The XML file that contains one or more asant targets. A target is a set of tasks you want to be executed. When starting asant, you can select which targets you want to have executed. When no target is given, the project’s default target is executed.

In the context of advanced Java development, a build file typically refers to a configuration file used by build tools such as Apache Maven or Apache Ant. These tools are employed to automate the process of compiling, testing, and packaging Java projects. The build file contains instructions and configurations that specify how the build tool should perform these tasks.

For Apache Maven, the build file is usually named pom.xml (Project Object Model), and it includes project information, dependencies, plugins, and build goals. Maven uses this file to manage the entire build lifecycle of a Java project.

For Apache Ant, the build file is commonly named build.xml, and it contains tasks and targets specifying the steps needed to build a Java project. Ant allows developers to define their own build processes using XML.

In summary, a build file in the context of advanced Java development is a configuration file that build tools use to automate the build process of a Java project.