How to preference library in maven

Question

I have imported two library in my project

    <dependency>
        <groupId>javax.servlet</groupId>
        <artifactId>servlet-api</artifactId>
        <version>2.5</version>
        <scope>provided</scope>
    </dependency>
    <dependency>
        <groupId>javax</groupId>
        <artifactId>javaee-web-api</artifactId>
        <version>6.0</version>
        <scope>provided</scope>
    </dependency>

now I want to use class HttpServletRequest from package javaee-web-api. Problem is that javax servlet contains this class too and application is using this instead of library what I want to. How I can change it ?

Couldn't you just use the jee api and remove the servlet api? I think jee already contains the full servlet api. — Stephan, Aug 13 '12 at 07:12
because dependency javax.servlet I have in parent project which I cant edit and now I am creating new where I need to use javaee-web-api — hudi, Aug 13 '12 at 07:21

score 2 · Answer 1 · answered Aug 13 '12 at 07:12

2

You cannot. Remove either one. Both classes are in the same namespace/package. HttpServletRequest is defined by a standard it should behave the same way.

answered Aug 13 '12 at 07:12

Michael-O

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score 1 · Answer 2 · edited May 23 '17 at 10:24

Since you have a comment now that explains that the javax.servlet is coming from the parent pom then I don't think it is possible. It has been discussed before: Is there anyway to exclude artifacts inherited from a parent POM?

If you have any kind of control on the parent pom then you should try to change it to have an optional tag:

<dependency>
    <groupId>javax.servlet</groupId>
    <artifactId>servlet-api</artifactId>
    <version>2.5</version>
    <scope>provided</scope>
    <optional>true</optional>
</dependency>

Then it won't be included as a transitive dependency for your child project.

http://maven.apache.org/guides/introduction/introduction-to-optional-and-excludes-dependencies.html

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Aug 13 '12 at 07:46

Ok I found it. I can exclude this library:

<exclusions>
                <exclusion>
                    <artifactId>servlet-api</artifactId>
                    <groupId>javax.servlet</groupId>
                </exclusion>
            </exclusions>

and then it works

How to preference library in maven

3 Answers3