What is Maven and its main features?

Maven is a popular build automation tool used primarily for Java projects. It simplifies the build process by managing project dependencies, providing a standard project structure, and automating the build lifecycle.

Main Features of Maven:

1. Dependency Management: Maven automatically handles project dependencies by downloading them from repositories.
2. Project Object Model (POM): Maven uses a POM file to define project settings, dependencies, and configurations.
3. Build Lifecycle: Maven defines a standard build lifecycle with phases like compile, test, package, install, and deploy.
4. Plugins: Maven supports plugins to extend its functionality and customize the build process.
5. Consistent Project Structure: Maven enforces a standard project structure, making it easier to manage and share projects.
6. Central Repository: Maven accesses a central repository containing a wide range of libraries, making dependency management easier.