Java · Intermediate level

Intermediate level · Module 4 of 6 · 13 guided hours

Packages and Builds with Maven

Organise code into packages with sensible access levels, and build, test and package projects with Maven.

Learning objectives

  • Organise a project into packages and choose access modifiers
  • Create a Maven project and add dependencies
  • Run the Maven build lifecycle and produce a runnable JAR

Topics

  • packages and imports
  • public, protected, package-private, private
  • Maven project layout
  • pom.xml and dependencies
  • build lifecycle phases
  • runnable JAR

Lessons

  1. Lesson 1 Packages and Access Modifiers

    Group related classes into packages and use access modifiers to expose only what other code should use.

    packageimportpackage-privatepublic API

  2. Lesson 2 Maven Projects and Dependencies

    Create a Maven project, understand pom.xml and add libraries as dependencies instead of copying JAR files.

    pom.xmlgroupId, artifactId, versiondependency scopelocal repository

  3. Lesson 3 The Maven Build Lifecycle

    Run Maven's lifecycle phases from the command line and package the application as a runnable JAR.

    lifecycle phasemvn packagetarget folderMain-Class manifest

Practical activity

Convert the library project from a single folder of classes into a Maven project with model, service and storage packages, then build it from the command line.

Expected outcomes

  • Well-organised projects that others can build
  • Confidence with Maven's standard commands

Assessment

Practical: a provided messy project must be reorganised into packages and built with mvn package; checked by building it on the instructor's machine.

Taught live by an instructor — online or in person. Free course lessons are for self-study and do not lead to a certificate — see registration options.