Before start using ant, we should be clear about the project name and the .java files and most importantly, the path where the .class files are to be placed.

For example, we want the application HelloWorld to be used with ant. The Java source files are in a subdirectory called Dirhelloworld, and the .class files are to put into a sub directory called Helloworldclassfiles.

1. The build file by name build.xml is to be written. The script is as follows

<project name=”HelloWorld” default=”compiler” basedir=”.”>

<target name=”compiler”>

<mkdir dir = “Helloworldclassfiles”>

<javac srcdir=”Dirhelloworld” destdir=”Helloworldclassfiles”>

</target>

</project>

2. Now run the ant script to perform the compilation:

C :> ant

Buildfile: build.xml

and see the results in the extra files and directory created:

c:>dir Dirhelloworld

c:>dir Helloworldclassfiles

All the .java files are in Dirhelloworld directory and all the corresponding .class are in Helloworldclassfiles directory.

Note: mkdir command is to be used in MS-DOS and mk dir command is to be used in UNIX/Linux

Dir command is to be used in MS-DOS and ls command is to be used in UNIX /Linux