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Simpler Java Build Tools with Object-Oriented Programming
Java as a language is fast, expressive, and well-supported by IDEs, but the same cannot always be said of its build tools. Why is build tooling such a challenging space, and how can we make it simpler and more intuitive?
This talk explores how object-oriented programming (OOP) concepts like methods, classes, and overrides can bring clarity and performance to the world of Java build tools. You will learn how applying OOP principles helps model the complex dependency graphs, configuration rules, and custom behaviors that real-world projects demand, without the friction of legacy DSLs or opaque configuration files.
The session concludes with a demonstration of Mill, an experimental build tool that embraces OOP to deliver a faster, more predictable, and easier-to-understand build experience. You will see how Mill achieves simplicity through structure and discover what a truly developer-friendly Java build system can look like.
What You Will Learn
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Why build tooling is a hard problem and how OOP principles simplify it
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How methods, classes, and overrides map naturally to build configurations
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How the Mill build tool uses OOP to improve performance and maintainability
Who Should Attend
Developers, build engineers, and architects interested in modernizing their Java build processes through clear, object-oriented design principles.
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About the speaker
Haoyi Li
Software Engineer, Mill Build
Li Haoyi graduated from MIT, has built infrastructure for high-growth companies like Dropbox and Databricks, and has been a major contributor to the open source community with projects with over 10,000 stars on Github. Haoyi has deep experience in the JVM and has used it professionally to build cloud infrastructure, distributed backend systems, programming languages, high-performance web applications, and much more.
