**Course Title:** Build and Package Management in Modern Development **Section Title:** Advanced Topics in Build and Package Management **Topic:** Implement a build system using Gradle for a sample Java project.(Lab topic) **Overview** In this hands-on lab topic, we will implement a build system using Gradle for a sample Java project. Gradle is a powerful build tool that offers flexibility and customization options, making it a popular choice for modern development. By the end of this topic, you will have a solid understanding of how to configure and use Gradle for your Java projects. **Prerequisites** To complete this lab topic, you should have: 1. A basic understanding of Java development 2. Familiarity with build systems and package management 3. Gradle installed on your system (version 7.x or higher) 4. A code editor or IDE of your choice (e.g., IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, Visual Studio Code) **Step 1: Create a Sample Java Project** Create a new Java project using your preferred IDE or code editor. For this example, we will use a simple "Hello, World!" project. Create a new directory for your project and add the following `HelloWorld.java` file: ```java public class HelloWorld { public static void main(String[] args) { System.out.println("Hello, World!"); } } ``` **Step 2: Initialize a Gradle Project** Open a terminal or command prompt and navigate to your project directory. Initialize a new Gradle project by running the following command: ```bash gradle init --type java-application ``` This command will create a `build.gradle` file, which is the build configuration file for your Gradle project. **Step 3: Configure the Build Script** Open the `build.gradle` file and add the following code to specify the Java version and repositories: ```groovy plugins { id 'java' } group 'com.example' version '1.0' repositories { mavenCentral() } dependencies { implementation 'org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter' } ``` In this example, we specify the Java plugin, set the group and version for our project, and add the Spring Boot starter dependency. **Step 4: Build and Run the Project** Run the following command to build the project: ```bash gradle build ``` This command will compile, test, and package the project. You can also run the project using the following command: ```bash gradle run ``` This command will execute the `HelloWorld` class with the `main` method. **Step 5: Customize the Build Script** Customize the `build.gradle` file to suit your needs. For example, you can add more dependencies, specify custom source paths, or configure testing frameworks. **Step 6: Publish the Project** To publish the project to a local repository or a remote repository (e.g., Maven Central), you can use the `publish` task: ```bash gradle publish ``` **Additional Resources** * Gradle Documentation: [https://docs.gradle.org/current/userguide/userguide.html](https://docs.gradle.org/current/userguide/userguide.html) * Gradle GitHub Repository: [https://github.com/gradle/gradle](https://github.com/gradle/gradle) **Practical Takeaways** * Create a new Gradle project for a Java application * Configure the build script to specify Java version and repositories * Add dependencies and customize the build script * Build and run the project using Gradle * Publish the project to a local or remote repository **Conclusion** In this lab topic, you have implemented a build system using Gradle for a sample Java project. You have learned how to configure the build script, add dependencies, and customize the build process. Practice what you have learned by applying Gradle to your own Java projects. If you have any questions or need help, please leave a comment below. We'll be happy to assist you. **Next Topic: Review of Key Concepts and Tools** In the next topic, we will review the key concepts and tools that you have learned throughout the course. Get ready to reinforce your knowledge and prepare for the final project. After completing this topic, proceed to the `Review of Key Concepts and Tools` topic to reinforce your learning.