Apache Ant
Apache Ant is a Java library and command-line tool for running processes laid out in build files as targets and tasks.
What Apache Ant is
Apache Ant is a Java library and command-line tool for running processes laid out in build files as targets and tasks. It includes tasks to compile, assemble, test, and run Java applications, and can also build C and C++ applications. Other built-in tasks cover archiving, file operations, execution, remote access, source control, and testing. Ant does not require a particular coding style or directory structure for Java projects. Users can extend it with Antlibs containing tasks and types; optional Antlibs are separate from the core release. The project recommends Apache Ivy for development projects that need dependency management alongside build tooling. Ant 1.10 requires JDK 8 or later, and many tasks will not work with only a JRE. Its JUnit task also requires external libraries not included in the distribution. The listed free plan is Apache Ant 1.10.18, distributed in ZIP, TAR.GZ, and TAR.BZ2 formats. The project supports Linux, macOS, Windows, Unix, and other systems, and releases from version 1.6.1 onward are under the Apache License, Version 2.0.
Good
- Builds Java, C, and C++ applications.
- Includes tasks for testing, archiving, and file operations.
- Does not impose a project directory layout.
- Antlibs let users add tasks and types.
- Free under the Apache License, Version 2.0.
Watch out
- Ant 1.10 requires JDK 8 or later.
- Many tasks do not work with only a JRE.
- JUnit tasks need external libraries not included.
- Apache Ivy is recommended for dependency management.
Who it suits
Apache Ant suits developers who need a build tool for Java or non-Java applications and want control over project conventions. It is also relevant to teams that need extensible build tasks across multiple operating systems.
Verdict
Apache Ant provides configurable task-based builds across Java and other application types. Users should account for its JDK requirement and the external libraries needed by the JUnit task.
Plans and prices
From Apache Ant's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Apache Ant | Free | Apache Ant 1.10.18 · requires Java 8 or later · distributed as ZIP, TAR.GZ, and TAR.BZ2 |
The facts
Each one read from Apache Ant's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Build and dependency management
- The project recommends Apache Ivy as a companion for software development projects that need both build tooling and dependency management.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Community support
- The Ant users mailing list is for developers using Ant to ask questions, share knowledge, and discuss issues; subscription is required before posting.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Distribution verification
- The download instructions recommend verifying releases with PGP signatures and also provide SHA512 checksums.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Extensible tasks
- Users can create Ant libraries (Antlibs) containing tasks and types, and optional Antlibs can be downloaded separately from Ant’s core release.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Flexible project structure
- Ant does not impose coding conventions or directory layouts on Java projects that use it as a build tool.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Java builds
- Ant includes tasks to compile, assemble, test, and run Java applications, and can also build non-Java applications such as C and C++.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Java requirement
- Ant 1.10 requires a JDK version 8 or later, and the manual warns that many tasks will not work with only a JRE.checked 8 Oct 2026
- License
- Apache Ant releases from version 1.6.1 onward are covered by the Apache License, Version 2.0.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Recent security fix
- Ant 1.10.18 fixes a path traversal vulnerability in the FTP and SCP tasks that could allow arbitrary file writes when downloading from a malicious or intercepted server.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Security reporting
- The project asks users to report undisclosed vulnerabilities privately to the Apache security mailing list and lists known vulnerabilities with impact ratings and affected versions.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Supported systems
- The project says Ant has been used on Linux, macOS, Windows NT descendants, and several Unix and other platforms; development focuses on Linux, macOS, Windows, and Unix.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Task coverage
- The task overview lists built-in tasks for compiling, archiving, file operations, execution, remote access, source control, and testing.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Testing dependency
- Ant’s JUnit task requires external libraries that are not included in the Ant distribution.checked 8 Oct 2026
- What it does
- Apache Ant is a Java library and command-line tool that runs processes described in build files as targets and tasks.checked 8 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2000checked 28 Sep 2026
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