Introduction
Packagecloud’s developers constantly work toward adding functionality and integrations that make the platform more valuable. Recently, Packagecloud announced that it can support XML metadata from Apache Maven. Keep reading to learn more about how Packagecloud and Maven can improve your DevOps process.
You can experience exactly how Packagecloud and Maven work together by starting your free trial with Packagecloud.
What is Maven?
Maven started as a build automation tool for Java projects. Today, though, it can work with other languages, including Ruby, C#, and Scala. The automation features are built into XML files that link to existing dependencies, such as code components and external modules. Instead of writing a unique section, you can link to code that already exists to perform the feature you want to add to your application.
Now, Packagecloud and Maven can work in coordination to generate your XML files.
Maven is part of the Jakarta Project, which also includes Apache tools like:
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HiveMind
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Ant
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Commons
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Tomcat
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Velocity
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Tapestry
What does Maven-metadata.xml store?
Maven-metadata XML files also store information that can help software developers quickly understand the history and current state of the software.
Common XML tags that you'll find in Maven-metadata documents include:
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groupId: The base name that your company or development team creates to identify itself, such as “com.Package.Cloud”.
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ArtifactId: A unique name that helps you identify the project, such as “CI-CD-tool”.
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Versioning: The version of the project.
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latest: The name of the latest version, such as “0.0.0.25-CICD”.
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release: The release name of the version, which is often the same as the name you put in the <latest> tag.
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version: The version name of the project, which can also be the same as the <latest> tag.
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lastUpdated: The date and time that someone last updated the project, such as “20220412615”.
By paying attention to these pieces of information, developers should know that they are working with the correct project and the latest version of the project. They can also see when the latest update was published.
Why is Maven useful?
Developers find Maven useful for several reasons. If you use Maven, you probably like that it:
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Forces you and other developers to follow a standard directory structure, making it easier for team members to share information without communicating directly with each other.
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Lets you package dependencies so you don’t need to write as much code for common application features.
Combining Packagecloud and Maven makes these two features even more powerful. With Packagecloud and Maven, you get to generate XML files that provide historical data and link to dependencies. All of your updates get added to Packagecloud’s hosted repository, so you don’t need to worry about the potential security issues of using a public repository.
Since Packagecloud is a cloud-based package distribution platform, you can push your updated packages to a central repository. Then, all of the machines in your IT ecosystem receive the latest code. Packagecloud takes an agnostic approach, so it doesn’t matter what operating system or programming languages machines on your network use.
If you frequently use Java to build digital products, you can already see the additional benefits of adding Packagecloud and Maven’s features.
You can experience the usefulness of Maven’s metadata and decide how it will benefit your team’s approach to DevOps. Start your free Packagecloud trial today.
Packagecloud Generates Maven Metadata
Why does it matter that you can use Packagecloud and Maven at the same time? Since Packagecloud supports Maven, the package delivery platform can generate Maven-metadata.xml files for you.
This means much more than reducing the number of steps you need to take when working on projects. By relying on Packagecloud and Maven working together, you eliminate the possibility of human error that can confuse other team members. You don’t have to worry that someone will mistakenly update the wrong version of your software. Everyone has precise, accurate data that makes mistakes very unlikely.
See How Packagecloud and Maven Can Help
Packagecloud is a cloud-based service that distributes software passages throughout your IT ecosystem without forcing you to pay for expensive infrastructure upgrades. Packagecloud takes an agnostic approach to DevOps, so you can update any machine regardless of programming languages or operating systems. Now that Packagecloud supports Maven, you get an even clearer view of your code.
Packagecloud can help you save time and money while improving reliability. See how it works for your team by starting a free trial today.
