Gradle def vs ext

Question

What is the difference between using ext.varname and def varname. E.g. the following code seems to work the same:

task copyLicenses {
    def outDir = project.buildDir.absolutePath + '/reports/license/'

    doLast {
        copy {
            from 'licenses'
            into outDir
            include '*'
        }

seems to work exactly the same as

task copyLicenses {
    ext.outDir = project.buildDir.absolutePath + '/reports/license/'

    doLast {
        copy {
            from 'licenses'
            into outDir
            include '*'
        }

score 37 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 12:10

37

Keyword def comes from Groovy and means that variable has local scope.

Using ext.outDir means that you add property outDir to ExtraPropertiesExtension, think of it like project has a map of properties with name ext, and you put your property in this map for later access.

edited May 23 '17 at 12:10

Community

1
1

answered May 12 '16 at 12:01

AdamSkywalker

11,408
3
38
76

Gradle def vs ext

1 Answers1

Linked