Welcome to the Treehouse Community

Want to collaborate on code errors? Have bugs you need feedback on? Looking for an extra set of eyes on your latest project? Get support with fellow developers, designers, and programmers of all backgrounds and skill levels here with the Treehouse Community! While you're at it, check out some resources Treehouse students have shared here.

Looking to learn something new?

Treehouse offers a seven day free trial for new students. Get access to thousands of hours of content and join thousands of Treehouse students and alumni in the community today.

Start your free trial

Android Build a Simple Android App Getting Started with Android Android Project Basics

PRATIK TALREJA
PRATIK TALREJA
1,971 Points
Posted by PRATIK TALREJA
PRATIK TALREJA
1,971 Points

gradle

what does gradle do

1 Answer

Mark Filter
Mark Filter
32,718 Points
Mark Filter
Mark Filter
32,718 Points

Gradle is the preferred Build Tool for Android and is integrated in with Android Studio. Gradle automates and manages the build processes for your application. Not to get too deep into the woods, the code you write in Android Java is compiled down with the JavaC compiler. That code goes through another process known as Dexing. Before Dexing can occur, perhaps you have code from Maven libraries (code from 3rd party sources) that you want your app to capitalize on - well, Gradle will integrate that code into the compile process, allow the JavaC compiler to do its thing, Allow the DEX files to be created with all of your methods to be ready for packaging into the binary APK file that actually runs on your device. You can enjoy a more detailed and technically accurate explanation by visiting the documentation here: