Gradle is a build tool used to:
.jar or .war filesIt automates all the steps needed to get your Spring Boot app ready to run.
You define everything in a file called build.gradle (or build.gradle.kts for Kotlin DSL).
| Feature | Gradle | Maven |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Uses Groovy (or Kotlin) | Uses XML |
| Speed | Faster with incremental builds | Slower for large builds |
| Flexibility | Very customizable | More rigid and strict |
| Readability | Shorter and cleaner syntax | Verbose due to XML |
| Default Structure | Flexible project layout | Follows strict directory structure |