What is the difference between clean and validate goals in Maven?

Difference between Clean and Validate Goals in Maven

When working with Maven, it is important to understand the difference between the Clean and Validate goals, as they serve different purposes in the build process.

Clean Goal:

The Clean goal in Maven is used to delete the target directory, which contains the compiled classes, JARs, and other build artifacts. This goal helps to ensure a clean slate for the next build, eliminating any remnants from previous builds.

Validate Goal:

The Validate goal in Maven is used to validate the project's structure and configuration. It checks for any errors or inconsistencies in the project setup, such as missing dependencies or incorrect configurations. Running the Validate goal helps to catch these issues early in the build process.

In summary, the Clean goal is used to remove existing build artifacts, while the Validate goal is used to check and validate the project configuration and setup.

Understanding when to use each goal is essential for maintaining a smooth and error-free build process in Maven.