Gradle 7.0, the latest update to the widely-used build automation tool, brings significant performance improvements, especially for those involved in Android development and other projects. A major enhancement in this version is the introduction of faster incremental builds, which promise to streamline development workflows and boost productivity. This update builds upon previous incremental build features but takes them a step further by ensuring quicker and more efficient builds, saving developers valuable time.
One of the standout features in Gradle 7.0 is the default activation of file system watching. This feature, which was initially available as an opt-in in Gradle 6.5 and further refined in Gradle 6.7, is now automatically enabled. File system watching helps Gradle track changes within the project files, allowing it to maintain an in-memory map of the file system state between builds. This reduces the need for repeated file system reads, significantly speeding up the build process by focusing only on the changes since the last build.
With file system watching in place, Gradle becomes more adept at performing incremental builds. When an incremental build is executed, Gradle compares the input and output files to determine which parts of the project need to be rebuilt. This targeted approach ensures that only necessary changes are processed, which can result in substantial time savings, particularly in larger projects. However, there is a tradeoff: while the incremental build process saves time, it can introduce additional I/O overhead, which may be more noticeable in larger projects where only minor changes have been made.
Gradle 7.0 also extends its support to Java 16, ensuring compatibility with the latest features of the Java programming language. This update enables developers to leverage the new capabilities and improvements introduced in Java 16, further enhancing the versatility and performance of Gradle in various development environments. Overall, the updates in Gradle 7.0 position it as a more powerful and efficient tool, empowering developers to streamline their workflows and take advantage of the latest advancements in Java.