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

WARNING: As indicated in comments by @Raffaele filtering source code may result in serious problems. This answer assumes that you know well what are you doing and are conscious about potential problems that may occur.

The problem is in the fact that java source files are not copied - they're compiled only - in place. So you need to:

1. Before compilation - copy the file that contains @VERSION@
2. Filter the file.
3. Compile
4. Restore original file.

Not sure about paths but the following piece of code should be helpful:

apply plugin: 'java'

version = '0.0.1'
group = 'randers.notenoughvocab'
archivesBaseName = 'NotEnoughVocab'

def versionFile = 'src/main/java/randers/notenoughvocab/main/Reference.java'
def tempDir = 'build/tmp/sourcesCache'
def versionFileName = 'Reference.java'

compileJava.doFirst {
    copy {
        from(versionFile)
        into(tempDir)
    }
    ant.replace(file: versionFile, token: '@VERSION@', value: version)
}

compileJava.doLast {
    copy {
        from(tempDir + '/' + versionFileName)
        into(project.file(versionFile).parent)
    }
}