yWorks Ant Explorer

yWorks Ant Explorer is a tool to visualize Ant build scripts. It clearly and concisely presents both the targets and their dependencies as well as the used properties.
Furthermore, as a special feature, yWorks Ant Explorer allows you to visualize the run of Ant build scripts.

For further information and an introduction, simply visit walkthrough.

yWorks Ant Explorer can be used in a number of different scenarios.
The stand-alone version can be installed both locally and via Java WebStart. It provides analysis of local Ant scripts without the need for additional software.
The local installation can be used as a wrapper for the usual command line "ant" allowing execution of local Ant scripts. It enables effective processing of Ant builds which are at the same time visually presented in an animated fashion.

yWorks Ant Explorer can also be used as an integrated component within popular IDEs. Appropriate plugins are available for Eclipse, IntelliJ Idea, and NetBeans.
This provides any Java developer with the means to clearly visualize his or her build process from within his or her favorite working environment.

Benefits of yWorks Ant Explorer

• yWorks Ant Explorer is absolutely free!
• yWorks Ant Explorer supports Ant, the de-facto build tool standard
  Nowadays, Ant is featured in almost all areas of Java programming and beyond. Common IDEs provide Ant support, which increases both the impact and the complexity of Ant scripts.
• yWorks Ant Explorer provides powerful integration into popular IDEs
  For the most part, Ant scripts are generated and executed directly from within the developer's IDE.
  yWorks Ant Explorer easily integrates into popular IDEs (currently NetBeans, IntelliJ Idea, and Eclipse).
• yWorks Ant Explorer integrates transparently
  yWorks Ant Explorer can be executed directly replacing the usual command line "ant". Visualization of the build script's run is achieved at the same time the script is processed.
• yWorks Ant Explorer helps identifying complex dependencies
  Complex Ant scripts comprising complicated target dependencies can prove to be difficult to maintain. By visualizing these dependencies, yWorks Ant Explorer will provide you with the means to both understand them and to distinguish relevant form dispensable information.
  yWorks Ant Explorer supports nested Ant scripts ("import") and invocation using "antcall."
• yWorks Ant Explorer presents properties
  Nested properties, especially those combining several other properties (e.g. class paths) are difficult to understand intuitively.
  yWorks Ant Explorer evaluates the content of such properties and presents both their dependencies and contents.
• yWorks Ant Explorer visualizes Ant build script runs
  The run of a build script is visualized by animating the status of its targets.
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