How to Use the Command 'cs complete dep' (with examples)

The cs complete dep command is a powerful tool provided by Coursier, an open-source project designed to manage libraries and dependencies in the Java ecosystem. This command allows developers to search for and manage libraries hosted on Maven and Ivy repositories without the necessity to directly browse these repositories via the web. By streamlining the search process, it significantly enhances the efficiency of managing dependencies for Java-based projects.

Use Case 1: Print Which Artifacts Are Published Under a Specific Maven Group Identifier

Code:

cs complete-dep org.scala-lang

Motivation:

In software development, particularly in Java and Scala projects, knowing which artifacts have been published under a particular Maven group ID can provide critical insight into the available libraries and tools. This is particularly beneficial when you are deciding which libraries might be useful to incorporate into your project, as well as when attempting to assess their availability and popularity within the community. By quickly querying a group identifier, developers can enumerate a list of relevant artifacts without having to manually search through Maven repository websites.

Explanation:

• cs complete-dep: This is the base command to complete dependency information using Coursier.
• org.scala-lang: This is the group ID for which you want to list all published artifacts. Group IDs in Maven act like namespaces, categorizing and organizing artifacts published by a particular organization or project.

Example Output:

org.scala-lang:scala-library
org.scala-lang:scala-compiler
org.scala-lang:scala-reflect

Use Case 2: List Published Library Versions Under a Specific Maven Group Identifier and an Artifact One

Code:

cs complete-dep org.scala-lang:scala-library

Motivation:

Developers often need to check for specific versions of a dependency to ensure compatibility with different parts of their software projects. Understanding which versions are available allows developers to make informed decisions about which versions to use, ensuring that they select the appropriate library version that fits their project’s needs and constraints. Searching for this information is cumbersome when done manually, especially for large datasets with numerous version numbers.

Explanation:

• cs complete-dep: Initiates the search for dependencies.
• org.scala-lang:scala-library: A combination of group ID and artifact ID specifying the exact library whose available versions you wish to list.

Example Output:

2.11.12
2.12.10
2.12.11
2.13.3

Use Case 3: Print Which Artifacts Are Published Under a Given Maven Group ID Searching in the Ivy2local

Code:

cs complete-dep org.scala-lang --repository ivy2local

Motivation:

When working with local builds or testing in environments without access to remote repositories, it’s crucial to list and verify artifacts that reside within the local Ivy repository. This can ensure that all dependencies are accounted for and available during local development and testing. This use case is particularly relevant in CI/CD pipelines or offline development scenarios where access to remote repositories is restricted or unavailable.

Explanation:

• cs complete-dep: The command used to query dependencies.
• org.scala-lang: The group ID for which you want to search artifacts in the local repository.
• --repository ivy2local: Specifies the search should be performed in the local Ivy repository instead of a remote one.

Example Output:

org.scala-lang:local-library
org.scala-lang:custom-artifact

Use Case 4: List Published Artifacts Under a Maven Group Identifier Searching in a Specific Repository and Credentials

Code:

cs complete-dep org.custom-group:custom-artifact --repository https://custom.repo.url --credentials user:password

Motivation:

In corporate environments or specialized projects, dependencies may be hosted on private repositories that require authentication. Accessing these repositories with appropriate credentials is essential to list and incorporate these dependencies into a project. Having the ability to search these secured environments for artifacts and their versions empowers developers to manage and update private dependencies efficiently and securely.

Explanation:

• cs complete-dep: The starting command for dependency lookup.
• org.custom-group:custom-artifact: Represents the specific artifact we are interested in, using both its group and artifact identifier.
• --repository https://custom.repo.url: Designates the URL of the specific repository where the search should be conducted.
• --credentials user:password: Supplies the necessary credentials to access the secured repository, with user as the username and password as the password.

Example Output:

1.0.0
1.1.1
2.0.0

Conclusion

The cs complete dep command is an incredibly valuable utility for Java and Scala developers managing dependencies through Coursier, enhancing efficiency by providing quick access to artifact and version listings across various repositories. From listing artifact versions to searching local and private repositories, these use cases demonstrate the command’s flexibility in supporting diverse development needs.