Maven is one of the most widely adopted build automation tools for Java projects, and it plays a central role in modern Java development workflows.

Maven distinguishes itself from older tools like Ant by introducing a standard project structure and a declarative approach to builds. While Ant requires you to write detailed scripts to specify every task, Maven uses a configuration file (pom.xml) to define the structure, dependencies, and build process of your project. This means you spend less time scripting and more time focusing on your application’s logic.

In contrast, Gradle is a newer build tool that combines the flexibility of Ant with Maven’s conventions. Gradle uses a domain-specific language (DSL) based on Groovy or Kotlin and offers performance improvements like incremental builds. However, Maven remains popular due to its simplicity, large ecosystem of plugins, and a vast central repository of libraries.

Typical use cases for Maven include:

• Managing project dependencies automatically;
• Enforcing a consistent project structure across teams;
• Automating compilation, testing, packaging, and deployment processes;
• Integrating with continuous integration systems;
• Generating documentation and reports as part of the build process.

By adopting Maven, you benefit from a mature tool that streamlines repetitive tasks, reduces manual errors, and standardizes how Java applications are built and maintained.