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Apache Maven
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<p>Maven is a <a href="/facts/Build_automation/gWwxNg5K">build automation</a> tool used primarily for <a href="/facts/Java_/9ScgFyAL">Java</a> projects. Maven can also be used to build and manage projects written in <a href="/facts/C_Sharp_/UC2gxeyb">C#</a>, <a href="/facts/Ruby_/BeYSaPSR">Ruby</a>, <a href="/facts/Scala_/ebL8o6AK">Scala</a>, and other languages. The Maven project is hosted by <a href="/facts/The_Apache_Software_Foundation/Xl9Tt9lE">The Apache Software Foundation</a>, where it was formerly part of the <a href="/facts/Jakarta_Project/9fB1VNS8">Jakarta Project</a>. </p><p>Maven addresses two aspects of building software: how software is <a href="/facts/Software_build/uTz1koQy">built</a> and its dependencies. Unlike earlier tools like <a href="/facts/Apache_Ant/CT6ABXEx">Apache Ant</a>, it uses conventions for the build procedure. Only exceptions need to be specified. An <a href="/facts/XML/clNgUfWk">XML</a> file describes the software project being built, its dependencies on other external modules and components, the build order, directories, and required <a href="/facts/Plug-in_(computing)/351Du3Wu">plug-ins</a>. It comes with pre-defined targets for performing certain well-defined tasks such as compilation of code and its packaging. Maven dynamically downloads <a href="/facts/Java_/9ScgFyAL">Java</a> libraries and Maven plug-ins from one or more repositories such as the Maven 2 Central Repository, and stores them in a local cache. This local cache of downloaded <a href="/facts/Artifact_(software_development)/Y0osnVU0">artifacts</a> can also be updated with artifacts created by local projects. Public repositories can also be updated. </p><p>Maven is built using a plugin-based architecture that allows it to make use of any application controllable through standard input. A <a href="/facts/C_/Ky2No763">C</a>/<a href="/facts/C%252B%252B/Et0F2qn9">C++</a> native plugin is maintained for Maven 2. </p><p>Alternative technologies like <a href="/facts/Gradle/eqsXvwI7">Gradle</a> and <a href="/facts/Sbt_(software)/69mUcxqL">sbt</a> as build tools do not rely on <a href="/facts/XML/clNgUfWk">XML</a>, but keep the key concepts Maven introduced. With <a href="/facts/Apache_Ivy/6t6JVg1G">Apache Ivy</a>, a dedicated dependency manager was developed as well that also supports Maven repositories. </p><p>Apache Maven has support for <a href="/facts/Reproducible_build/dIScUkPC">reproducible builds</a>. </p>