How do Java and Maven builders work together in eclipse?

Question

do I understand correctly, that Java builder recompiles sources on scr path to the output path, which usually happens after each \"ctrl + s\" if automatic building is activa

Answer 1

The main purpose of the Maven builder is to ensure the correctness of your POM file and pull down the dependencies that you need. It will go out and check for new dependencies if you save your POM file, and it will report errors when it cannot find dependencies.

Additionally, the maven builder will run a maven build up to the goal that you have set in Preferences -> Maven->Goal to run after updating project configuration after you do a Project->Clean... on your project from eclipse or make changes to the POM file and save it from within eclipse.

The Java Builder is still in charge of building the project and reporting compiler errors in the Problems view, for providing the input for the built in jUnit runner in eclipse, etc.