Apache Maven vs CMake: What are the differences?

Apache Maven and CMake are two popular build automation tools used in software development, but they have some key differences that set them apart.

1. Integration and Ecosystem: Apache Maven is primarily used for Java projects and has a rich ecosystem with extensive integration with popular Java frameworks and libraries. It uses declarative XML-based configuration files called "pom.xml" to manage project dependencies and define build lifecycles. On the other hand, CMake is a cross-platform build system that supports multiple programming languages, including C, C++, and Fortran. It uses platform-specific build files, such as "CMakeLists.txt," to define project structure, dependencies, and build configurations.

2. Language Support: While Apache Maven is primarily focused on Java, it can also handle projects in other languages, as long as they can be compiled and packaged using the Java toolchain. CMake, on the other hand, supports a wide range of programming languages and provides built-in support for popular compilers and toolchains.

3. Build Process: Maven follows a convention-over-configuration approach, where project configurations and build processes are largely predefined and standardized. It employs a "goal-oriented" build system, where predefined goals, such as compile, test, and package, are executed in a specific order. In contrast, CMake allows fine-grained control over the build process by providing a scripting language that allows developers to define custom build rules and dependencies. This makes CMake more flexible and suitable for complex build scenarios.

4. Platform Independence: Apache Maven is primarily designed for Java projects and provides robust platform independence. It can run on any platform with a Java Virtual Machine (JVM). On the other hand, CMake is designed to be cross-platform and can generate platform-specific build files for different operating systems, making it suitable for projects that need to be built on multiple platforms.

5. Build Configuration: Maven uses a centralized approach to managing project dependencies and build configurations through its repository system. It relies on the availability of artifacts in remote or local repositories. In contrast, CMake allows developers to directly specify the location of dependencies, giving more control over the build environment.

6. Community and Adoption: Apache Maven has a large and active community with extensive documentation, tutorials, and plugins available. It is widely adopted in the Java ecosystem and is the de facto build tool for many Java projects. CMake also has a dedicated community and is popular in the C/C++ development community, especially for cross-platform projects.

In summary, Apache Maven and CMake differ in their integration and ecosystem, language support, build process, platform independence, build configuration, and community adoption. These differences make them suitable for different types of projects and development environments.