Build properties in Ant - An Introduction

Guys, in our previous post we saw a basic build.xml file with some basic target definitions. Note that we mentioned a property or two in it. But have you ever wondered, what happens if you have multiple properties to define? Yea that's when we use a build.properties file.

Let's create a build.properties file and we define all the properties inside it. The advantage of using a properties file is that whenever you want to modify/update the value of any property you only have to do it once in this build.properties. You don't have to look into the build.xml to see when and where you want to modify things. This makes life a lot easier, which otherwise would have been cumbersome.

Ok so I create a new build.properties with the following updated folder structure :

You must have observed that in our older post we included some hardcoded directory paths directly in the build.xml. That's a quite crude way to define the paths and is not advisable. Hardcoded paths should be avoided as much as possible. So what we do is create some properties and define their values equal to the directory paths. Something like this :

versionnum=1.3

workspace.src=/Users/ironcladzone/Documents/workspace/AntBuildTest/src

src.dir=/Users/ironcladzone/Documents/workspace/AntBuildTest/build/src

bin.dir=/Users/ironcladzone/Documents/workspace/AntBuildTest/build/bin

Note that we have also included an additional property named "versionnum" to assign a certain version number to the jar package that we created.

Now we only need to provide a reference to these properties in our build.xml file. Take a look at the new updated build.xml below :

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<project name="AntBuildTest" default="create-jar" basedir=".">

<property name="build.home" value="${basedir}" />

<property file="build.properties"/>

<target name="clean">

<delete dir="${build.home}/src" />

<delete dir="${build.home}/bin" />

<delete dir="${build.home}/lib" />

<delete dir="${build.home}/test" />

<delete dir="${build.home}/dist" />

</target>

<target name="createdir" depends="clean">

<mkdir dir="${build.home}/src" />

<mkdir dir="${build.home}/bin" />

<mkdir dir="${build.home}/lib" />

<mkdir dir="${build.home}/test" />

<mkdir dir="${build.home}/dist" />

</target>

<path id="classpath">

<pathelement location="${build.home}/bin"></pathelement>

</path>

<target name="copydir" depends="createdir">

<copydir src="${workspace.src}"

dest="${src.dir}"></copydir>

</target>

<target name="compile" depends="copydir, clean">

<javac classpathref="classpath" includeantruntime="false"

srcdir="${src.dir}"

destdir="${bin.dir}"

includes="**/*.java"></javac>

</target>

<target name="create-jar" depends="compile">

<jar basedir="${build.home}/bin" destfile="${build.home}/dist/TestJar-${versionnum}.jar"

includes="**/*.class"></jar>

</target>

</project>

Don't you think the new build.xml looks much cleaner now? It does! Right? Okay so with today's post I've introduced you to the concept of properties. In the next post, we'll try to refine the script and introduce some new features into it. Keep visiting folks.

BONUS TIP : Note that properties are immutable. So once a build starts, the value assigned to the properties remain constant. However, if am not wrong, we can update the properties at build time using the propertyFile task. Note that this is different than the <property file> tag. Notice there is no space there in the propertyFile task.

Ok guys, signing out for the day. Let's meet up again tomorrow. Till then, ciao!

Change text Case using shell script

In today's post we cover a simple problem - change the case of text i.e either from lowercase to uppercase or vice versa. Let's look at a few examples.

Let's say I have a file SedText.rtf as follows :

1.Here is a cute little tutorial for

2.trying out different things using

3.the Stream Editor or Sed in Unix.

4.The author of this tutorial is

5.none other than IroncladWriter

6.himself. The tutorial aims to

7.teach folks and educate how

8.they could unlock the power

9.of Unix to the fullest. Am posting

10.this on the blog IronCladZone

11.The best blog on the whole of

12.internet, where you can learn

13.technical stuff as well enjoy 

14.entertaining tidbits like movies,

15.music, television, fashion, food,

16.shopping, travel, trends etc.

17.Just sit back, relax and

18.ENJOY THE RIDE :)

Now for converting the file into all Uppercase from the command line, use the following :

tr a-z A-Z < SedText.rtf 

Output : 

1.HERE IS A CUTE LITTLE TUTORIAL FOR\

2.TRYING OUT DIFFERENT THINGS USING\

3.THE STREAM EDITOR OR SED IN UNIX.\

4.THE AUTHOR OF THIS TUTORIAL IS\

5.NONE OTHER THAN IRONCLADWRITER\

6.HIMSELF. THE TUTORIAL AIMS TO\

7.TEACH FOLKS AND EDUCATE HOW\

8.THEY COULD UNLOCK THE POWER\

9.OF UNIX TO THE FULLEST. AM POSTING\

10.THIS ON THE BLOG IRONCLADZONE\

11.THE BEST BLOG ON THE WHOLE OF\

12.INTERNET, WHERE YOU CAN LEARN\

13.TECHNICAL STUFF AS WELL ENJOY \

14.ENTERTAINING TIDBITS LIKE MOVIES,\

15.MUSIC, TELEVISION, FASHION, FOOD,\

16.SHOPPING, TRAVEL, TRENDS ETC.\

17.JUST SIT BACK, RELAX AND\

18.ENJOY THE RIDE :)

Similarly for converting from uppercase to lowercase,  use the following command :

tr A-Z a-z < SedText.rtf 

Ant - Build.xml example on Mac OS X

In today's post guys, we'll cover the topic of building a very simple Java based project using Apache Ant. We'll learn how to write a basic build.xml file for building it.  Let's first look into the code for build.xml and then we'll breakdown the code with the explanation.

build.xml :

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<project name="AntBuildTest" default="create-jar" basedir=".">

<property name="build.home" value="${basedir}" />

<target name="clean">

<delete dir="${build.home}/src" />

<delete dir="${build.home}/bin" />

<delete dir="${build.home}/lib" />

<delete dir="${build.home}/test" />

<delete dir="${build.home}/dist" />

</target>

<target name="createdir" depends="clean">

<mkdir dir="${build.home}/src" />

<mkdir dir="${build.home}/bin" />

<mkdir dir="${build.home}/lib" />

<mkdir dir="${build.home}/test" />

<mkdir dir="${build.home}/dist" />

</target>

<path id="classpath">

<pathelement location="${build.home}/bin"></pathelement>

</path>

<target name="copydir" depends="createdir">

<copydir src="/Users/ironcladzone/Documents/workspace/AntBuildTest/src"

dest="/Users/ironcladzone/Documents/workspace/AntBuildTest/build/src"> </copydir>

</target>

<target name="compile" depends="copydir">

<javac classpathref="classpath" includeantruntime="false"

srcdir="/Users/ironcladzone/Documents/workspace/AntBuildTest/build/src"

destdir="/Users/ironcladzone/Documents/workspace/AntBuildTest/build/bin"

includes="**/*.java"></javac>

</target>

<target name="create-jar" depends="compile">

<jar basedir="${build.home}/bin" destfile="${build.home}/dist/TestJar.jar"

includes="**/*.class"></jar>

</target>

</project>

Now let's look into the folder structure in the Eclipse Package Explorer :

Now, let's get down to the explanation guys :

1. First of all, AntBuildTest is my project workspace which has the source code in it.

2. Next I created a build directory under which I created the above build.xml file.

3. Now in the builds.xml I have defined various steps/tasks also known as targets viz : clean, createdir, copydir, compile, create-jar. Note that a build.xml will still successfully build even if it doesn't have a single target defined.

4. For every build.xml file, we first have to define the <project></project> tag, in which we mention the project name, basedir and default target to be executed.

5. Basedir is the location of the current root directory in which build.xml exists i.e the absolute path

6. The default target that we define, will be the task/target which will be executed. Now the target can have dependencies on other targets.

7. Note that target can have one or many dependencies on multiple targets.

8. The 'clean' target is the target to delete all sub-directories that we create in the 'createdir' target. So every time we perform a clean build, the directories created in the last build will be deleted.

9. In the 'createdir' target, we make directories namely : src, bin, lib, test, dist.

10. We now want to copy the source code from our local workspace to the 'src 'directory that we create in the 'createdir' target,. So in the 'copydir' target we define the step to copy the source code.

11. Now once we have the source code, we need to compile it right. So we define the 'compile' target wherein we define 'srcdir' i.e the location where we have our java files. Also we mention the 'destdir' as the bin folder i.e this is where we want our .class files to be saved.

12. During compilation, we need to specifically tell the xml where the .class files would be. So we need to define the classpath. 

13. We define the classpath i.e the bin directory which will have the .class files.

<pathelement location="${build.home}/bin"></pathelement>

14. After compilation, we define the 'create-jar' target, in which we create the jar package - TestJar.jar. Make sure not to miss the .jar file extension. Note that we have mentioned the include parameter for including the **/*.class files that need to be included in it.

15. We have also defined the 'destfile' parameter i.e the location where we want the jar file to be saved i.e the 'dist' directory for distribution.

16. Oh and I missed the 'lib' directory, which will basically hold the external jar files required for our project.

17. Well, I hope I covered the simple basic fundamental points surrounding an Ant build.  Let me know if I missed any point guys. If I did, I'll try to cover them in detail in an another upcoming post covering an advanced scenario. Till then, ciao!

Arithmetic Operators in Java - Live practical examples : Part 1

In today's post we'll cover the topic of arithmetic operators in Java with some real live examples. In this post, we'll skip the theory and go straightaway for some practical examples. With these examples, you will get to grasp and understand the operator functions much quicker than ever.

Check out the following code in which we have used multiple combinations of arithmetic operators in different positions.

package com.ironcladzone;

public class operator1 {

public static void main(String[] args) {

System.out.println("Example 1 :" + 3 + 4 + 5);

System.out.println("Example 2 : " + 3 + 4 * 5);

System.out.println("Example 3 : " + 3 + 12 * 10);

System.out.println("Example 4 : " + 3 * 4 + 5);

System.out.println("Example 5 : " + 3 * 4 / 5);

System.out.println("Example 6 : " + 5 / 4 * 5);

System.out.println("Example 7 : " + 10 / 4 + 5);

System.out.println("Example 8 : " + 10 + 4 / 5);

System.out.println("Example 9 : " + 10 + 15 / 5);

System.out.println("Example 10 : " + 125 / 10 / 5);

System.out.println("Example 11 : " + 50 / 10 / 5);

System.out.println("Example 12 : " + 23 / 10 / 5);

System.out.println("Example 13 : " + 23 / 10 / 5 + 4);

System.out.println("Example 14 : " + 3 + 4 + 5 / 7);

System.out.println("Example 15 : " + 3 + 4 + 5 * 2);

System.out.println("Example 16 : " + 3 + 5 / 5 * 2);

System.out.println("Example 17 : " + 3 + 22 / 5 * 2);

System.out.println("Example 18 : " + 3 + 7 / 5 * 2);

System.out.println("Example 19 : " + 2 + 8 / 5 * 2);

System.out.println("Example 20 : " + 3 * 9 / 5 + 2.59);

}

}

Output : 

Example 1 :345

Example 2 : 320

Example 3 : 3120

Example 4 : 125

Example 5 : 2

Example 6 : 5

Example 7 : 25

Example 8 : 100

Example 9 : 103

Example 10 : 2

Example 11 : 1

Example 12 : 0

Example 13 : 04

Example 14 : 340

Example 15 : 3410

Example 16 : 32

Example 17 : 38

Example 18 : 32

Example 19 : 22

Example 20 : 52.59

If you observe closely, you may find a few of the combinations are tricky. For instance, note that the + sign we have used, is for string concatenation and not to be confused with the plus sign used for addition.

This was just the first set of live examples. Another exhaustive post on more examples is on its way. Stay tuned folks. Am also quite sure this code will help you cover the basic operator concepts if you're planning to give the Oracle Java Certification 1Z0-803. Good luck guys. Signing out.

Add a character at a specific location within strings using Awk

Folks, in previous examples we saw how to add a prefix to strings in a file and how to add a suffix to strings in a file. In today's example, we'll see how to add a character somewhere in the middle of multiple strings in a file at the same time.

We'll use the same data as used in previous examples. Let's use a text file named Phones_unformatted.txt with the following phone numbers data :

2127841212
3458922345
7713398403
6461228847

Now we want to add a - sign after the first 3 digits to separate the area code. Notice that all phone numbers are of 10 digits. We want to add a - sign between the 3rd and 4th character.

For doing this lets use awk again :

awk '$0=substr($0,1,3) "-" substr($0,4,7)' Phones_unformatted.txt

Output :

212-7841212

345-8922345

771-3398403

646-1228847

Notice how we have used substr() function to split the entire 10 digit phone number into 2 parts. The first part is between 1-3rd character and the second part is from 4-10th character.

Similarly, lets say for e.g. we want to add the - sign twice within the string i.e once between 3rd and 4th character and the next - between 6th and 7th character. The awk code for doing this is as follows :

awk '$0=substr($0,1,3) "-" substr($0,4,3) "-" substr($0,7,4)' Phones_unformatted.txt

Output :

212-784-1212

345-892-2345

771-339-8403

646-122-8847

This way, you could append the string with the "-" character or anything like a dot "." or maybe just a whitespace " ".

awk '$0=substr($0,1,3) " " substr($0,4,3) " " substr($0,7,4)' Phones_unformatted.txt

Output :

212 784 1212

345 892 2345

771 339 8403

646 122 8847

List all baselines of a stream in IBM RTC

For listing out all baselines of a stream using the Rational Team Concert command line interface, type the following command.

Usage :

lscm list baselines -r repository-name -w stream-name

Eg :

lscm list baselines -r https://jtsrv.uk.hibm.company:9094/jazz -w htse.mydocs.inc.midata.release

Notice we haven't used any double quotes for any parameter in the syntax for this command.

Kala Ghoda Festival 2016, Mumbai : PhotoStream

Hello fellas! Presenting an artsy post today featuring the Kala Ghoda arts festival 2016, Mumbai. FYI, Kala Ghoda literally means Black Horse.

Check out the raw unedited PhotoStream here. (Pardon the photo quality since its taken with a cheap phone camera)

The festival which is held every here in the Kala Ghoda area of Fort neighborhood, Mumbai. It features a variety of entertainment programs like :

• Street art fest featuring unique sculptures and installations.
• Poetry and book reading sessions
• Street plays and dramas
• Music shows
• Workshops
• Theatre shows
• Food and cuisine tasting sessions and much much more...

The official schedule can be found here. Also do check this map for a quick location guide. Make sure you visit it since 14th Feb is the last closing day, in case you missed it.