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Apache Maven vs Eclipse: What are the differences?

Introduction

Apache Maven and Eclipse are both popular tools in the software development industry. While Maven is primarily a build automation tool used for managing and organizing dependencies in a project, Eclipse is an integrated development environment (IDE) with extensive features for coding, debugging, and running applications. Despite their similarities in some aspects, there are key differences between Apache Maven and Eclipse that set them apart from each other.

  1. Dependency Management: One of the major differences between Apache Maven and Eclipse is their approach to dependency management. Maven has a centralized approach to dependency management, where dependencies are defined in a project's POM (Project Object Model) XML file. Maven automatically downloads and manages the required dependencies, making it easier to maintain a project's dependencies across different environments. On the other hand, Eclipse relies on its built-in Java Build Path settings to manage project dependencies, which are typically stored in the IDE's project configuration files. This allows developers more flexibility in managing project dependencies within the specific Eclipse project.

  2. Project Lifecycle: Another key difference between Maven and Eclipse is the project lifecycle management. Maven defines a standardized project lifecycle with a set of predefined phases such as compile, test, package, and deploy. This allows developers to easily perform these common tasks by executing Maven commands. Eclipse, on the other hand, does not have a predefined project lifecycle. Instead, developers can configure various build and deployment processes manually within the IDE using its project settings and configurations. This gives developers more control and flexibility in defining and customizing the project lifecycle according to the specific requirements.

  3. Build Tools: Maven provides its own build tool, known as Apache Maven Build Tool, which is tightly integrated with the Maven ecosystem. This build tool is responsible for managing and executing the predefined build phases, such as compiling source code, running tests, and packaging the application. Eclipse, on the other hand, supports multiple build tools and allows developers to choose the tool of their choice, such as Apache Ant or Gradle, for building their projects. This flexibility in build tool selection is beneficial for developers who prefer other build tools or have existing projects built with different tools.

  4. IDE Features: Eclipse is primarily an integrated development environment and offers a wide range of features specifically designed for coding, debugging, and IDE-centric development. It provides advanced code editors, debugging capabilities, code refactoring tools, and integrated support for various technologies and frameworks. Maven, on the other hand, does not provide extensive IDE features and focuses primarily on dependency management and project build automation. While plugins can be integrated with Eclipse to incorporate Maven functionality, it does not offer the same level of seamless integration as a dedicated Maven build tool.

  5. Community and Ecosystem: Maven has a large and active community with extensive documentation and support resources available. It has a wide range of plugins and integrations, making it compatible with various tools and frameworks. Additionally, Maven follows a convention-over-configuration approach, which means that developers can get started quickly by following predefined conventions and structures. Eclipse also has a thriving community and extensive ecosystem with a wide range of plugins and extensions available. However, Eclipse is not as specific to Maven and has a broader ecosystem that caters to various programming languages and technologies.

  6. Learning Curve: Due to its comprehensive features and complex nature, Eclipse has a steeper learning curve compared to Maven. Eclipse requires developers to familiarize themselves with its IDE functionalities, project configurations, and user interface. On the other hand, Maven has a more straightforward learning curve, especially for developers already familiar with XML and build automation concepts. Its convention-over-configuration approach simplifies the project setup and management process, making it easier for beginners to get started with.

In summary, the key differences between Apache Maven and Eclipse lie in their approach to dependency management, project lifecycle management, choice of build tools, IDE features, community and ecosystem, and learning curve. Maven focuses on centralized dependency management, predefined project lifecycle, its own build tool, limited IDE features, a specific community, and a relatively simpler learning curve. Eclipse, on the other hand, offers more flexibility in dependency management, custom project lifecycle, multiple build tool choices, extensive IDE features, a broader community and ecosystem, and a steeper learning curve.

Advice on Eclipse and Apache Maven
christy craemer
Needs advice
on
EclipseEclipseIntelliJ IDEAIntelliJ IDEA
and
PyCharmPyCharm

UPDATE: Thanks for the great response. I am going to start with VSCode based on the open source and free version that will allow me to grow into other languages, but not cost me a license ..yet.

I have been working with software development for 12 years, but I am just beginning my journey to learn to code. I am starting with Python following the suggestion of some of my coworkers. They are split between Eclipse and IntelliJ IDEA for IDEs that they use and PyCharm is new to me. Which IDE would you suggest for a beginner that will allow expansion to Java, JavaScript, and eventually AngularJS and possibly mobile applications?

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Replies (12)
Recommends
on
Visual Studio CodeVisual Studio Code

Pycharm is great for python development, but can feel sometimes slow and community version has Somme very annoying restrictions (like they disabled jupyter notebooks plugin and made it premium feature). I personally started looking into VS Code as an alternative, and it has some very good potential. I suggest you take it into account.

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Recommends
on
PyCharmPyCharm

The Community version of PyCharm is free and should give you what you need to get started with Python. Both PyCharm and IntelliJ are made by JetBrains. IntelliJ is initially focused on Java but you can get plugins for lots of other things. I subscribe to JetBrains' Toolbox: https://www.jetbrains.com/toolbox-app/ and have access to all of their great tools.

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Charles Nelson
Recommends
on
IntelliJ IDEAIntelliJ IDEA

I couldn't imagine using a development tool other than the IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate All Products Pack. A single license allows me to work directly on my server running Ubuntu and/or my workstation running Windows 10 Pro simultaneously. My current project uses HTML, W3CSS, JavaScript, Java, Groovy, Grails, C, GO, Python, Flask, and Rust. For me it's worth every penny of the $150 license fee. And you can try it for free.

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Recommends
on
Visual Studio CodeVisual Studio Code

Hi, I will give my opinion based on my experience. I have used PyCharm, both community and Professional version. The community has limited functions, like you can't use a Jupyter notebook whereas it's available in the Professional version. PyCharm is slower compared to Visual Studio Code. Also Visual Studio Code is an editor which supports various languages. I myself have used both Visual Studio Code and PyCharm. I feel Visual Studio Code would be better choice. You may as well decide based upon your requirements.

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Ivan Martinez Morales
Software Engineer Intern · | 4 upvotes · 694.3K views
Recommends
on
Visual Studio CodeVisual Studio Code

I'd personally recommend Visual Studio Code as it gives you the flexibility of working in any language, so long as there are extensions to support it. It gives you the flexibility to learn Python, venture into Java, Javascript, and eventually AngularJS, and potentially mobile applications. It's also free and you can install it on your personal computer. I think Visual Studio Code would serve your intended use case best.

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awesomebanana2018
Recommends
on
Visual Studio CodeVisual Studio Code

Visual Studio code is easy to use, has a good UI, and a large community. Python works great with it, but unlike some other editors, it works with most languages either by default or by downloading a plugin. VS Code has built in linting, syntax coloring, autocompletes (IntelliSense), and an api for plugins to do there own tooling.

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Isaac Povey
Casual Software Engineer at Skedulo · | 3 upvotes · 694.4K views
Recommends
on
IntelliJ IDEAIntelliJ IDEA

IntelliJ really is the best for Java, I switched from eclipse years ago and never looked back. As for javascript, python and angular either using the standalone products from jetbrains (pycharm for python, webstorm for js) or installing the relevant plugins for InteliJ will be your best bet. Pycharm etc. are really just InteliJ with some additional plugins installed.

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Pranshu Verma
Engineer at Cisco Systems · | 3 upvotes · 694.3K views
Recommends
on
PyCharmPyCharm

If you starting with Python then PyCharm is better. For Java I would suggest to go with IntelliJ IDEA but people also prefer eclipse so I would say try both and then decide. For JS/Angular/React I would suggest go with VSCode. I personally use it and prefer as its light weight and have good integration with chrome for frontend development.

PyCharm, IntelliJ IDEA are both products of JetBrains. They have a free (limited feature) and paid edition. Eclipse is free. VSCode is also free.

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Pritam Nandy
Engineering Manager at Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited · | 1 upvotes · 641.8K views
Recommends
on
PyCharmPyCharm

This is a very easy to use tool and gives you the opportunity to start coding right after the installation with almost everything setup automatically by the tool.

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Brian Turner
System Architect at Mary's Watch, Inc. · | 1 upvotes · 694.3K views
Recommends
on
IntelliJ IDEAIntelliJ IDEA

Easy to learn and everything you need

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Recommends
on
PyCharmPyCharm

Pycharm is all you need to get start coding in python or any of its framework. Its an awesome tool you should give it a try :)

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Recommends
on
PyCharmPyCharm

All three are great, however, I believe that IntelliJ IDEA's multiple IDE's are slightly more straight-forward and more up-to date than Eclipse. If I had to choose one specifically for Python projects I would go with PyCharm.

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Decisions about Eclipse and Apache Maven
Manabu Tokunaga
CEO, Co-Founder at WinguMD · | 10 upvotes · 525.6K views

I originally chose IntelliJ over Eclipse, as it was close enough to the look and feel of Visual Studio and we do go back and forth between the two. We really begin to love IntelliJ and their suite of IDEs so we are now using AppCode for the IOS development because the workflow is identical with the IntelliJ. IntelliJ is super complex and intimidating at first but it does afford a lot of nice utilities to get us produce clean code.

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Pros of Eclipse
Pros of Apache Maven
  • 131
    Does it all
  • 76
    Integrates with most of tools
  • 64
    Easy to use
  • 63
    Java IDE
  • 32
    Best Java IDE
  • 9
    Open source
  • 3
    Hard for newbews
  • 2
    Great gdb integration
  • 2
    Professional
  • 2
    Good Git client allowing direct stage area edit
  • 2
    True open source with huge contribution
  • 2
    Great code suggestions
  • 2
    Extensible
  • 2
    Lightweight
  • 0
    Works with php
  • 138
    Dependency management
  • 70
    Necessary evil
  • 60
    I’d rather code my app, not my build
  • 48
    Publishing packaged artifacts
  • 43
    Convention over configuration
  • 18
    Modularisation
  • 11
    Consistency across builds
  • 6
    Prevents overengineering using scripting
  • 4
    Runs Tests
  • 4
    Lot of cool plugins
  • 3
    Extensible
  • 2
    Hard to customize
  • 2
    Runs on Linux
  • 1
    Runs on OS X
  • 1
    Slow incremental build
  • 1
    Inconsistent buillds
  • 1
    Undeterminisc
  • 1
    Good IDE tooling

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Cons of Eclipse
Cons of Apache Maven
  • 14
    2000 Design
  • 9
    Bad performance
  • 4
    Hard to use
  • 6
    Complex
  • 1
    Inconsistent buillds
  • 0
    Not many plugin-alternatives

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What is Eclipse?

Standard Eclipse package suited for Java and plug-in development plus adding new plugins; already includes Git, Marketplace Client, source code and developer documentation. Click here to file a bug against Eclipse Platform.

What is 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.

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What are some alternatives to Eclipse and Apache Maven?
Android Studio
Android Studio is a new Android development environment based on IntelliJ IDEA. It provides new features and improvements over Eclipse ADT and will be the official Android IDE once it's ready.
Visual Studio
Visual Studio is a suite of component-based software development tools and other technologies for building powerful, high-performance applications.
IntelliJ IDEA
Out of the box, IntelliJ IDEA provides a comprehensive feature set including tools and integrations with the most important modern technologies and frameworks for enterprise and web development with Java, Scala, Groovy and other languages.
NetBeans IDE
NetBeans IDE is FREE, open source, and has a worldwide community of users and developers.
PyCharm
PyCharm’s smart code editor provides first-class support for Python, JavaScript, CoffeeScript, TypeScript, CSS, popular template languages and more. Take advantage of language-aware code completion, error detection, and on-the-fly code fixes!
See all alternatives