If you have downloaded a binary distribution, you do not need to build James.
Proceed directory to Step 1.
To compile James from the source code you need Ant.
This is a Java-tailored, XML-configured, extensible build or make system. We
are currently using Ant 1.4, which is included in the source distribution.
If you have downloaded a daily snapshot, you need to build a distribution.
James includes Ant to compile and package its distribution. Extract the snapshot
to your favorite directory, cd to that directory and run the build by calling "build"
or "./build.sh" which will create an unpacked binary distribution
in the dist directory, but no archives.
This "./dist" directory is the distribution directory used in Step 1 and beyond.
You may either cd to ./dist, or you may copy and rename the dist directory to your
installation directory.
If you prefer you can run build with the "dist" task "build dist"
(or "./build.sh dist"). This will create the distribution in the "./dist"
directory as well as create .tgz and .zip copies of this directory, however it may
require other resources to build the documentation.
Warning! Any changes you've made in the 'dist' directory
will be lost after a recompilation. If you are making changes to the conf.xml
or other files, we recommend you backup and then change the copies in src to
avoid losing work.