How to Install Maven on Ubuntu 24.04

What is Maven?

Apache Maven is a powerful build automation and project management tool used primarily for Java projects. It helps manage project dependencies, builds, testing, packaging, documentation, and deployment in a structured and standardized way. Maven uses a declarative XML file (pom.xml) to describe the project structure and configuration, ensuring repeatable builds across environments.

Running Maven on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS gives developers a stable, long-term supported platform with access to modern Java versions, ideal for both individual and enterprise-grade Java applications.

Key Features of Maven

Project Management

Manages project structure, metadata, and configurations through pom.xml
Supports a consistent project layout and lifecycle

Dependency Management

Automatically downloads and manages third-party libraries from Maven Central Repository or custom repositories
Handles transitive dependencies to reduce conflicts

Build Automation

Supports compiling source code, running unit tests, packaging JAR/WAR files, and generating documentation
Follows a defined build lifecycle (compile, test, package, install, deploy)

Plugins and Extensibility

Offers a rich ecosystem of plugins for code quality, reporting, deployment, and integrations
Easily integrates with JUnit, Surefire, Checkstyle, SonarQube, and other tools

Multi-module Projects

Supports large applications by organizing them into reusable, interdependent modules
Enables consistent management across teams and services

Why Use Maven on Ubuntu 24.04?

Ubuntu 24.04 is a modern and robust environment for Java development:

Includes support for OpenJDK 21 and newer
Seamless integration with development tools like Git, Docker, Jenkins, and VS Code
Compatible with systemd, Snap packages, and cloud-based deployment pipelines
Long-Term Support (LTS) until 2029 ensures platform stability and security

Typical Use Cases

Building Java SE, Java EE, and Spring Boot applications
Managing and packaging RESTful APIs, enterprise services, and microservices
Generating and deploying JARs, WARs, and Java libraries
Automating builds and deployments in CI/CD pipelines
Organizing multi-module Java projects across large codebases

System Requirements

Component	Requirement
OS	Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (64-bit)
Java Runtime	OpenJDK 8 or newer (OpenJDK 17/21 recommended)
Memory	512 MB minimum (1 GB+ recommended)
Disk Space	500 MB+ for Maven and local repository
Internet	Required for downloading dependencies

Advantages of Using Maven

Standardized build process across teams and projects
Reduces manual configuration and dependency errors
Integrates well with IDEs, CI/CD systems, and build tools
Supports both local and remote repositories
Rich plugin system with community support
Automates repetitive tasks like testing, packaging, and publishing

Maven vs Gradle

Feature	Maven	Gradle
Build Language	XML (`pom.xml`)	Groovy/Kotlin DSL
Performance	Slower (especially first build)	Faster (incremental builds)
Configuration	Declarative	Declarative + Scriptable
Learning Curve	Easier for beginners	Steeper
IDE Support	Excellent	Excellent
Dependency Management	Stable and predictable	More flexible

Security Considerations

Use only trusted repositories (e.g., Maven Central)
Regularly update dependencies to patch known vulnerabilities
Use plugins like versions-maven-plugin to check for outdated libraries
Configure proxy settings securely if behind corporate firewalls
Review pom.xml files in third-party projects before use

Maven on Ubuntu 24.04 is a powerful and stable solution for Java developers seeking to build, manage, and maintain robust applications. It enforces best practices, automates project lifecycles, and ensures consistent builds across environments. Combined with Ubuntu’s LTS support, Maven provides a reliable and modern development environment for projects of any scale.

Step 1: Create a New Server on Shape.Host

To begin, you’ll need a clean server environment. Here’s how to create one on Shape.Host:

Go to https://shape.host and log in.

Click “Create”, then select “Instance”.

Choose your preferred server location.

Shape.host instance form with the data center location selector highlighted.

Select Ubuntu 24.04 (64-bit) as the operating system.

Pick a hosting plan with at least 2 CPUs, 4 GB RAM, and 20 GB SSD.

Shape.host instance form with the operating system image selector highlighted.

Click “Create Instance”.

Shape.host instance form with the Create Instance button highlighted.

Once the server is ready, copy its IP address from the Resources section.

Shape.host Resources dashboard with the server IP address highlighted.

Step 2: Connect to Your Server

On Linux/macOS:

ssh root@your_server_ip

On Windows, connect using PuTTY.

Step 3: Update System Package Index

apt update

This makes sure your package list is up to date with the latest available versions.

Terminal showing APT package management commands and output.

Step 4: Install Java (Required by Maven)

apt install default-jdk

Maven requires Java to compile and run Java applications. This command installs the default OpenJDK available on Ubuntu 24.04.

Step 5: Check Java Version

java -version

This confirms Java was installed. You should see output with version info like openjdk 17.

Terminal showing java commands or output during Check Java Version.

Step 6: Download Apache Maven

wget https://dlcdn.apache.org/maven/maven-3/3.9.9/binaries/apache-maven-3.9.9-bin.tar.gz

This downloads the latest stable version of Maven (3.9.9) from the official Apache website.

Step 7: Extract the Maven Archive

tar xf apache-maven-3.9.9-bin.tar.gz -C /opt

This command extracts the tarball into the /opt directory, which is commonly used for optional or third-party software.

Terminal showing file download commands and transfer output.

Step 8: Create Environment Variables File

nano /etc/profile.d/maven.sh

Paste the following lines into the file to define Maven and Java environment variables:

export JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/jvm/default-java 
export M3_HOME=/opt/apache-maven-3.9.9 
export MAVEN_HOME=/opt/apache-maven-3.9.9
export PATH=${M3_HOME}/bin:${PATH}

Save and exit (CTRL+O, ENTER, CTRL+X).

Terminal showing the GNU nano editor and configuration text.

Step 9: Make the Script Executable

chmod +x /etc/profile.d/maven.sh

This ensures the script can be executed to set up the environment variables.

Step 10: Load the Maven Environment

source /etc/profile.d/maven.sh

This applies the new environment variables for your current session.

Step 11: Verify Maven Installation

mvn -version

Terminal showing file ownership or permission commands.

With Shape.Host, you get:

Fast Cloud SSD VPS-powered Ubuntu 24.04 servers
Root access to install tools like Maven and Java
Global server locations
Easy scalability for larger Java projects

Get started now at https://shape.host and spin up your Maven-ready server in seconds!