Mvn install or Mvn package

Question

I am new to Maven, I have a Java based web project with maven configured in my MyEclipse.
Now if I modified any java files then do I need to do Run as -> Mvn install or Mvn package?

Answer 1

From the Lifecycle reference, install will run the project's integration tests, package won't.

If you really need to not install the generated artifacts, use at least verify.

Answer 2

mvn install is the option that is most often used.
mvn package is seldom used, only if you're debugging some issue with the maven build process.

See: http://maven.apache.org/guides/introduction/introduction-to-the-lifecycle.html

Note that mvn package will only create a jar file.
mvn install will do that and install the jar (and class etc.) files in the proper places if other code depends on those jars.

I usually do a mvn clean install; this deletes the target directory and recreates all jars in that location.
The clean helps with unneeded or removed stuff that can sometimes get in the way.
Rather then debug (some of the time) just start fresh all of the time.