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- How to Create a Maven Project? A Complete Guide to Building and Managing Maven Projects
How to Create a Maven Project? A Complete Guide to Building and Managing Maven Projects
Updated on Jan 27, 2025 | 21 min read
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Maven simplifies Java project development by automating dependency management, ensuring consistent builds, and offering a standardized project structure. This helps developers focus on coding instead of handling configuration and library versions manually.
In this blog, you'll learn how to create a Maven project in Eclipse, resolve common errors, and explore strategies to improve the performance of your Maven builds.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Create a Maven Project in Eclipse?
Before you start creating, you need to download Maven, install Java Development Kit (JDK) and set up the JAVA_HOME environment variable.
Here are the requirements before creating a project in Eclipse.
Prerequisites to Create Maven Project in Eclipse
Before you create a Maven project in Eclipse, you need to install Eclipse IDE, configure the Java Development Kit (JDK) and the JAVA_HOME environment variable, and verify the installation of Maven.
Here’s how you can fulfill the prerequisites to start a project.
1. Install Eclipse IDE
Eclipse is an open-source IDE that supports Java development and can be extended to handle Maven projects.
Steps to install Eclipse IDE:
- Visit the official Eclipse download page.
- Select the "Eclipse IDE for Java Developers" package, which is suitable for Java development and comes with the most necessary tools pre-installed.
- Follow the installation instructions for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
- Windows: Download the installer and follow the setup wizard.
- macOS and Linux: Download a compressed file and extract it.
2. Install JDK and Configure JAVA_HOME
Since Maven is a Java-based tool, you need to have the Java Development Kit (JDK) installed on your system. In addition, you'll need to configure the JAVA_HOME environment variable so that Maven and Eclipse can reference the Java installation properly.
Steps to Install JDK
- Download the JDK from the official Oracle website or use an open-source version like OpenJDK.
- Install the JDK by following the installation instructions for your operating system.
Configure JAVA_HOME
You need to set the JAVA_HOME environment variable so that tools like Maven and Eclipse can locate the Java installation. You have different steps depending on your operating system.
- Windows:
- Open Control Panel > System and Security > System > Advanced System Settings.
- Click on Environment Variables.
- Under System Variables, click New and set:
- Variable Name: JAVA_HOME
- Variable Value: The path to your JDK installation directory (e.g., C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-14).
- In the System Variables section, find the Path variable, click Edit, and add %JAVA_HOME%\bin to the list.
- macOS/Linux:
- Open a terminal window.
- Edit your profile file (like .bashrc, .bash_profile, or .zshrc) using a text editor.
nano ~/.bash_profile
- Add the following command:
export JAVA_HOME=/path/to/jdk
export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH
- Save the file and reload the profile using the following command:
source ~/.bash_profile
- Verify the configuration by running this command:
echo $JAVA_HOME
java -version
Troubleshooting Tip: If Maven throws a 'JAVA_HOME not set' error, ensure the path points to a valid JDK installation.
3. Verify Maven Installation
To check Maven Integration for Eclipse (M2E) plugin, you need to verify that Maven is installed and functional on your system.
Steps to Install Maven:
- Download Maven from the official Apache Maven website.
- Extract the Maven archive to a directory (e.g., C:\apache-maven on Windows or /opt/maven on Linux/macOS).
Steps to Configure Maven ( if necessary):
- Set the M2_HOME environment variable
- On Windows: Follow the same steps as for JAVA_HOME, but set the M2_HOME variable to the Maven installation directory (e.g., C:\apache-maven).
- On macOS/Linux: Add the following command.
export M2_HOME=/path/to/apache-maven
export PATH=$M2_HOME/bin:$PATH
- Verify Maven Installation: Open a terminal/command prompt and type the following command. It must display the installed Maven version.
mvn -v
Also Read: 26 Most Important Maven Interview Questions and Answers [For Freshers & Experienced]
With your environment prepared, you're ready to create a Maven project in Eclipse.
Process for Creating a Maven Project
To create a Maven project in Eclipse, you need to follow steps like launching Eclipse, creating a new Maven project, and configuring the project details.
Here’s a step-by-step guide for creating a Maven project in Eclipse.
1. Step 1: Launch Eclipse
When you launch Eclipse, the IDE will prompt you to select a workspace. The workspace is the directory where your projects will be stored, and it serves as the default location for all your development files.
Here’s how you can select a workspace.
- After installing Eclipse, run the program.
- Upon launching, Eclipse will ask you to select a workspace. A workspace is a folder where all your projects, configurations, and other development-related files are stored.
- Default Workspace: You can use the default workspace (usually in the eclipse-workspace folder).
- Custom Workspace: You can also create and specify a custom folder for your projects. To do this, click Browse and choose a different location.
- After selecting the workspace, Eclipse will load and open the IDE.
2. Step 2: Create a New Maven Project
The Maven Integration for Eclipse (M2E) plugin, pre-installed in Eclipse IDE for Java Developers, makes this process simpler.
Here’s how you can create a new Maven project.
- In the Eclipse IDE, go to the top menu and select File > New > Project.
- In the New Project dialog that appears, type Maven in the search bar to filter options.
- Select Maven Project from the list, then click Next.
3. Step 3: Select Archetype
Archetypes are pre-configured templates that help you quickly set up projects based on different use cases, frameworks, or technologies. You need to choose the archetype that best fits your project type based on available Maven archetypes.
Here’s how you can select an archetype.
- In the New Maven Project wizard, you will be asked to choose an archetype. The wizard will show you a list of available archetypes.
- Common Archetypes:
- maven-archetype-quickstart: A simple, default archetype for creating basic Java projects.
- maven-archetype-webapp: For web application projects.
- maven-archetype-jar: For creating JAR-based projects.
- maven-archetype-parent: Used for creating multi-module Maven projects.
- Select the appropriate archetype based on your project requirements. For a basic Java application, select maven-archetype-quickstart and click Next.
If you don’t find the archetype you need, type the name of the archetype into the Filter box or click Add Remote Catalog to fetch more archetypes from a Maven repository.
4. Step 4: Configure Project Details
In the next step, you need to configure the basic details of your Maven project. You’ll need to provide some essential project information, which will be used to identify and manage the project.
Here’s how you can configure project details.
- Group ID: This is the identifier for your project's group. It’s usually written in reverse domain name notation, like com.example or org.mycompany. It represents the organization or project domain.
- Artifact ID: The artifact ID uniquely identifies your project within the group. For example, if you’re creating a project named “MyApp,” the artifact ID could be myapp.
- Version: The version number for your project. By default, Maven will use 1.0-SNAPSHOT, which represents a version that’s still in development.
- Package: The base package for your project's source code (e.g., com.example.myapp). This package will be the root package for the Java classes in the project.
5. Step 5: View Maven Project Structure
After creation, Eclipse will generate a standard Maven project structure. This uniform structure for Maven projects makes it easier to navigate and maintain.
Here’s the Maven project structure.
- src/main/java: Contains the main Java source files for your application. All Java code for your project should go into this directory.
- src/main/resources: Stores configuration files and other resources that are needed by your project at runtime, such as property files, XML files, etc.
- src/test/java: Holds your unit tests (usually written with JUnit or TestNG). You should place all your test classes here.
- src/test/resources: Similar to src/main/resources, it contains resources specific to testing, such as mock data or test configuration files.
- pom.xml: The POM (Project Object Model) file defines the project configuration, dependencies, build plugins, and other settings. The pom.xml file is automatically created when you set up the Maven project and serves as the "blueprint" for the project’s build lifecycle.
After setting up your project and specifying all the necessary dependencies in the pom.xml file, you can run the command mvn install to build your project. This command will compile your source code, run tests, and package the application.
Also Read: Top 5 Exciting Maven Multi-Module Project Ideas & Topics for Beginners
Now that you’ve seen how to create a Maven project in Eclipse, let’s explore the features of Maven and Eclipse in brief.
Maven and Eclipse: Overview
Maven is a project management and build automation tool primarily used for Java applications. Dependency management prevents errors during deployment by ensuring consistent versions across environments.
Here’s how Maven’s features enhance project management.
1. Dependency Management
a) Automated Dependency Resolution
You can avoid downloading JAR files or dealing with version conflicts by specifying dependencies in the pom.xml file.
Maven automatically fetches the correct versions of libraries from a central repository (Maven Central) and integrates them into your project.
b) Transitive Dependencies
If your project depends on a library that itself has dependencies, Maven will resolve and download those as well, eliminating the need to track dependencies for dependencies.
c) Version Control
You can define the exact version of each dependency needed to ensure consistency across different environments (e.g., development, testing, production). You can also use Maven's version range feature to manage compatible versions of libraries.
d) Maven Dependency Plugin
This plugin can list, analyze, and resolve dependency issues by showing you the project's dependency tree. You can spot version conflicts or redundant dependencies using plugins like mvn dependency:tree.
2. Uniform Project Structure
a) Standard Directory Layout
Maven enforces a uniform project structure, which is widely accepted in the Java community. This consistency makes it easier for developers to collaborate, understand project layout, and maintain code over time.
1) src/main/java: The main source code for the project.
2) src/main/resources: Non-code resources like configuration files, XML, or property files.
3) src/test/java: The unit tests related to the project.
4) src/test/resources: Test resources such as mock configurations or data files.
b) Easy Navigation and Collaboration
This structure simplifies project navigation for developers, especially when transitioning between projects or teams. It also makes Maven projects highly compatible with other tools and continuous integration servers.
3. Ease of Integration
a) Maven Plugin System
Maven integrates seamlessly with unit testing (JUnit, TestNG), documentation generation (Javadoc), or building a WAR/JAR file for deployment. The plugins provide standardized interfaces for integrating these tools.
b) Continuous Integration (CI)
Maven is well-suited for integration with CI/CD tools like Jenkins, Bamboo, and Travis CI. It can be easily triggered by a version control system commit or scheduled job, making automated testing, deployment, and versioning possible.
c) Cross-platform Compatibility
Because Maven is based on Java, it runs consistently across various platforms (Windows, Linux, macOS). This makes it easy to collaborate in diverse development environments.
Maven provides powerful project management features, while Eclipse, an open-source Integrated Development Environment (IDE), is widely used for Java development.
Known for its flexibility, Eclipse is especially popular in enterprise software development, offering a robust environment for building and managing complex applications.
Here are the key features of Eclipse that help in managing the development environment.
1. Code Editing
- Syntax Highlighting
Eclipse supports syntax highlighting for a variety of programming languages, including Java, JavaScript, C, C++, and Python.
- Code Completion
The IDE offers context-sensitive code completion (content assist), which helps developers by suggesting method names, variables, and classes while typing.
2. Debugging Tools
Eclipse offers advanced debugging features such as breakpoints, step-through debugging, variable watches, and stack trace inspection.
3. Project Management:
Eclipse supports a variety of project structures, making it easy to manage multiple projects and configurations. It integrates well with version control systems like Git.
4. Extensibility via Plugins
Whether you’re working with Java, web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript), Android development, database management systems, or other programming languages and frameworks, you can install plugins to extend Eclipse’s capabilities.
5. User Interface (UI) and Navigation
Eclipse’s customizable UI with multiple views (like Package Explorer, Project Explorer, and Console) make it easy to navigate through your codebase, monitor builds, and see debugging output.
Learn how to build a UI that can improve the user experience while using applications. Join the Professional Certificate Program in UI/UX Design & Design Thinking to learn the fundamentals of UI design.
6. Testing and Code Quality Tools
Eclipse integrates well with unit testing frameworks like JUnit and TestNG, providing tools to run tests, display test results, and track coverage.
7. Cross-Platform Support
Eclipse runs on multiple platforms, including macOS, Windows, and Linux, ensuring that developers on different operating systems can work in the same environment.
Maven and Eclipse, with project management features and environment control, ensure you can build and manage your Java project efficiently.
Now, let’s explore the steps to prepare your system for these projects.
How to Prepare Your System for the Maven Project in Eclipse?
Before setting up Maven in Eclipse, you must ensure the necessary plugins are installed and verify that Maven is properly integrated with your IDE. Compatibility between Java versions and Maven will provide smooth development and project management.
Here’s how you can prepare your system to work with the Maven project in Eclipse.
1. Configuring Maven in Eclipse
Eclipse IDE for Java developers comes with a pre-configured Maven Integration for Eclipse (M2E) plugin. You can also configure it manually to allow Eclipse to manage Maven projects directly.
Here are the steps to configure Maven in Eclipse.
- Open Eclipse IDE: Launch the Eclipse IDE and select your workspace.
- Check for Maven Plugin:
- Navigate to Help > Eclipse Marketplace.
- In the Eclipse Marketplace window, search for Maven Integration for Eclipse (M2E).
- If the plugin is not installed, click Go and then Install the Maven plugin. If it is already installed, you can skip this step.
- Configure Maven Settings:
- Go to Window > Preferences.
- Under Maven, select Installations. Configure which Maven installation Eclipse should use.
- If you have Maven installed locally, you can configure it here. To add a new installation, click Add External Maven and select the folder where Maven is installed.
- Under Maven > User Settings, you can configure your settings.xml file, which is the configuration file for Maven. This file is located in your Maven installation directory under the conf folder or the .m2 directory in your user home directory.
- Verify Configuration:
To verify the configuration, you can check the Maven Repositories view in Eclipse (Window > Show View > Other > Maven > Maven Repositories). This should display any downloaded dependencies and local repositories.
2. Installing the Maven Plugin in Eclipse
If you’ve installed Eclipse but find that Maven is not integrated by default, you may need to install the Maven plugin manually.
Here are the steps to install the Maven Plugin in Eclipse.
- Open Eclipse and go to Help > Eclipse Marketplace.
- Search for Maven: In the Eclipse Marketplace, type Maven in the search bar.
- Install "Maven Integration for Eclipse (M2E)": In the search results, you will see Maven Integration for Eclipse (M2E). Click Go, then click the Install button next to this plugin.
- Restart Eclipse: After the installation, Eclipse will ask you to restart the IDE. Restart Eclipse to complete the plugin installation.
3. Verifying Maven Integration in Eclipse IDE
After configuring Maven in Eclipse, you need to verify that the integration is working properly. Maven should now be visible in the Project Explorer and you should be able to see Maven-related options while creating a new project.
Here’s how you can verify Maven integration.
- Create a Maven Project
- Go to File > New > Maven Project.
- If Maven is correctly integrated, this option should be available.
- Follow the steps to create a Maven project (archetype selection, project configuration).
- Maven Projects View
- Go to Window > Show View > Other > Maven > Maven Projects to open the Maven-specific view.
- This view will display your project’s Maven configuration and allow you to run Maven goals, such as clean, install, or package.
- Verify pom.xml Editing
- Open the pom.xml file in your Maven project. Eclipse should provide special editors for this file, autocompletion for dependencies, and warnings about version conflicts or missing dependencies.
- If Eclipse recognizes and processes the pom.xml file, Maven integration is working as expected.
4. System Setup Best Practices
Follow these steps to ensure a smooth and efficient Maven setup.
- Use the Correct Java Version
Ensure that your JAVA_HOME environment variable points to a valid JDK (Java Development Kit) installation.
- Update Eclipse Regularly
New versions of Eclipse come with bug fixes, performance improvements, and the latest Maven plugin updates. Go to Help > Check for Updates to keep your IDE updated.
- Configure Repositories for Fast Dependency Management
If you are working with large projects, it’s a good idea to configure local repositories to reduce download times. The default repository is located in the .m2/repository directory in your user’s home folder.
- Enable Remote Repositories
You can configure additional remote repositories in your settings.xml file to access specific dependencies that are not hosted on Maven Central.
5. Setting Up Environment Variables
Configuring the environment variables for both JAVA_HOME and MAVEN_HOME is crucial for Maven to work properly. Here are the steps to ensure that your system environment variables are set up correctly.
- Setting JAVA_HOME:
- Windows:
- Open Control Panel > System > Advanced system settings.
- Click Environment Variables and create a new System Variable called JAVA_HOME.
- Set its value to the directory where your JDK is installed (e.g., C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-14).
- Add %JAVA_HOME%\bin to the Path system variable to ensure Java commands are recognized in the terminal/command prompt.
- macOS/Linux:
- Open the terminal.
- Edit your profile file (~/.bash_profile, ~/.bashrc, or ~/.zshrc):
- Windows:
nano ~/.bash_profile
- Add command
export JAVA_HOME=/path/to/jdk
export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH
- Save and run source ~/.bash_profile to apply changes.
- Setting MAVEN_HOME:
- On Windows:
- Go to Environment Variables in System Properties.
- Create a new System Variable called MAVEN_HOME.
- Set its value to your Maven installation directory (e.g., C:\apache-maven).
- Add %MAVEN_HOME%\bin to the Path system variable.
- macOS/Linux:
- Edit your profile file (e.g., ~/.bash_profile or ~/.zshrc).
- Add command:
- On Windows:
export MAVEN_HOME=/path/to/apache-maven
export PATH=$MAVEN_HOME/bin:$PATH
- Run source ~/.bash_profile or source ~/.zshrc to apply the changes.
6. Ensuring Compatibility with Java versions
Ensuring compatibility between Java, Maven, and Eclipse can avoid common errors and integration problems.
Here’s how you can check for compatibility.
- Check Maven's Java Version
Maven uses the Java version set in JAVA_HOME. Make sure the Java version matches the version needed by the Maven plugins and dependencies.
- Set Java Compiler Level in Eclipse
- In Eclipse, you can configure the Java version used for compiling your projects.
- Go to Window > Preferences > Java > Compiler and select the appropriate Java version.
In pom.xml, specify the Java version you want to compile with:
<properties>
<maven.compiler.source>1.8</maven.compiler.source>
<maven.compiler.target>1.8</maven.compiler.target>
</properties>
Now that you’ve learned how to prepare your system for Maven projects in Eclipse, let’s explore some key tips and best practices for managing Maven projects effectively.
Key Tips for Managing Maven Projects in Eclipse
Best practices will allow you to optimize your development workflow, avoid common issues, and improve the maintainability of your projects.
Here’s a breakdown of best practices that can help you improve the performance of Maven.
Best Practices for Maven Projects
Practices like version control help track changes in your projects, dependency management ensures compatibility between libraries, and automated builds streamline the development process.
Here are some best practices for your Maven projects in Eclipse.
- Version Control
Keeping track of dependency versions and ensuring they are consistent across environments will avoid build issues and compatibility problems.
Example: Use the dependencyManagement section in pom.xml to specify the versions of shared dependencies, making it easier to manage and maintain consistent versions across your project.
- Automate Builds with Continuous Integration (CI)
Use CI tools like Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or GitLab CI to catch issues early and make the deployment process smoother.
Example: Set up a CI pipeline that runs Maven builds automatically whenever code is pushed to a repository. This ensures the build is tested continuously.
- Keep pom.xml Well-Organized
The pom.xml file is critical for managing dependencies, plugins, and other configurations. You need to remove unnecessary dependencies, outdated plugins, or duplicated information.
Example: Use profiles to separate different build configurations (e.g., dev, test, production). This keeps pom.xml clean.
- Use the clean Goal
Maven’s clean goal removes old compiled artifacts and generated files. Regularly cleaning your build can prevent issues caused by old and outdated files.
Example: Run mvn clean install when switching branches or after making significant changes to ensure the build is fresh and doesn’t have any cached artifacts.
- Document Dependencies
It is important to document what each dependency is for and why it's included. Without proper documentation, teammates may accidentally remove a critical dependency.
Example: For every custom module you add, provide a comment in the pom.xml file explaining its purpose. This makes it easier for others to understand the reasoning behind each dependency.
- Use Maven’s Dependency
By defining dependencies in the pom.xml file, you can specify which libraries or frameworks your project needs.
Example: Consider you are working on multiple dependencies like JUnit for testing and Spring for development. List them in the pom.xml file, and Maven will automatically download and manage them for you.
Now that you’ve discovered some best practices to improve the quality of your Maven project in Eclipse, let’s identify some common errors and discover how to fix them.
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Common Errors and Their Fixes
You may face problems like compilation errors, version conflicts, or test failures, which can affect the performance of the project.
Here are some common errors in Maven projects in Eclipse, and tips to solve them.
- Dependency Not Found
When you're working on a project that uses a third-party library for JSON parsing, such as Jackson, Maven may throw an error like Could not find artifact.
Solution: Check if the group ID, artifact ID, and version in the pom.xml file are correct. Also, check if dependency exists in the repository you're using by checking settings.xml.
Also Read: package.json vs package-lock.json: Major Differences
- Version Conflict
If you’re building a Spring Boot application, it relies on Spring Core and JUnit. Both libraries depend on different versions of Log4j, so you may face version control errors.
Solution: Specify the version you want to use for the conflicting dependency in the dependencyManagement section of your pom.xml file. This ensures Maven uses the same version across all dependencies.
In addition, you can use the <exclusions> block in the pom.xml file to exclude the problematic dependency.
Also Read: What is a Version Control System? Git Basics & Benefits
- Compilation Failure
While working on a Maven project that relies on Java 11, but when you run the build, you get the error No compiler is provided in this environment.
Solution: Make sure that your JAVA_HOME environment variable points to a valid JDK, not just a JRE. Check if the Java version in the pom.xml is set correctly for your project.
- Plugin Version Mismatch
You have an older version of the Maven Compiler Plugin in your pom.xml file, and you're trying to build the project with a newer version of Maven. A PluginExecutionException error will be shown.
Solution: The Maven Compiler Plugin may need to be updated to a newer version to work with your version of Maven. Sometimes, Maven caches plugins that need to be updated.
- Test Failures
Your project is set up to use JUnit 5, but during the build, several tests fail due to issues with the test configuration or incompatible versions. The process may show the following message: Tests run: 5, Failures: 1, Errors: 2, Skipped: 0.
Solution: Check if correct annotations for JUnit 5 or JUnit 4 are used. Ensure test dependencies are compatible. For instance, the JUnit 5 test needs to include the correct dependencies for both JUnit 5 and the JUnit Platform.
Also Read: The Ultimate Guide to Agile Methodology in Testing: Practices, Models, and Benefits
After looking at some common errors and tips to overcome them, let’s explore how to improve the performance of the Maven project.
Improving Maven Performance
For your Maven projects, enable parallel builds using mvn -T for faster build times, more efficient, and less resource-intensive.
Here are some tips to improve the performance of Maven projects in Eclipse.
- Use Parallel Builds to Speed Up the Process
Maven builds are sequential by default. This can lead to longer build times, especially in large projects with many modules.
You can speed up the build process by enabling parallel execution of independent modules using the -T (threads) option. There is a possibility of adjusting the number of threads based on your machine's capabilities.
- Use Local Repository for Faster Dependency Resolution
Make sure Maven is configured to use your local repository. The local repository is used by default, but you can customize the repository path in the settings.xml if necessary.
You can set up an internal Maven repository (like Nexus or Artifactory) as a mirror for faster and more reliable dependency resolution.
- Avoid Unnecessary Plugin Execution
If you’re making frequent changes that don’t need testing, you can skip the tests to speed up the build process.
For instance, in a multi-module project, use build-helper-maven-plugin plugin to ensure that only changed modules are rebuilt.
- Optimize Dependency Management
Improperly managed dependencies can lead to a bloated project. Use the dependency:analyze goal to identify unused or conflicting dependencies in your pom.xml.
You can also exclude unnecessary transitive dependencies explicitly to speed up the resolution process.
- Use Incremental Builds
Compiling only those files that have changes can drastically reduce build times for large projects with many unchanged files.
You need to check that your maven-compiler-plugin is configured to allow incremental compilation. This will ensure that only changed files are compiled.
- Enable Maven Daemon for Improved Performance
Maven daemon allows Maven to reuse JVM processes between builds, significantly reducing the time it takes to start up the build process.
By avoiding the overhead of launching a new JVM for each build, the Maven Daemon speeds up the build cycle, making it useful for large projects that require frequent builds.
Now that you’ve understood how to improve the performance of your Maven project, let’s understand how you can build your knowledge in this field.
How Can upGrad Help You Master Maven Projects?
Maven is a critical tool for large-scale Java applications, as it ensures consistency, repeatability, and ease of integration. By following the steps, you can install and build Maven projects successfully in Eclipse. To perform this, you need to have a solid understanding of setting up Maven, creating projects, managing dependencies, and running builds.
If you want to expand your knowledge of building Java applications, upGrad's courses provide training to excel in Java development and manage projects that scale efficiently.
Here are some courses that can help you in understanding Java development.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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