I have written my own ANT task to perform some function. However, I need this task to invoke a java task as a nest task. So I have the following code in my build file:
<mytask ... > <java ... /> </mytask> I would like to run a piece of code after the java task finishes executing but before mytask completes, for the purpose of cleanup.
Is this a broken design, not recommended in build files? If not, which method should I over-ride in order to run the cleanup method?
Let your task implement the org.apache.tools.ant.TaskContainer interface, write your own addTask(Task task) method.
For example (it should only take a task named "java"):
private List<Task> _nestedTask = new ArrayList<>(); public void addTask(Task task) { if (task.getTaskName().equals("java")) { _nestedTasks.add(task); } else { throw new BuildException("Support only nested <java> task."); } } Please note that if you write multiple nested <java> tasks in your build file, you need to handle them by your self. To execute the nested <java> tasks, just iterate through the list and call execute() method for each task.
Update:
When a nested task is added, it doesn't run automatically. It won't even run if its execute() method is not called in your custom task.
So... A very basic and simple example:
// your custom task's execute... public void execute() { //do something for (Task task : _nestedTask) { task.perform(); // here the nested task is executed. } //do something } 
addTask method gets called only before the nested task is executed, so where should I call the cleanup method so that it gets called after the java task?
addTask and calling task.execute is two seperate steps. addTask is called by Ant, but it doesn't mean that the nested task is executed when it is added. The nested task won't run until you call its execute method. See my updated answer.
task.perform() in the loop.
Run nested task in custom taskor similar... may draw more attention.