How to Create a Maven Project? A Complete Guide to Building and Managing Maven Projects
By Rohan Vats
Updated on Feb 26, 2025 | 21 min read | 6.4k views
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By Rohan Vats
Updated on Feb 26, 2025 | 21 min read | 6.4k views
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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.
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.
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:
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
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.
nano ~/.bash_profile
export JAVA_HOME=/path/to/jdk
export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH
source ~/.bash_profile
echo $JAVA_HOME
java -version
Troubleshooting Tip: If Maven throws a 'JAVA_HOME not set' error, ensure the path points to a valid JDK installation.
3. Verify Maven Installation
To check Maven Integration for Eclipse (M2E) plugin, you need to verify that Maven is installed and functional on your system.
Steps to Install Maven:
Steps to Configure Maven ( if necessary):
export M2_HOME=/path/to/apache-maven
export PATH=$M2_HOME/bin:$PATH
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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
Eclipse supports syntax highlighting for a variety of programming languages, including Java, JavaScript, C, C++, and Python.
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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.
4. System Setup Best Practices
Follow these steps to ensure a smooth and efficient Maven setup.
Ensure that your JAVA_HOME environment variable points to a valid JDK (Java Development Kit) installation.
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.
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.
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.
nano ~/.bash_profile
export JAVA_HOME=/path/to/jdk
export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH
export MAVEN_HOME=/path/to/apache-maven
export PATH=$MAVEN_HOME/bin:$PATH
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.
Maven uses the Java version set in JAVA_HOME. Make sure the Java version matches the version needed by the Maven plugins and dependencies.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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