What is "maven"

Apache Maven, or simply Maven, is a compilation automation tool used primarily in projects Java, also used to build and manage projects written in C#, Ruby, Scala and other languages. The project Maven is hosted by Apache Software Foundation, that was part of the old Jakarta Project.

The Maven uses a file XML (POM) to describe the software project being built, its dependencies on modules and external components, the compilation order, directories and plug-ins necessary.

The Maven download Java libraries and their plug-ins dynamically from one or more repositories, such as Maven 2 Central Repository, and stores them in a local cache area. This local cache of downloaded artifacts can also be updated with artifacts created by local projects. Public repositories can also be updated.