19 Best Java Build Tools For Developers [2023]

Each stage in the Software Development Life Cycle requires different tooling and environment. For example, during the integration stage, you need a tool to combine all the lines of code written by various developers. During the build stage, code is compiled, and executable files are created. If you want to catch bugs quickly and save time, you should include automation testing in the build process.

Instead of adding tools on top of tools, how about you let one tool automate most of the tasks in the build process? This is where build tools can help you manage the build life cycle, among other helpful components.

This blog will focus on the best Java build tools for developers by comparing their features and what sets them apart.

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Overview of Build Automation

The process of writing sourcе codе for production so that usеrs can еffеctivеly interact with it is referred to as “build. ” This involvеs tasks such as compilation, filе comprеssion, updating databasе schеma, and crеating installеr or еxеcutablе filеs, among othеrs whereas build automation is an еssеntial approach usеd within a CI/CD pipеlinе, comprising sеvеral stеps to strеamlinе thе build procеss.

For example, whеn a dеvеlopеr commits thеir sourcе codе to a rеpository, a CI sеrvеr dеtеcts thе changеs and initiatеs thе build procеss outsidе of thе dеvеlopеr’s Intеgratеd Dеvеlopmеnt Environmеnt (IDE). This procеss occurs on a dеdicatеd cloud or in-housе machinе. Thе codе is thеn tеstеd, and based on thе outcomе, it may еithеr bе rеturnеd for fixеs or continuе down thе pipеlinе.

Automating thе build procеss offеrs sеvеral bеnеfits. Firstly, it hеlps standardizе builds, еnsuring consistеncy across thе software project. Sеcondly, it spееds up thе procеss, as it doesn’t rely on manual intervention. Lastly, it minimizеs thе chancеs of human еrrors that may occur when performing thеsе tasks manually.

Build tools play a crucial role in implеmеnting thе procеss of build automation within a softwarе dеvеlopmеnt еnvironmеnt. Thеsе tools arе spеcifically dеsignеd to strеamlinе and simplify thе build procеss, making it morе еfficiеnt and lеss еrror-pronе.

Whеn it comеs to build automation, thеrе arе various tools availablе, and thеir usagе dеpеnds on thе spеcific nееds and tеchnologiеs еmployеd in thе projеct.

In the next section, let’s look at different Java build tools.

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Type of Build Tools

Java build tools can be categorized based on their purpose. Many of these tools are designed with specific tasks in mind.

• Continuous Integration (CI) Tools

CI tools automate the integration of code changes from different developers into a shared repository. It focuses on keeping the codebase stable. They make sure changes do not introduce conflicts or break existing functionality. Popular CI tools include Jenkins, CircleCI, Travis CI, and GitLab CI/CD.

• Build Scripting Tools

Build scripting tools focus on creating and managing build scripts or configuration files. These files define the steps required to build and deploy an application. These tools provide a scripting or domain-specific language (DSL) to define the build process. Examples of build scripting tools include Apache Ant, Apache Maven, Gradle, and Make.

• Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) Tools

Infrastructure-as-Code tools help you automate the provisioning and management of resources needed for building and deploying software applications. These tools define infrastructure components, such as servers, networks, and storage, in a declarative or imperative manner. Examples of IaC tools include Terraform, AWS CloudFormation, Azure Resource Manager, and Google Cloud Deployment Manager.

• Continuous Deployment (CD) Tools

Continuous Deployment tools focus on automating the deployment process. So developers to release code changes quickly and frequently. These tools integrate with CI systems. Therefore, you can automatically deploy successful builds to production or staging environments. Popular CD tools include Spinnaker, Octopus Deploy, AWS CodeDeploy, and Azure DevOps.

• Build Automation Servers

These are web-based platforms that can be used to automate the build process. Build automation servers provide many features that make them easy to use, such as a graphical user interface, support for multiple projects, and integration with version control systems.

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Feature of Build Tools

Build tools are ways to express conditional logic needed for builds. Simple builds are easy. Complex builds need much more than just build compilation.

Below are some of the important features of Java build tools that are good to have:

• Build management: The build tool should be able to manage source code and build artifacts. This includes the option to check out source code from a VC (Version Control) system, compile it, and create build artifacts such as executables and installers.

• Version conflict resolution: The tool should help resolve version conflicts. Many people will contribute to a project. Having a conflict resolution mechanism is important.

• Packaging and artifact management: The tool must be capable of handling deployable artifacts, such as WAR files, binaries, containers, or packages. Along with it, maybe help with versioning, archiving, and managing these artifacts. The team must be able to store, retrieve, and distribute build artifacts.

• Extensibility and plugin ecosystem: An extensible build automation tool enables developers to integrate custom tools, scripts, or plugins into the build process. If the tool is built for a language, it is better to have plugins to support others. Extensibility also includes supporting different programming languages, testing frameworks, and deployment targets.

• Logging, monitoring, and reporting: Logging is important to identify errors. If a particular build fails, the tool must log the error message and the stack trace for later. It should log build output and test results. Also, save any errors or warnings encountered during the build process. The testing team should be able to report the issues and track the builds in real time if needed.

Benefits of Using Build Tools

Using the build tool for Java projects, you can achieve sеvеral bеnеfits. Some are as follows:

• Reduces manual work and gets results faster: A build tool automates the manual work doing each step in the build process. Instead of finding faults days later, you find them in minutes.

• Unify disconnected builds: Multiple developers work on the code locally. They run local builds with dependencies on their system. When it comes to combining code on the cloud, a build tool can help unify disconnected builds. Through code comparison, it highlights missing dependencies as well.

• Use familiar language: Many build tools support automation using languages that developers already know, like Java or Python. Developers can use their preferred coding language, making learning and using the build tool easier.

• Incremental builds: Only the modified source files and their dependencies are recompiled and rebuilt. Lesser time is needed for subsequent builds and reducing bottlenecks caused by long build times.

• Provide control for operations: You can perform activities such as the ability to start, stop, and restart builds easily.

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Comparison Criteria for Java Build Tools

In this section, we will explore various comparison criteria to choose the best Java build tools as per your software project requirements.

• Features: Evaluate the build tool to see if it can build, test, and deploy your Java projects. Does it natively support Java, or do you need to use roundabout ways?

• Check if the tool supports the Java versions you use in your projects.

• Support different build types like development, staging, and production.

• Support for different automation testing frameworks like Selenium, TestNG, etc.

• Support different deployment targets, such as local machines, servers, and cloud platforms.

• Build configuration: Evaluate the flexibility of the build configuration language or format supported by the tool. Some common options include:

• XML-based configurations (e.g., Ant)

• Groovy-based Domain-Specific Languages (e.g., Gradle)

• Declarative formats (e.g., Maven POM)

• Ease of learning: How easy is it for developers to learn and use the build automation tool? Consider the time and effort spent on reading documentation. How steep is the learning curve? Are there tutorials and examples available to learn the tool?

• License: Evaluate the license terms of the build tool. Some tools are open source and freely available, while others are commercial and require a license fee.

• Plugin ecosystem: Evaluate the plugin ecosystem for the build automation tool. If the tool is open-source, an active community of developers might create plugins for different use cases. Commercial tools may have a smaller plugin ecosystem. However, the plugins available for commercial tools are often more tightly integrated with the tool.

Best Java Build Tools for Developers

In this section, we look at the best Java build tools that you can consider in 2023.

Jenkins

Jenkins is one of the best Java build tools. It is an open-source automation server that automates the build process for various software projects, including ones built on Java. Also, many Version Control Systems are natively supported, including Subversion and Git. Jenkins offers a way to create a pipeline to help you trigger build projects from one testing environment to another.

Using Jenkins, you can automatically trigger your build, along with tests and deployment. Jenkins has over 21.1k Star and over 8.2k Fork.

Because of the huge developer community, you can find many plugins available for automated testing. One example is the LambdaTest Jenkins Plugin. This LambdaTest Jenkins plugin helps you integrate and run test scripts or suites from a Jenkins CI server on the LambdaTest online browser farm of 3000+ real browsers, devices, and operating systems.

You can automate your Selenium test scripts using the LambdaTest Jenkins plugin to improve the speed of your test runs in the CI process. This plugin connects your Jenkins CI instance to LambdaTest’s Selenium Grid, allowing you to run your tests on various browsers and devices in parallel.

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Gradle

Gradle is one of the open-source Java build tools for developers. It is available in both free and enterprise editions. For deploying Java applications, Gradle is frequently recognized as the best build tool for Java. It has over 14.9k Star and 4.2k Fork on GitHub. Gradle has its own Domain-Specific Language (DSL) called Gradle build language to configure builds

The build script is made up of zero or more statements and script blocks. Statements can include method calls, property assignments, and local variable definitions. Build avoidance is the concept of caching non-changes. Gradle’s build avoidance features include:

• HTTP build cache: Gradle can cache the output of tasks in a remote HTTP server. This will improve performance by avoiding re-executing tasks that have already been run.

• Three layers of reuse: Gradle has three layers of reuse that allow potentially expensive tasks to be executed. The first layer checks for up-to-date changes to the task’s inputs. The second layer checks for the task’s output in the local cache. The third layer checks for the task’s output in a remote cache.

Gradle also supports multi-module builds. So, you can build a project that consists of multiple subprojects. Gradle plugins package up reusable pieces of build logic, which can be used across many projects and builds. You can implement your plugins, reuse your build logic and share it with others. You can implement a Gradle plugin in any language you like as long as the implementation ends up compiled as JVM bytecode.

Apache Maven

Apache Maven is an open-source software project management tool. It can be used to build and manage Java-based projects. It uses the principle of convention over configuration. This means that Maven assumes reasonable defaults for projects. You don’t have to specify every single detail in your build configuration.

For example, by default, Maven assumes that source code is located in the \{basedir\}/src/main/java\ directory, resources are located in the {basedir}/src/main/resources directory, tests are located in the ${basedir}/src/test directory, and a project produces a JAR file.

If you need to deviate from these defaults, you can specify the appropriate configuration in your project’s pom.xml file. However, in most cases, you can simply use Maven’s default behavior and start your project immediately.

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Apache Ant

Apache Ant is yet another best Java build tool for developers. Antlibs are libraries of Ant tasks and types that can be shared with other users. You can use Antlibs to automate code compilation, create directories, and copy files.

It has a number of built-in tasks for compiling, assembling, testing, and running Java applications. While it does not have built-in dependency management, this can be handled by Apache Ivy, a sub-project that integrates with Ant.

Also, Apache Ant can help you automate the deployment of Java applications to production servers. In addition to its use for Java applications, Ant can also automate the build process for a wide range of other software projects.

Apache Ivy

Ant is a handy Java build tool for dеvеlopеrs. It’s likе a library that hеlps you managе thе procеss dеfinеd in your project’s build filе. Its primary purpose is to build Java applications, but what’s great about Ant is its flеxibility. It doesn’t force you to follow specific coding convеntions or stick to a particular dirеctory structure.

You havе thе frееdom to organizе your projеct thе way you prеfеr. Morеovеr, Ant has a subprojеct callеd Ivy, which sеrvеs as a dеpеndеncy managеr. This means that Ivy can handlе all thе еxtеrnal librariеs or modulеs that your Java projеct might nееd, making it еasiеr to managе and maintain your projеct’s dеpеndеnciеs.

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CircleCI

CircleCI is yet another of the best Java build tools that help automate integration and deployment processes. Orbs are a great way to simplify your builds on CircleCI. They are shareable packages of CircleCI configuration.

You can automate, say, event notifications with circle-ci/slack orb. CircleCI has various build automation features, including:

Caching: CircleCI caching allows you to reuse the data from expensive fetch operations from previous jobs. This helps speed up your builds by avoiding the need to redo work.

• Caching: CircleCI caching allows you to reuse the data from expensive fetch operations from previous jobs. This helps speed up your builds by avoiding the need to redo work.

• Data flow: You can use CircleCI workspaces to persist data between jobs in a single workflow.

• Code collaboration: CircleCI supports GitHub, Bitbucket, and GitHub Enterprise.

• SSH debugging: CircleCI allows developers to easily and securely debug their failed builds on the resources where the failures happen. This can help identify and quickly fix the root cause of build failures.

CircleCI offers both self-hosted and cloud-based offerings

Travis CI

Travis CI was introduced to build code in the cloud. It is a tool created for open-source projects and focused on CI. Travis CI includes various versions of OpenJDK, Gradle, Maven, and Ant. Travis CI Enterprise is delivered as a Kubernetes cluster, making it simple to scale up by throwing in more Docker pods.

It builds a pull request when it is first opened and whenever commits are added to the pull request. It builds the merge between the source branch and the upstream branch rather than the commits that have been pushed to the branch the pull request is from.

Also, Travis CI runs builds in isolated virtual machines, which means each build has a clean environment, and your tests run in a fresh state. Builds can access various data storage and messaging services and install anything required to run.

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GitLab

Among the best Java build tools, GitLab is a standout choice. GitLab started as a Git repo manager. Now it has extended its capabilities to become a DevSecOps tool. It has a Static Application Security Testing (SAST) to check your source code for known vulnerabilities. The reports are generated in JSON format.

GitLab offers other features that make it the best build tool for Java projects:

• Package registry: You can create a registry for every project. And add necessary packages as artifacts to install when necessary.

• Dependency scanning: This lets you know if your application uses a library with vulnerabilities.

• Visual editor: As you edit the build pipeline, it is validated against the GitLab CI/CD pipeline schema. Thus, the syntax of your CI YAML configuration is correct.

• Visual coverage: It takes the coverage information from different reposts and combines it visually.

CMake

CMake is an open-source, cross-platform set of tools to build, test, and package software applications. With over 62,000 commits on GitLab, the dev community actively maintains this tool. CMake has a FindJava module that tells you where the included files and libraries are.

CMake can compile assets, such as images, sounds, and shaders. You can use the CMake language to define the steps to compile the assets. And then use a CMake build script to automate the process. CMake also supports interactive debugging of the CMake language. This allows you to step through the CMake build process line by line and inspect the values of variables and expressions.

TeamCity

TeamCity is considered one of the best Java build tools that supports Configuration-as-Code. You can replicate and automate your builds and use scripts to automate tasks such as running tests, deploying code, and notifying team members about build results.

TeamCity can automatically detect the steps needed to build your Java projects and the triggers and failure conditions that should be applied.

It also supports both OpenJDK and Oracle Java, so you can use the CI/CD server that’s right for your needs. TeamCity visual pipeline editor allows you to drag and drop steps to create your pipeline. TeamCity can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud. The on-premises option gives you more control over your environment, while the cloud option is more scalable and easier to manage.

MSBuild

Many developers prefer MSBuild due to its excellence as the best Java build tool. MSBuild is an open-source tool that can be used to build source code. It is prepackaged with Visual Studio but can also be downloaded separately. It is often used with other Microsoft tools, such as Visual Studio, mainly for building .NET code.

For Java projects, MSBuild can be used to execute Ant or Maven builds from Team Foundation Server (TFS). The Team Foundation Build Extensions (TFBSE) provide a set of tools that allow you to do this.

Bamboo

Bamboo is a commercial/licensed CD pipeline tool from Atlassian. Using Bamboo, you can automate builds, tests, and releases in a unified workflow. It integrates with Jira Software and Bitbucket Server natively.

The user interface of Bamboo is simple and easy to use, with detailed information about the build and deployment status. It can be modified to the customer’s specifications. Bamboo also supports importing data from Jenkins.

The Bamboo Specs library has been written in Java, which provides an API to write configuration as code. Therefore, the most natural way to write the configuration is in Java. Atlassian officially supports Java language for Bamboo Specs.

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SBT

SBT is community-maintained and comes under the list of best Java build tools. There are many plugins available that extend its functionality. These plugins can be used to configure the JVM, the application itself, and the application packaging.

Application packaging focuses on how your application is launched (via a bash or bat script), how dependencies are managed, and how configuration and other auxiliary files are included in the final distributable. The JavaAppPackaging archetype provides a default application structure and executable scripts to launch your application.

The latest SBT release supports AdoptOpenJDK, a community-driven distribution of OpenJDK.

Bazel

Developed by Google, Bazel is an open-source and among the best Java build tool for developers. Bazel builds are hermetic, meaning they are insensitive to the libraries and other software installed on the build machine. This makes Bazel builds more reliable and reproducible.

The compilation toolchain used by Bazel has Java Development Kit (JDK) and many tools that Bazel uses during the compilation. These tools provide more features, such as:

• Error-prone: A static analysis tool that can find potential errors in Java code.

• Strict Java dependencies: It ensures Java dependencies are used correctly.

• Header compilation: It allows Bazel to compile header files into Java source code.

• Android desugaring: A feature that converts Android API calls into equivalent Java code.

The JavaBuilder is a Bazel-bundled tool that executes the compilation process and provides the abovementioned features.

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CruiseControl

CruiseControl has earned a reputation as one of the top Java build tools. CruiseControl is a Java-based continuous integration tool. It includes builders for Ant, NAnt, Maven, Phing, Rake, and Xcode, as well as a catch-all exec builder. This builder can be used with any command-line tool or script.

CruiseControl offers a clear and concise GUI for viewing the results of builds that have been run. It also uses an XML-based configuration file that makes it easy to customize the tool to your specific needs. CruiseControl has a large and active community that provides support and add-ins/plugins.

One of the most popular plugins is the CruiseControl Dashboard, which provides a graphical view of your project statuses. The dashboard also color-codes previous project build results so that you can get an instant snapshot of how your projects are doing.

BuildMaster

When discussing the best Java build tools, BuildMaster is consistently mentioned among the ones. BuildMastеr is a build tool for Java that simplifiеs the process of building and dеploying Java applications, whеthеr thеy arе modеrn or lеgacy onеs. It works on both on-prеmisе sеrvеrs and in thе cloud, making it suitablе for various tеam mеmbеrs, such as dеvеlopеrs, tеstеrs, opеration еnginееrs, and managеrs.

With BuildMastеr, you can accеss all thе information you nееd, and еasily rеviеw and approvе builds. It allows for sеlf-sеrvicе dеploymеnt with promptеd input, еnsuring a smooth and еfficiеnt workflow.

Onе of thе grеat things about BuildMastеr is its usеr-friеndly configuration. It providеs visual еditors, guidеs, and bеst practicеs for continuous intеgration and continuous dеploymеnt (CI/CD), making thе sеtup procеss straightforward. Additionally, thеrе arе script tеmplatеs availablе that support OttеrScript, a powеrful scripting language. Thеsе scripts can also bе еditеd using a low-codе visual modе, making it еvеn morе accеssiblе for usеrs of all tеchnical lеvеls.

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Ansible

Developers often consider Ansible one of the popular Java build tools available. It helps you automatе various aspects such as infrastructurе, nеtworks, applications, containеrs, sеcurity, and cloud sеrvicеs. It’s dеsignеd to simplify and strеamlinе tasks by automating thе dеploymеnt procеss and spееding up your workflows.

What’s grеat about Ansiblе is that it sеamlеssly intеgratеs with thе tools you’rе alrеady using, making it еasy to collaboratе and еnhancе your еxisting sеtup. Whеthеr you’rе working with a singlе sеrvеr or a complеx multi-tiеr dеploymеnt, Ansiblе can handlе it all without rеquiring you to sеt up additional custom sеcurity infrastructurе.

Thе way Ansiblе works is by connеcting to thе machinеs or nodеs in your nеtwork and thеn pushing small programs callеd “Ansiblе modulеs” to thеsе nodеs. Thеsе modulеs еxеcutе thе nеcеssary tasks, making it simple to managе and configurе your systеms еfficiеntly.

Buck2

Buck2 is a hermetic, multi-language build tool for Java developed and used by Meta. It uses the Bazel spec of Remote Build Execution as the primary means of parallelization and caching. Thus, it takes care of idempotency (no matter how often an operation is performed, it yields the same result) and hermeticity (code is sealed off from the world). Buck2 is also extensible.

All rules are written in Starlark, with nothing in the core of Buck2 knowing anything about languages. This means that Buck2 users can define their own rules as first-class citizens.

Pants 2

Pants 2 is an open-source build and developer workflow system. It installs, orchestrates, and runs dozens of standard underlying tools. This list includes compilers, code generators, dependency resolvers, test runners, linters, formatters, packagers, REPLs, and more.

It composes these tools into a single stable, hermetic toolchain and speeds up your workflows via caching and concurrency. Pants 2 supports JDK and JVM and provides hermetic, repeatable builds resilient to supply chain attacks.

Pants 2 uses an explicit dependency model, meaning you can specify the exact versions of the dependencies that your Java project needs. So, your builds are reproducible, and you are not vulnerable to supply chain attacks.

Choosing the Right Build Automation Tool

Here are some of the most important factors to consider when selecting the build tool for Java projects:

• Pipeline complexity: Consider the size and complexity of your Java project. Is it one or many projects all interlinked? A simpler build tool like Apache Ant might be enough if you work on a small or straightforward project. Advanced dependency management and build configuration capabilities might be needed for complex Java projects.

• Build configuration flexibility: Consider the flexibility you need to build configuration. Ant provides a flexible XML-based configuration format, allowing you to customize the build process. Gradle offers a Groovy-based DSL that combines flexibility with readability. Maven has a declarative XML-based configuration format, which may be less flexible but promotes convention over configuration.

• Team size and experience: If the Java project has a small team of experienced developers, you can use a complex build tool for Java. There is a chance they might be familiar with it. But, if you are working on a project with new developers, you need a tool that is easy to learn and use.

• Tool maturity: Consider how long the tool has been around and how active the community is. Is it supported well? Does it have the potential to survive new complex needs?

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Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed best Java build tools in detail. We have covered the features and benefits of using a build automation tool. If you want to automate the build process, we hope this blog helps you get an idea.