential vulnerability, we search the web to find out the solution and usually install a later version or patch downloading from the web. The problem is, as we are downloading it from web and there are a number of servers where we patch and as an ultimate outcome different people downloads different version and so forth. So I want to create a repository for such binaries so that we use the same patch for all servers.

When I was thinking about the repo, obviously first thought came as GitHub.. But then I realized, it is for code version control and collaboration, not for the packaged software. The other option I am thinking is JFrog Artifactory which stores the binaries and the package software.

What is your recommendation?

258k views258k
Comments

Detailed Comparison

Apache Ant
Apache Ant
JFrog Artifactory
JFrog Artifactory

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.

It integrates with your existing ecosystem supporting end-to-end binary management that overcomes the complexity of working with different software package management systems, and provides consistency to your CI/CD workflow.

The most complete Java build and deployment tool available.;Platform neutral and can handle platform specific properties such as file separators;Can be used to perform platform specific tasks such as modifying the modified time of a file using 'touch' command;Scripts are written using plain XML. If you are already familiar with XML, you can learn pretty quickly;Automate complicated repetitive tasks;Interface to develop custom tasks;Can be easily invoked from the command line and it can integrate with free and commercial IDEs
-
Statistics
GitHub Stars
449
GitHub Stars
-
GitHub Forks
449
GitHub Forks
-
Stacks
250
Stacks
342
Followers
151
Followers
374
Votes
7
Votes
0
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 4
    Flexible
  • 1
    Simple
  • 1
    Easy to learn
  • 1
    Easy to write own java-build-hooks
Cons
  • 1
    Old and not widely used anymore
  • 1
    Slow
No community feedback yet
Integrations
No integrations available
Debian
Debian
npm
npm

What are some alternatives to Apache Ant, JFrog Artifactory?

GitHub

GitHub

GitHub is the best place to share code with friends, co-workers, classmates, and complete strangers. Over three million people use GitHub to build amazing things together.

Bitbucket

Bitbucket

Bitbucket gives teams one place to plan projects, collaborate on code, test and deploy, all with free private Git repositories. Teams choose Bitbucket because it has a superior Jira integration, built-in CI/CD, & is free for up to 5 users.

GitLab

GitLab

GitLab offers git repository management, code reviews, issue tracking, activity feeds and wikis. Enterprises install GitLab on-premise and connect it with LDAP and Active Directory servers for secure authentication and authorization. A single GitLab server can handle more than 25,000 users but it is also possible to create a high availability setup with multiple active servers.

Apache Maven

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.

Gradle

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.

RhodeCode

RhodeCode

RhodeCode provides centralized control over distributed code repositories. Developers get code review tools and custom APIs that work in Mercurial, Git & SVN. Firms get unified security and user control so that their CTOs can sleep at night

AWS CodeCommit

AWS CodeCommit

CodeCommit eliminates the need to operate your own source control system or worry about scaling its infrastructure. You can use CodeCommit to securely store anything from source code to binaries, and it works seamlessly with your existing Git tools.

Gogs

Gogs

The goal of this project is to make the easiest, fastest and most painless way to set up a self-hosted Git service. With Go, this can be done in independent binary distribution across ALL platforms that Go supports, including Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows.

Bazel

Bazel

Bazel is a build tool that builds code quickly and reliably. It is used to build the majority of Google's software, and thus it has been designed to handle build problems present in Google's development environment.

Gitea

Gitea

Git with a cup of tea! Painless self-hosted all-in-one software development service, including Git hosting, code review, team collaboration, package registry and CI/CD. It published under the MIT license.

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