[Yandex Cloud documentation](../../../index.md) > [Yandex Cloud Registry](../../index.md) > [Concepts](../index.md) > [Artifacts](index.md) > Java artifact

# Java artifact

A _Java artifact_ is a file containing compiled [Java](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Java_(programming_language)) code and relevant information. [Artifacts](index.md) are used to distribute libraries, frameworks, and other components you can add to Java projects.

## Maven {#maven-inf}

[Maven](https://maven.apache.org/) is a project build automation tool and a project management system. To manage project artifacts, it relies on the dependency concept. Dependencies are described in the main project configuration file named `pom.xml`.

In Maven, artifacts are [ZIP files](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZIP_(file_format)) with specific content which are used as dependencies in other projects. Examples of artifacts: 
* [JAR (Java Archive)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JAR_(file_format)).
* [WAR (Web Application Archive)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WAR_(file_format)).

For more information about Maven, see [this documentation](https://maven.apache.org/guides/index.html).

#### Useful links {#see-also}

[Supported artifact types](index.md#artifacts)