Gradle Cookbook by Example

This sample demonstrates a multi-project build with Eclipse support. It includes multiple layers of modules that depend on each other and a simple Swing UI for a thick client application.

Modules

• common – basic utilities shared across the repo
• library – library logic depending on common
• data – data access using commons-io and commons-lang3
• service – service layer combining data and library
• ui – Swing user interface depending on service
• app – runnable entry point assembling everything

Building

gradle build eclipse

Import the project into Eclipse via Buildship after running the eclipse task. If you prefer to use the Gradle wrapper, first run gradle wrapper to generate the wrapper JAR files.

Docker

A simple Dockerfile is provided to run the app in a container:

docker build -t cookbook-app .
docker run --rm cookbook-app

Packaging

Scripts under scripts/ illustrate how you might package the application with install4j for Windows. Example:

./scripts/package-install4j.sh

Eclipse import and hot reload

1. Run ./gradlew eclipse and import the project via File ▸ Import ▸ Existing Gradle Project.
2. In Preferences ▸ Gradle ▸ Synchronization enable Synchronize automatically after builds.
3. Launch the app run configuration from the Gradle Tasks view. While it runs under the debugger, editing a method signature in library and saving will trigger HotswapAgent to reload the class.
4. For instant recompiles run ./gradlew -t classes in the background so Eclipse picks up new class files immediately.

Cookbook Documentation

The book/ directory contains the structure for the Gradle Cookbook. Each chapter includes an outline and a Jupyter notebook so you can experiment with the code.