[java] Maven: How to change path to target directory from command line?

Maven: How to change path to target directory from command line?

(I want to use another target directory in some cases)

Colin is correct that a profile should be used. However, his answer hard-codes the target directory in the profile. An alternate solution would be to add a profile like this:

    <profile>
        <id>alternateBuildDir</id>
        <activation>
            <property>
                <name>alt.build.dir</name>
            </property>
        </activation>
        <build>
            <directory>${alt.build.dir}</directory>
        </build>
    </profile>

Doing so would have the effect of changing the build directory to whatever is given by the alt.build.dir property, which can be given in a POM, in the user's settings, or on the command line. If the property is not present, the compilation will happen in the normal target directory.