Java Build Tooling Could Be So Much Better

Explore the limitations of current Java build tools like Maven and Gradle in this conference talk that examines why Java build tooling has a reputation for being slow, fragile, and confusing despite Java's strengths as a fast, safe, and easy language. Discover how modern build tools in other programming communities outperform Java's current offerings in terms of performance, extensibility, and ease of getting started. Learn about potential improvements through a demonstration of the experimental build tool "Mill," which showcases how Java build tooling could be significantly faster, safer, and more user-friendly than existing solutions. The presentation includes an introduction, the main talk covering build tool comparisons and the Mill demonstration, followed by a Q&A session where the speaker addresses audience questions about Java build tooling challenges and solutions.