Free Course

Gradle for Android and Java

by
Google

Build Better Apps Through Automation

About this Course

This course explores how the Gradle build tool compiles and packages apps, and you'll learn to customize the build process. The first half of this course is for anyone interested in Gradle, build automation, and continuous delivery of software.

The latter half of the course reveals the magic that happens after you hit the "Run" button in Android Studio. You'll also explore advanced Android topics, learning to configure free vs paid app flavors, create and integrate Android libraries, test your app, and prepare your app for the Play Store.

Course Cost
Free
Timeline
Approx. 6 weeks
Skill Level
advanced
Included in Product

Rich Learning ContentRich Learning Content

Interactive QuizzesInteractive Quizzes

Taught by Industry ProsTaught by Industry Pros

Self-Paced LearningSelf-Paced Learning

Join the Path to Greatness

Master Android development with Kotlin and build professional apps for the world's most popular mobile platform using Android Studio and Kotlin.

Free Course

Gradle for Android and Java

byGoogle

Enhance your skill set and boost your hirability through innovative, independent learning.

Icon steps
Nanodegree Program

Introduction to Programming

Built in collaboration with Google, this program will prepare you to become a professional Android developer and allow you to create a diverse portfolio of projects to show employers.

 
 

Course Leads

Jeremy Silver

Jeremy Silver

Instructor

Mark Vieira

Mark Vieira

Instructor

What You Will Learn

lesson 1

Gradle Fundamentals

  • Understand Gradle's capabilities and role in Java and Android builds.
  • Learn the Gradle task model
  • and put together your first build!
  • Explore the Gardle build lifecycle.
lesson 2

Gradle for Java

  • Understand the Gradle plugin system
  • and explore the Java plugin.
  • Build and test Java projects.
  • Learn to use Gradle for Dependency management.
lesson 3

Gradle for Android

  • Use Gradle in Android Studio.
  • Explore the features of the Gradle Android plugin and build process.
  • Build an Android app with free and paid product flavors.
lesson 4

Advanced Android Builds

  • Create Android libraries and apps that depend on them.
  • Use advanced features of the Android Gradle Plugin to configure signing
  • obfuscation
  • and optimization.
  • Configure Android testing.
lesson 5

Final Project

  • Build and test a joke telling app with a free ad-supported version and a paid version.
  • As a bonus
  • deploy a Google Cloud Messaging backend to supply the jokes.

Prerequisites and Requirements

This is an advanced course aimed at students with experience developing Android or Java apps.

If you lack this experience, please take Developing Android Apps and Advanced Android App Development prior to taking this course.

  • To follow along with course activities, you must have access to the latest release of Android Studio
  • You should have access to an Android device for running and testing your apps.
  • You should also be familiar with Github. Take our course on Using Git and Github if you lack this background.

See the Technology Requirements for using Udacity.

Why Take This Course

As your software projects get more ambitious, the process of building and deploying your apps will become more and more involved. However, modern software development requires rapid iterative releases, known as continuous delivery. Gradle is a next-generation build automation system that makes continuous delivery of complex projects a reality.

Gradle supports many languages and tools, and is tightly integrated with Android Studio. This course is useful for any developer seeking to understand Gradle, but focuses on Android builds. The default Android build settings are enough to put a simple debug app on your phone, but to build an app that's ready for the Google Play Store, you'll need to understand your build process and how to customize it.

What do I get?
  • Instructor videos
  • Learn by doing exercises
  • Taught by industry professionals