In most cases, it is recommended to include the mvnw file (Maven Wrapper) in the repository. Below, I will outline several reasons and their advantages:
Consistency and Convenience
The Maven Wrapper (mvnw) ensures that the project builds using a specific version of Maven, regardless of the Maven version installed in the environment. This is important because it enables all developers and CI/CD systems to operate within the same build environment, thereby ensuring consistent builds.
Example
Suppose a project starts with Maven 3.6.3. Over time, Maven releases new versions (e.g., 3.8.1), and new developers may directly install the latest version. If the project includes mvnw, then regardless of the Maven version installed on the developer's machine, all developers will use the project-specified 3.6.3 version to build the project, avoiding potential issues caused by version differences.
Easy Management and Deployment
For new team members or when deploying in new CI/CD environments, using Maven Wrapper simplifies the process. Team members or deployment systems only need to clone the repository and run the ./mvnw command, without worrying about installing and configuring the correct Maven version.
Cross-Platform Support
mvnw supports both Windows (mvnw.cmd) and Unix/Linux (mvnw) systems, ensuring cross-platform compatibility. This means that regardless of the operating system used by developers, builds can be executed seamlessly.
Conclusion
Including the mvnw file in the repository is a good practice as it ensures consistent project builds and developer-friendliness. This reduces build failures due to environmental differences and improves development efficiency. Of course, this requires the team to agree on usage rules and ensure all members understand and follow them.