Otherwise known as another neat tool, is a java based build tool that lets you construct your own build scripts. ANT is a platform independent and without any customization you can use a large number of built-in tasks. However ANT makes it easier for you to execute another process within the current one.

Features of ANT:

It is flexible and Controls the build process

ANT is a neutral platform and is useful to automate and simplify the platform specific tasks

Often regarded as complete java build and deployment tool

Provides interface to construct custom task

You can learn quickly as the scripts are written in plain XML

Can easily call upon from the command line

Uses of ANT in build tools

Basically, ANT is used for compiling the code and packaging the binaries

Set up the binaries to the test server

Examines the changes

Copies the code from one location to another

MAVEN

MAVEN is a modern build comprehension and project management tool. MAVEN helps to build software and dependencies. It uses plugin based architecture and through standard output it makes use of any application controllable. MAVEN contents and structures are declared in a XML file. Developers can build project infrastructure within no time while testing automation setup, checking reports and creating also. Theoretically MAVEN has the capacity to build multiple projects together and even deploy projects.

Features of MAVEN:

Provides quality project information and makes the build process easy

Implements uniform build system

Add guidelines in development for best practices

Reusable, maintainable and easier to comprehend

XML

Considered as extensible markup language, is a simple text based language containing markup symbols that describes the file content and act as medium of communication between the applications. The XML supports to define attributes of the elements and also its characteristics in the beginning tag of the element. In short we define XML as W3C recommendation for storage and transport of data.

Features:

XML is well formed i.e. you can read, write and understand

XML data is considered to be self-defining and doesn’t need a structure to store a data when the data arrives

It is technology independent and can be used by any technology for transmission and storage purpose

XML can take large chunks of information and combine them into an XML document.

Lastly, XML has endless applications