Gradle for Android - Softcover

Automate the build process for your Android projects with Gradle

About This Book

• Create custom Gradle tasks and plugins for your Android projects
• Configure different build variants, each with their own dependencies and properties
• Manage multi-module projects, and integrate modules interdependently

Who This Book Is For

If you are an experienced Android developer wanting to enhance your skills with the Gradle Android build system, then this book is for you. As a prerequisite, you will need some knowledge of the concepts of Android application development.

What You Will Learn

• Build new Android apps and libraries using Android Studio and Gradle
• Migrate projects from Eclipse to Android Studio and Gradle
• Manage the local and remote dependencies of your projects
• Create multiple build variants
• Include multiple modules in a single project
• Integrate tests into the build process
• Create custom tasks and plugins for Android projects

In Detail

Gradle is an open source build automation system that introduces a Groovy-based domain-specific language (DSL) to configure projects. Using Gradle makes it easy for Android developers to manage dependencies and set up the entire build process.

This book begins by taking you through the basics of Gradle and how it works with Android Studio. Furthermore, you will learn how to add local and remote dependencies to your project. You will work with build variants, such as debug and release, paid and free, and even combinations of these things. The book will also help you set up unit and integration testing with different libraries and will show how Gradle and Android Studio can make running tests easier. Finally, you will be shown a number of tips and tricks on the advanced customization of your application's build process. By the end of this book, you will be able to customize the entire build process, and create your own tasks and plugins for your Gradle builds.

Kevin Pelgrims started his career as a .NET developer in Belgium. After some years working on Windows and web development for corporate clients, he moved to Copenhagen to become part of its start-up community. There, he began working on mobile platforms, and within a year, he was the lead developer of several Android and Windows Phone apps. Kevin is also a regular speaker at the Android developers group in Copenhagen. He maintains multiple Android apps in his spare time and likes to experiment with server-side technology. When he is not busy writing code, he is most likely playing the guitar with his wife and their cat. To follow what Kevin is up to, you can take a look at his blog at http://www.kevinpelgrims.com or follow him on Twitter at @kevinpelgrims.