Overview

About the new gradle plugin environment:

• Developed by Google
• Has replaced the ADT.
• Extends the java gradle plugin.
• Libraries now officially stored in .aar's (c.f. java .jar's)
  • These can be stored in maven repositories.

• Synchronises with IDE builds (now with android studio, not eclipse).

Videos and resources:

• Introduction w/ Video

• User Guide

• Roadmap

• Gradle Scripting Reference

Gradle Plugin - ADT Differences

• Configuration info from project.properties -> gradle.

• No more custom android project update calls needed.
• Need gradle 1.6+ for the android gradle plugin (ubuntu system gradle not sufficient).

• All folders by default now under src/main, e.g. src/main/java, src/main/resources.

  • AndroidManifest.xml also under src/main.

• Point gradle at your android sdk via the ANDROID_HOME variable

• Merging manifests is a bit more strict (particularly how android_core was specifying a NodeMainExecutor service in library and app - the app specification was lax).

• Libraries need a dummy <application/> tag in them until a bug gets fixed (android gradle plugin version 0.5)