How to Install Apache Maven on Ubuntu Linux
Apache Maven installs on Ubuntu Linux using either the handy APT package manager or by downloading it yourself. Maven is a free tool that helps manage software projects, making the building process simpler and more organized.
It works by using a project description file, called a POM, to handle everything needed for a project, from getting necessary code libraries to building the final software.
Ubuntu’s software sources often have Apache Maven version 3.6.3 ready to go with one command, which works well for most needs. If you need the absolute latest version or features not yet available, you can install Maven manually.
Install Apache Maven on Ubuntu Linux using the command `sudo apt install maven` for the version in the repositories, or manually download the latest binary from the Apache Maven website and configure environment variables. Verify the installation by running `mvn –version`.
How to install Apache Maven with apt on Ubuntu Linux
Installing Apache Maven on Ubuntu Linux uses the apt package manager. This method relies on Ubuntu’s software sources and also installs OpenJDK, a free Java platform, ensuring your system is ready for development right away.
The `apt install` command installs OpenJDK, a free, open-source Java platform, and the stable version of Apache Maven, a build automation tool. This ensures both Java and Maven are ready to build software projects on Ubuntu Linux.
sudo apt update sudo apt install maven
Run the commands above to update your Ubuntu package index and install Apache Maven, along with all dependencies like OpenJDK. This is the fastest way if you don’t need the absolute latest version of Apache Maven.
To verify the installed version, run the commands below.
mvn --version
You should see something similar to the content below:
Apache Maven 3.5.2
Maven home: /usr/share/maven
Java version: 10.0.2, vendor: Oracle Corporation
Java home: /usr/lib/jvm/java-11-openjdk-amd64
Default locale: en_US, platform encoding: UTF-8
OS name: "linux", version: "4.15.0-36-generic", arch: "amd64", family: "unix"How to download and install Maven on Ubuntu Linux
Downloading and installing a specific or the latest Apache Maven version on Ubuntu Linux involves a manual process. Before you download Maven, make sure Java is set up by running `sudo apt update` and `sudo apt install default-jdk`.
Run the commands below to install OpenJDK on Ubuntu Linux. This will install the current stable version of OpenJDK for Ubuntu Linux.
sudo apt update sudo apt install default-jdk
After installing OpenJDK, continue below to get Maven installed and configured.
Apache Maven version 3.8.3 was the latest release when this post was written. Visit the Apache Maven download page to find newer versions. Downloading the latest available version is generally recommended over older ones.
Run the commands below to download version 3.8.3.
cd /tmp wget https://dlcdn.apache.org/maven/maven-3/3.8.3/binaries/apache-maven-3.8.3-bin.tar.gz
Then, extract the downloaded package to the /opt directory.
sudo tar xf /tmp/apache-maven-*.tar.gz -C /opt
Consider creating a symbolic link to the version folder. This is useful for managing multiple versions and updating them as new ones come out. Run the commands below to link version 3.8.3 to the Maven home folder in /opt/Maven.
sudo ln -s /opt/apache-maven-3.8.3 /opt/mavenSetup Maven Environment Variables
After you download and unpack Maven on Ubuntu Linux, setting up environment variables is the next important step. This tells your computer where to find Maven so you can use its commands easily by editing the `maven.sh` file.
sudo nano /etc/profile.d/maven.sh
Copy and paste the lines below and save them into the file.
export JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/jvm/default-java
export M2_HOME=/opt/maven
export MAVEN_HOME=/opt/maven
export PATH=${M2_HOME}/bin:${PATH}Finally, run the commands below to update and load the changes.
sudo chmod +x /etc/profile.d/maven.sh source /etc/profile.d/maven.sh
That should do it! Now run the commands below to check the version number.
mvn --version
You should see the content below.
Apache Maven 3.8.3 (ff8e977a158738155dc465c6a97ffaf31982d739) Maven home: /opt/maven Java version: 11.0.11, vendor: Ubuntu, runtime: /usr/lib/jvm/java-11-openjdk-amd64 Default locale: en_US, platform encoding: UTF-8 OS name: "linux", version: "5.11.0-37-generic", arch: "amd64", family: "unix"
Apache Maven is a powerful tool for managing software projects.
- Apache Maven is a powerful tool for managing software projects.
- Installing Maven on Ubuntu is straightforward, with options to use package managers or manual installation.
- Using the apt package manager ensures a quick setup with stable versions.
- Manually downloading and configuring Maven is recommended for the latest features and capabilities.
- Setting up environment variables is essential for proper Maven functionality.
- Regularly check for updates to stay on the latest version of Maven, enhancing your project management experience.
Was this guide helpful?
About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
No comments yet — be the first to share your thoughts!