maven-001: maven-in-real-world-terms

Maven's terminology can feel like a tangled mess at first. Let's keep it simple and answer the most important question:

What does Maven do?

Maven automates your project’s build process.

That’s it. Instead of manually compiling code, running tests, packaging files, and managing dependencies, Maven does it all for you.

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How Does Maven Work?

1. You write Java code. (e.g., src/main/java)
2. Maven compiles it. (mvn compile)
3. Maven runs tests. (mvn test)
4. Maven packages it into a JAR/WAR. (mvn package)
5. Maven installs it into your local repo. (mvn install)
6. Maven deploys it to a server. (mvn deploy)

All of this happens automatically using Maven’s rules and plugins.

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Breaking It Down in Real-World Terms

Think of Maven like a factory assembly line:

• Lifecycle → The entire factory process (from raw material to the final product).
• Phases → Steps in the assembly line (cutting, assembling, painting, packaging).
• Goals → Specific machines/tools in each step (a saw for cutting, a robot for assembly).
• Plugins → The machines themselves that execute tasks (the saw, the paint sprayer).

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Maven in One Sentence

🛠️ Maven takes your code and turns it into a working application by following a structured build process.