Apache Ant is a Java-based build tool. In theory, it is kind of like Make, but without Make's wrinkles. Why another build tool when there is already make, gnumake, nmake, jam, and others? Because all those tools have limitations that Ant's original author couldn't live with when developing software across multiple platforms. Make-like tools are inherently shell-based -- they evaluate a set of dependencies, then execute commands not unlike what you would issue in a shell. This means that you can easily extend these tools by using or writing any program for the OS that you are working on. However, this also means that you limit yourself to the OS, or at least the OS type such as Unix, that you are working on. Makefiles are inherently evil as well...... EVIL I TELL YOU!
http://jakarta.apache.org/ant/ clay -----Original Message----- From: Ashok [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Sunday, July 14, 2002 8:45 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: hello sir Dear Sir, i have installed apache tomacat 4.0. i was going through the documentation and i find some of the terminologies difficult to understand. so it would be helpfull if u can answer my doubts. to begin with i havent understood the purpose of build .xml file. if i develop a web application is it necessary for me to modify the existing file or create a new one. what is "ant"? regs ashok -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For additional commands, e-mail: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
