Replace token in file before building, but keep token in sources

Question

I want to replace a @VERSION@ token in a java source file with a version before building (Gradle is my build system of choice).

In my current script a

Answer 1

You only need to replace @VERSION@ tokens before releasing your software to the public. Here I defined a task compileForRelease that accomplishes it:

import org.apache.tools.ant.filters.ReplaceTokens

task sourcesForRelease(type: Copy) {
    from 'src/main/java'
    into 'build/adjustedSrc'
    filter(ReplaceTokens, tokens: [VERSION: '2.3.1'])
}

task compileForRelease(type: JavaCompile, dependsOn: sourcesForRelease) {
    source = sourcesForRelease.destinationDir
    classpath = sourceSets.main.compileClasspath
    destinationDir = file('build/adjustedClasses')
}

I don't recommend messing with standard tasks defined by the Java plugin because that would add unnecessary overhead to each and every build.