Markus: I am not *yet* a Java expert but my comment applies to any language.
A "build tool" is a major time-saver and convinience, that is all. You can use command-line javac and produce the same exact code as with ANT or Make, but why torture yourself? A "build tool" allows you to configure locations of source, executables, library files, without having to remember where everything is pulled from, or placed into. Sort of a template for doing with one small command all of the things that would otherwise take several perhaps large complex commands (I do not enjoy typing all that much!) :-) This is especially beneficial for large, complex projects with many source files and classes. A side-benefit of all this is that you will not make as many compile and execution mistakes due to command-line typos (once the ANT script works, it always works). Hope this helps. Frank ----- Original Message ----- From: "Markus Kirsten" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, March 13, 2002 11:50 AM Subject: Re: ANT > I've stumbled or ANT a couple of times but never really figured out what > it really is. Can someone give me a clue on that by not telling me it's > a build tool. So what exactly is a build tool? Why do I need one whe I > can compile eveything i write with javac, either explicit och implicit > by using some fancy IDE? > > Thanks! > > > Markus > > On Wednesday, March 13, 2002, at 07:05 PM, David Mossakowski wrote: > > > Definitely yes. But to make this more of a agree/disagree post let me > > just say that there is something cool about XML. Having a build tool > > based on XML really speaks to me. I never liked batch files, makefiles > > and the like but I got into Ant with no problems and like it. > > > > d. > > > > Frank Welch wrote: > > > >> Seeking feedback, commentaries, alternatives... > >> > >> > >> > >> Is ANT the way to go for: > >> > >> - Linux > >> > >> - Windows 2000 Pro > >> > >> > >> > >> Thanks for any feedback,! > >> > >> > >> > >> Frank > >> > > > > > > -- > > David Mossakowski [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Instinet Corporation 212.310.7275 > > > > > > > > ************************************************************************* > > ****** > > <<Disclaimer>> > > > > This message is intended only for the use of the Addressee and > > may contain information that is PRIVILEGED and/or > > CONFIDENTIAL or both. > > > > This email is intended only for the personal and confidential use > > of the recipient(s) named above. > > > > If the reader of this email is not an intended recipient, you have > > received this email in error and any review, dissemination, > > distribution or copying is strictly prohibited. > > > > If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender > > immediately by return mail and permanently deleting the copy > > you received. > > > > Thank you. > > > > ************************************************************************* > > ****** > > > > ___________________________________________________________________________ > > To unsubscribe, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and include in the > > body > > of the message "signoff SERVLET-INTEREST". > > > > Archives: http://archives.java.sun.com/archives/servlet-interest.html > > Resources: http://java.sun.com/products/servlet/external-resources.html > > LISTSERV Help: http://www.lsoft.com/manuals/user/user.html > > > > ___________________________________________________________________________ > To unsubscribe, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and include in the body > of the message "signoff SERVLET-INTEREST". > > Archives: http://archives.java.sun.com/archives/servlet-interest.html > Resources: http://java.sun.com/products/servlet/external-resources.html > LISTSERV Help: http://www.lsoft.com/manuals/user/user.html > > ___________________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and include in the body of the message "signoff SERVLET-INTEREST". Archives: http://archives.java.sun.com/archives/servlet-interest.html Resources: http://java.sun.com/products/servlet/external-resources.html LISTSERV Help: http://www.lsoft.com/manuals/user/user.html
