How to import code from outside into gradle build file? - gradle

Question

My build files are large and messy, making them difficult to read. like below:
plugins {
...
id "com.google.protobuf" version "0.8.17"
}
dependencies {
implementation "androidx.datastore:datastore-core:1.0.0"
implementation "com.google.protobuf:protobuf-javalite:3.18.0"
...
}
protobuf {
protoc {
artifact = "com.google.protobuf:protoc:3.14.0"
}
// Generates the java Protobuf-lite code for the Protobufs in this project. See
// https://github.com/google/protobuf-gradle-plugin#customizing-protobuf-compilation
// for more information.
generateProtoTasks {
all().each { task ->
task.builtins {
java {
option 'lite'
}
}
}
}
}
I want to define the above code into an external file, and then introduce it into the build file, how should I do it?

Answer 1

According to the Gradle documentation, as of now it is not possible to move the plugin block to other file than the project’s build script or settings.gradle file.
For the other sections, let's say dependencies or protobuf, then you can move these sections on a separate gradle files and import them by using the following statement:
apply from: "${project.rootDir}/your-gradle-file"
Of course the path of your-gradle-file should be adjusted according to the project's folder structure you decide.
If you want to split the dependencies into multiple gradle file you can do the following:
on your main gradle file:
dependencies {
apply from: "${project.rootDir}/depsGroup1.gradle"
apply from: "${project.rootDir}/depsGroup2.gradle"
}
and within each depsGroup file:
dependencies {
implementation xyz
}