What is the main purpose of a build tool like Maven or Gradle?

The main purpose of a build tool like Maven or Gradle is to automate the process of building, packaging, and managing dependencies of projects. These tools streamline the development workflow by managing the lifecycle of a software project, which includes compiling source code, running tests, packaging the code (such as creating JAR or WAR files), and managing third-party libraries.

By automating these processes, build tools reduce the manual overhead and potential for human error, allowing developers to focus more on writing code and less on the intricacies of the build process. Additionally, they allow for consistent builds across different environments by ensuring that the same dependencies and configurations are used every time the project is built. This capability is essential in modern software development practices, especially in larger projects that involve multiple dependencies and configurations.