Could not find method api() for arguments [directory 'libs']

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Open File

This is my gradle file:

apply plugin: 'com.android.application'

    android {
        compileSdkVersion 27
        buildToolsVersion "27.0.1"
        defaultConfig {
            applicationId "com.landdrops.cricketfantacy.androidbottom"
            minSdkVersion 21
            targetSdkVersion 27
            versionCode 1
            versionName "1.0"
            testInstrumentationRunner "android.support.test.runner.AndroidJUnitRunner"
        }
        buildTypes {
            release {
                minifyEnabled false
                proguardFiles getDefaultProguardFile('proguard android.txt'), 'proguard-rules.pro'
            }
        }
    }

    dependencies {
        implementation fileTree(include: ['*.jar'], dir: 'libs')
        implementation 'com.android.support:appcompat-v7:27.0.1'
        implementation 'com.android.support:design:27.0.1'
        implementation 'com.android.support.constraint:constraint-layout:1.0.2'
        testImplementation 'junit:junit:4.12'
        androidTestImplementation 'com.android.support.test.runner:1.0.2'
        androidTestImplementation 'com.android.support.test.espresso:espresso-core:2.2.2'
    }

I am getting

Error:(23, 0) Could not find method implementation() for arguments [directory 'libs'] on object of type org.gradle.api.internal.artifacts.dsl.dependencies.DefaultDependencyHandler. Open File

What is your gradle version and android plugin version? – Nongthonbam Tonthoi Mar 22 '18 at 10:05 — Nongthonbam Tonthoi, Mar 22 '18 at 10:05
try replacing compile with implementation. – Ankit Mehta Mar 22 '18 at 13:19 — Ankit Mehta, Mar 22 '18 at 13:19
I have tried using implementation and API But non worked. – Sushan Dhital Mar 23 '18 at 14:46 — Sushan Dhital, Mar 23 '18 at 14:46

score 78 · Answer 1 · edited Jan 27 '20 at 16:08

78

For my Java library project I needed to use java-library plugin instead of java:

- apply plugin: 'java'
+ apply plugin: 'java-library'

edited Jan 27 '20 at 16:08

acdcjunior

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answered Jan 13 '20 at 04:22

tonisives

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score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 18 '18 at 18:53

I was able to correct this error by updating most dependencies to current version (not sure that necessary, and when the most current version conflicted with a dependency of another component, I reverted one release back and it cleared up the mismatch. At this time, I am using 27.1.0 for appCompat, design. (I use 27.0.3 for build tools tho)

Gradle wrapper to version 4.4 (this was actually prompted for me to do when loading an outdated project and updating the plugin)

Adjusted project build.gradle to use: classpath 'com.android.tools.build:gradle:3.1.1'

Could not find method api() for arguments [directory 'libs']

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