Beyond Linux® From Scratch - Version 7.5

Chapter 13. Programming

apache-ant-1.9.3

Introduction to Apache Ant

The Apache Ant package is a Java-based build tool. In theory, it is kind of like make, but without make's wrinkles. Ant is different. Instead of a model that is extended with shell-based commands, Ant is extended using Java classes. Instead of writing shell commands, the configuration files are XML-based, calling out a target tree that executes various tasks. Each task is run by an object that implements a particular task interface.

This package is known to build and work properly using an LFS-7.5 platform.

Package Information

Apache Ant Dependencies

Required

A JDK (Java Binary or OpenJDK-1.7.0.51/IcedTea-2.4.5) and GLib-2.38.2

Recommended

JUnit-4.11

User Notes: http://wiki.linuxfromscratch.org/blfs/wiki/apache-ant

Installation of Apache Ant

[Note]

Note

You may need additional libraries to satisfy the build requirements of various packages installed using Apache Ant. Review the table at http://ant.apache.org/manual/install.html#librarydependencies for any prerequisite libraries you may need. Place any needed libraries in lib/optional.

If it is not possible to install the recommended JUnit package, install Apache Ant by removing the reference to the test instructions (note that the tests will not be performed): 

sed -i 's/jars,test-jar/jars/' build.xml

otherwise copy the junit jar file to the local directory tree. 

cp -v /usr/share/java/junit-4.11.jar lib/optional

Install Apache Ant by running the following commands:

The unit regression tests are performed during the build step below unless JUnit is not installed. Now, as the root user: 

./build.sh -Ddist.dir=/opt/ant-1.9.3 dist &&
ln -v -sfn ant-1.9.3 /opt/ant
[Note]

Note

Make sure the JAVA_HOME environment variable is set for the root user.

Command Explanations

sed -i 's/jars...: If the JUnit package is not installed, the regression tests cannot be performed.

cp -v /usr/share/java/junit-4.11.jar ...: This command copies the JUnit jar file into the directory where Apache Ant will look for it.

./build.sh -Ddist.dir=/opt/ant-1.9.3 dist: This command does everything. It builds, tests, then installs the package into /opt/ant-1.9.3.

ln -v -sfn ant-1.9.3 /opt/ant: This command is optional, and creates a convenience symlink.

Configuring Apache Ant

Config Files

/etc/ant/ant.conf, ~/.ant/ant.conf, and ~/.antrc

Configuration Information

Some packages will require ant to be in the search path and the $ANT_HOME environment variable defined. Satisfy these requirements by adding the following lines to /etc/profile or to individual user's ~/.profile or ~/.bashrc files: 

export PATH=$PATH:/opt/ant/bin
export ANT_HOME=/opt/ant

Contents

Installed Programs: ant, antRun, antRun.pl, complete-ant-cmd.pl, runant.pl, and runant.py
Installed Libraries: ant*.jar
Installed Directories: /opt/ant-1.9.3

Short Descriptions

ant

is a Java based build tool used by many packages instead of the conventional make program.

antRun

is a support script used to start ant build scripts in a given directory.

antRun.pl

is a Perl script that provides similar functionality offered by the antRun script.

complete-ant-cmd.pl

is a Perl script that allows Bash to complete an ant command-line.

runant.pl

is a Perl wrapper script used to invoke ant.

runant.py

is a Python wrapper script used to invoke ant.

ant*.jar

files are the Apache Ant Java class libraries.

Last updated on 2014-02-19 19:56:28 -0800