How to activate a Maven profile in a dependent module?

Question

Suppose I have a module A:jar, whose runtime and compilation set of dependencies depends on the JDK version. In my example, I have a pre-jdk6-profile

Answer 1

a) In a multi-module build, you should always build from the top pom, never from an individual module. If you want to build only one module, use advanced reactor options (see mvn --help) like this:

mvn -pl mymodule

b) Define and activate the profile in the parent pom, but add the configuration in the child pom.

parent pom.xml

    
         pre-jdk-6
         
            (,1.6.0)
         
    

child pom.xml

    
        pre-jdk-6

        
            
                javax.xml.ws
                jaxws-api