Release notes for Groovy 3.0

Groovy 3.0 comes with a brand-new parser (code-named Parrot) and host of other new features and capabilities.

Parrot Parser

Groovy 3.0, has a new parser that is far more flexible and maintainable than the parser in previous versions of Groovy. It’s called the Parrot parser because in the early days of creating the parser, the goal was for the new parser’s output to be an exact echo of what the old parser produced. The new parser has since been extended to support additional syntax options and language features. Some of the new features include:

  • do-while loops; enhanced (now supporting commas) classic for loops, e.g. for(int i = 0, j = 10; i < j; i++, j--) {..})

  • lambda expressions, e.g. stream.map(e → e + 1)

  • method references and constructor references

  • try-with-resources, AKA ARM

  • code blocks, i.e. {..}

  • Java style array initializers, e.g. new int[] {1, 2, 3}

  • default methods within interfaces

  • additional places for type annotations

  • new operators: identity operators(===, !==), elvis assignment(?=), !in, !instanceof

  • safe index, e.g. nullableVar?[1, 2]

  • non-static inner class instantiation, e.g. outer.new Inner()

  • runtime groovydoc, i.e. groovydoc with @Groovydoc; groovydoc attached to AST node as metadata

P.S. Parrot is based on the highly optimized version of antlr4(com.tunnelvisionlabs:antlr4), which is licensed under BSD.

do/while loop

Java’s class do/while loop is now supported. Example:

// classic Java-style do..while loop
def count = 5
def fact = 1
do {
    fact *= count--
} while(count > 1)
assert fact == 120

Enhanced classic Java-style for loop

The more elaborate form of Java’s classic for loop with comma-separate expressions is now supported. Example:

def facts = []
def count = 5
for (int fact = 1, i = 1; i <= count; i++, fact *= i) {
    facts << fact
}
assert facts == [1, 2, 6, 24, 120]

Multi-assignment in combination with for loop

Groovy has supported multi-assignment statements since Groovy 1.6:

// multi-assignment with types
def (String x, int y) = ['foo', 42]
assert "$x $y" == 'foo 42'

These can now appear in for loops:

// multi-assignment goes loopy
def baNums = []
for (def (String u, int v) = ['bar', 42]; v < 45; u++, v++) {
    baNums << "$u $v"
}
assert baNums == ['bar 42', 'bas 43', 'bat 44']

Java-style array initialization

Groovy has always supported literal list/array definitions using square brackets and has avoided Java-style curly braces so as not to conflict with closure definitions. In the case where the curly braces come immediately after an array type declaration however, there is no ambiguity with closure definitions, so the Java style is now also supported.

Examples:

def primes = new int[] {2, 3, 5, 7, 11}
assert primes.size() == 5 && primes.sum() == 28
assert primes.class.name == '[I'

def pets = new String[] {'cat', 'dog'}
assert pets.size() == 2 && pets.sum() == 'catdog'
assert pets.class.name == '[Ljava.lang.String;'

// traditional Groovy alternative still supported
String[] groovyBooks = [ 'Groovy in Action', 'Making Java Groovy' ]
assert groovyBooks.every{ it.contains('Groovy') }

Java-style Lambda syntax

The Java syntax for lambda expressions is now supported.

Examples:

(1..10).forEach(e -> { println e })

assert (1..10).stream()
                .filter(e -> e % 2 == 0)
                .map(e -> e * 2)
                .toList() == [4, 8, 12, 16, 20]

The normal variants are supported and Groovy adds additional features such as default parameter values:

// general form
def add = (int x, int y) -> { def z = y; return x + z }
assert add(3, 4) == 7

// curly braces are optional for a single expression
def sub = (int x, int y) -> x - y
assert sub(4, 3) == 1

// parameter types are optional
def mult = (x, y) -> x * y
assert mult(3, 4) == 12

// no parentheses required for a single parameter with no type
def isEven = n -> n % 2 == 0
assert isEven(6)
assert !isEven(7)

// no arguments case
def theAnswer = () -> 42
assert theAnswer() == 42

// any statement requires braces
def checkMath = () -> { assert 1 + 1 == 2 }
checkMath()

// example showing default parameter values (no Java equivalent)
def addWithDefault = (int x, int y = 100) -> x + y
assert addWithDefault(1, 200) == 201
assert addWithDefault(1) == 101

Implementation details and static optimization

For dynamic Groovy, lambda expressions are turned into equivalent Groovy closures. So (e) → { println e } is the same as {e → println e}. In the spirit of providing a more Java-like experience when using @CompileStatic, we support native lambda expressions for static Groovy.

Method references

The Java 8 method reference syntax using the double colon syntax is now supported. Let’s first look at some of the supported cases before coming back to some implementation details.

The following examples illustrate referencing both static and instance methods of a class:

import java.util.stream.Stream

// class::staticMethod
assert ['1', '2', '3'] ==
        Stream.of(1, 2, 3)
                .map(String::valueOf)
                .toList()

// class::instanceMethod
assert ['A', 'B', 'C'] ==
        ['a', 'b', 'c'].stream()
                .map(String::toUpperCase)
                .toList()

The following examples illustrate referencing methods of instance variables:

// instance::instanceMethod
def sizeAlphabet = 'ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ'::length
assert sizeAlphabet() == 26

// instance::staticMethod
def hexer = 42::toHexString
assert hexer(127) == '7f'

The following examples illustrate referencing constructors:

// normal constructor
def r = Random::new
assert r().nextInt(10) in 0..9

// array constructor refs are handy when working with various Java libraries, e.g. streams
assert [1, 2, 3].stream().toArray().class.name == '[Ljava.lang.Object;'
assert [1, 2, 3].stream().toArray(Integer[]::new).class.name == '[Ljava.lang.Integer;'

// works with multi-dimensional arrays too
def make2d = String[][]::new
def tictac = make2d(3, 3)
tictac[0] = ['X', 'O', 'X']
tictac[1] = ['X', 'X', 'O']
tictac[2] = ['O', 'X', 'O']
assert tictac*.join().join('\n') == '''
XOX
XXO
OXO
'''.trim()

// also useful for your own classes
import groovy.transform.Canonical
import java.util.stream.Collectors

@Canonical
class Animal {
    String kind
}

def a = Animal::new
assert a('lion').kind == 'lion'

def c = Animal
assert c::new('cat').kind == 'cat'

def pets = ['cat', 'dog'].stream().map(Animal::new)
def names = pets.map(Animal::toString).collect(Collectors.joining( "," ))
assert names == 'Animal(cat),Animal(dog)'

Implementation details and static optimization

While for the most part you can ignore implementation details, it is useful to understand the implementation behind method references in some scenarios. For dynamic Groovy, a method reference is implemented as a Closure method reference. So String::toUpperCase is the same as String.&toUpperCase. In the spirit of providing a more Java-like experience when using @CompileStatic, we support native method references for static Groovy.

For this example (using String.transform from JDK 12):

@groovy.transform.CompileStatic
def method() {
  assert 'Hi'.transform(String::toUpperCase) == 'HI'
}

The compiler will produce bytecode very similar to what Java would produce for this case (involves INVOKEDYNAMIC, method handles and LambdaMetafactory for the bytecode geeks). If you are already using @CompileStatic for extra compile-time type safety or performance, then the code will be semantically equivalent but optimized similar to Java.

If you have code making use of dynamic features, then you should not use @CompileStatic with your method references, e.g.:

def convertCase(boolean upper, String arg) {
    arg.transform(String::"${upper ? 'toUpperCase' : 'toLowerCase'}")
}
assert convertCase(true, 'Hi') == 'HI'
assert convertCase(false, 'Bye') == 'bye'

Since here the GString prohibits the compiler from knowing how to write the optimized code that would be required. Note: this example is a little contrived and could be refactored to call one of two optimized method references but hopefully you get the idea.

The same caveat applies if you want to make use of the Closure nature behind the dynamic implementation, e.g.:

def upper = String::toUpperCase
assert upper('hi') == 'HI'
def upperBye = upper.curry('bye')
assert upperBye() == 'BYE'

!in and !instanceof operators

When wanting the negated form, rather than having to bracket expressions containing the in and instanceof infix operators and placing the exclamation operator in front of the brackets, an inline variant is now also supported. Examples:

/* assert !(45 instanceof Date) // old form */
assert 45 !instanceof Date

assert 4 !in [1, 3, 5, 7]

Elvis assignment operator

Groovy introduced the Elvis operator Example:

import groovy.transform.ToString

@ToString
class Element {
    String name
    int atomicNumber
}

def he = new Element(name: 'Helium')
he.with {
    name = name ?: 'Hydrogen'   // existing Elvis operator
    atomicNumber ?= 2           // new Elvis assignment shorthand
}
assert he.toString() == 'Element(Helium, 2)'

Identity comparison operators

Both === and !== are supported which are the same as calling the is() method, and negating a call to the is() method respectively.

import groovy.transform.EqualsAndHashCode

@EqualsAndHashCode
class Creature { String type }

def cat = new Creature(type: 'cat')
def copyCat = cat
def lion = new Creature(type: 'cat')

assert cat.equals(lion) // Java logical equality
assert cat == lion      // Groovy shorthand operator

assert cat.is(copyCat)  // Groovy identity
assert cat === copyCat  // operator shorthand
assert cat !== lion     // negated operator shorthand

Safe indexing

String[] array = ['a', 'b']
assert 'b' == array?[1]      // get using normal array index
array?[1] = 'c'              // set using normal array index
assert 'c' == array?[1]

array = null
assert null == array?[1]     // return null for all index values
array?[1] = 'c'              // quietly ignore attempt to set value
assert null == array?[1]

def personInfo = [name: 'Daniel.Sun', location: 'Shanghai']
assert 'Daniel.Sun' == personInfo?['name']      // get using normal map index
personInfo?['name'] = 'sunlan'                  // set using normal map index
assert 'sunlan' == personInfo?['name']

personInfo = null
assert null == personInfo?['name']              // return null for all map values
personInfo?['name'] = 'sunlan'                  // quietly ignore attempt to set value
assert null == personInfo?['name']

"var" reserved type

Groovy supports a def type placeholder. It can be used with fields, local variables, method parameters and as a method’s return type. In dynamic Groovy, you use def when the type is deemed not important at compile time - normal runtime typing still applies. For static Groovy, it is used when type inference is preferred over an explicit type.

In Groovy 3.0, a new type placeholder is available: var. It provides the syntax equivalent of Java 10’s var reserved type (but you can use it with Groovy 3 from JDK 8). It can be used for fields, local variables and parameters. It can also be used for lambda parameters (a Java 11 feature). In all cases, it can be considered an alias for def.

var two = 2                                                      // Java 10
IntFunction<Integer> twice = (final var x) -> x * two            // Java 11
assert [1, 2, 3].collect{ twice.apply(it) } == [2, 4, 6]
Note
Incubating Status: Using var with @CompileStatic is regarded as an incubating feature. Currently it is a direct alias for def which means in that scenario, type inference will be available which yields similar behavior to Java in most cases. Groovy’s behavior does differ from Java in cases involving flow typing. The incubating status indicates that we reserve the right to change the behavior for these flow typing cases. While some users have expressed the desire for a behavior closer to Java when var is used with @CompileStatic and flow typing, we currently don’t think the extra complexity in changing behavior is warranted. We are however still exploring possibilities in this area.

ARM Try with resources

Groovy often provides better alternatives to Java 7’s try-with-resources statement for Automatic Resource Management (ARM). That syntax is now supported for Java programmers migrating to Groovy and still wanting to use the old style:

class FromResource extends ByteArrayInputStream {
    @Override
    void close() throws IOException {
        super.close()
        println "FromResource closing"
    }

    FromResource(String input) {
        super(input.toLowerCase().bytes)
    }
}

class ToResource extends ByteArrayOutputStream {
    @Override
    void close() throws IOException {
        super.close()
        println "ToResource closing"
    }
}

def wrestle(s) {
    try (
            FromResource from = new FromResource(s)
            ToResource to = new ToResource()
    ) {
        to << from
        return to.toString()
    }
}

def wrestle2(s) {
    FromResource from = new FromResource(s)
    try (from; ToResource to = new ToResource()) { // Enhanced try-with-resources in Java 9+
        to << from
        return to.toString()
    }
}

assert wrestle("ARM was here!").contains('arm')
assert wrestle2("ARM was here!").contains('arm')

Which yields the following output:

ToResource closing
FromResource closing
ToResource closing
FromResource closing

Nested code blocks

An infrequently used structure within Java is the anonymous code block. It’s generally not encouraged as it’s often a sign that refactoring the related code into a method is in order. But it’s sometimes useful to restrict scoping and is now available in Groovy:

{
    def a = 1
    a++
    assert 2 == a
}
try {
    a++ // not defined at this point
} catch(MissingPropertyException ex) {
    println ex.message
}
{
    {
        // inner nesting is another scope
        def a = 'banana'
        assert a.size() == 6
    }
    def a = 1
    assert a == 1
}

Be aware though that in Groovy having a code block looking structure after any method call will be seen as an attempt to pass a closure as the last parameter in the method call. This happens even after a new line. So it’s safe to start an anonymous code block after any other block (e.g. an if-then-else statement or another anonymous code block). Anywhere else and you might need to terminate the previous statement with a semicolon. In which case, see the note above about refactoring your code! :-)

Java-style non-static inner class instantiation

Java syntax for non-static inner class instantiation is now supported.

public class Computer {
    public class Cpu {
        int coreNumber

        public Cpu(int coreNumber) {
            this.coreNumber = coreNumber
        }
    }
}

assert 4 == new Computer().new Cpu(4).coreNumber

Interface default methods

Java 8 supports adding default implementations to interfaces. Groovy’s traits mechanism provides a more powerful set of OO abstractions for inheriting implementation behavior, but Java users are now familiar with default methods, so Groovy now supports the same syntax:

interface Greetable {
    String target()

    default String salutation() {
        'Greetings'
    }

    default String greet() {
        "${salutation()}, ${target()}"
    }
}

class Greetee implements Greetable {
    String name
    @Override
    String target() { name }
}

def daniel = new Greetee(name: 'Daniel')
assert 'Greetings, Daniel' == "${daniel.salutation()}, ${daniel.target()}"
assert 'Greetings, Daniel' == daniel.greet()
Note
Incubating Status: While this feature will remain, its current implementation, using traits, has incubating status. It results in the same behavior as Java’s implementation but with less compact bytecode. We are still exploring approaches to also support native default methods in interfaces.

System properties to configure that new parser

  • groovy.antlr4 can be set to false in Groovy 3.x to disable the new parser (set via JAVA_OPTS if needed). This property is not needed in normal use, however, at least initially, if you have a problematic source file that doesn’t seem to work with the new parser, you may be able to revert to the old parser to compile just that file. You won’t be able to use any of the new language features with the old parser. The old parser is deprecated and will be removed in Groovy 4.

  • groovy.attach.groovydoc: whether to attach groovydoc to node as metadata while parsing groovy source code(default: false)

  • groovy.attach.runtime.groovydoc: whether to attach @Groovydoc annotation to all members which have groovydoc(i.e. /** …​ */)

  • groovy.antlr4.cache.threshold: how frequently to clear the DFA cache, which is used to store symbol information during parsing (default: 64). The more frequently the DFA cache is cleared, the poorer parsing performance will be, but less memory will be used. The implementation may restrict the threshold to not be lower than some minimum value.
    Notice: This is an advanced internal setting which affects the memory allocation behavior of the parser. You should only need to adjust this value if you are facing memory problems when compiling large Groovy files.

  • groovy.clear.lexer.dfa.cache: whether to clear the DFA cache of the Groovy lexer once a threshold is reached (default: false)
    Notice: This is an advanced internal setting which affects the memory allocation behavior of the parser. You should only need to adjust this value if you are facing memory problems when compiling large Groovy files.

GDK improvements

Groovy adds many extension methods to existing Java classes. In Groovy 3, about 80 new such extension methods were added. We highlight just a few here:

average() on arrays and iterables

assert 3 == [1, 2, 6].average()

takeBetween() on Strings, CharSequences and GStrings

assert 'Groovy'.takeBetween( 'r', 'v' ) == 'oo'

shuffle() and shuffled() on arrays and iterables

def orig = [1, 3, 5, 7]
def mixed = orig.shuffled()
assert mixed.size() == orig.size()
assert mixed.toString() ==~ /\[(\d, ){3}\d\]/

collect{ } on Future

Future<String> foobar = executor.submit{ "foobar" }
Future<Integer> foobarSize = foobar.collect{ it.size() } // async
assert foobarSize.get() == 6

minus() on LocalDate

def xmas = LocalDate.of(2019, Month.DECEMBER, 25)
def newYear = LocalDate.of(2020, Month.JANUARY, 1)
assert newYear - xmas == 7 // a week apart

Miscellaneous improvements

@NullCheck AST transformation

Allows null checking guards to be automatically added to methods or constructors which ensure all parameters are supplied with non-null values (GROOVY-8935).

Embedded Groovydoc

You can now embed Groovydoc comments in various ways:

  • They can be made available within the AST for use by AST transformations and other tools. Our revamped groovydoc tool (still under development) is based on this capability. Behind the scenes the groovydoc content is stored as node metadata but a simple API hides this implementation detail. This feature is enabled using the groovy.attach.groovydoc system property or corresponding flag in CompilerConfiguration.

  • Groovydoc comments starting with a special /**@ opening comment delimiter can also be embedded into the class file (behind the scenes it’s stored in a @Groovydoc annotation) and is available at runtime for access via reflection or via other tools. This is enabled using the groovy.attach.runtime.groovydoc system property or corresponding flag in CompilerConfiguration. This provides a capability in Groovy inspired by languages like Ruby which can embed documentation into the standard binary jar and is thus always available rather than relying on a separate javadoc jar.

Here is an example illustrating access to groovydoc comments within the AST:

import org.codehaus.groovy.control.*

def cc = new CompilerConfiguration(optimizationOptions:
    [(CompilerConfiguration.GROOVYDOC): true])

def ast = new CompilationUnit(cc).tap {
    addSource 'myScript.groovy', '''
        /** class doco */
        class MyClass {
            /** method doco */
            def myMethod() {}
        }
    '''
    compile Phases.SEMANTIC_ANALYSIS
}.ast

def classDoc = ast.classes[0].groovydoc
assert classDoc.content.contains('class doco')
def methodDoc = ast.classes[0].methods[0].groovydoc
assert methodDoc.content.contains('method doco')

Here is an example using illustrating runtime groovydoc (with and without the flag set):

import org.codehaus.groovy.control.*

def extract(shell) {
    shell.evaluate( '''
        /**@
         * Some class groovydoc for Foo
         */
        class Foo {}
        Foo.class
        '''
    ).groovydoc.content.replaceAll('[^\\w\\s]', '').trim()
}

// first without the flag set
assert extract(new GroovyShell()) == ''

// now with embedding turned on
def cc = new CompilerConfiguration(optimizationOptions:
    [(CompilerConfiguration.RUNTIME_GROOVYDOC): true])
assert extract(new GroovyShell(cc)) == 'Some class groovydoc for Foo'

JSR308 improvements (work in progress)

Groovy has been improving JSR-308 support over recent versions. As part of implementing the new grammar, additional support has been added.

Split package changes (from beta-2)

The Java Platform Module System requires that classes in distinct modules have distinct package names. Groovy has its own "modules" but these haven’t historically been structured according to the above requirement. For this reason, Groovy 2.x and 3.0 should be added to the classpath not module path when using JDK9+. This places Groovy’s classes into the unnamed module where the split package naming requirement is not enforced.

Groovy 3 is making changes to allow the codebase to move towards the compliant rules and allow Groovy users to begin the migration process. Groovy 4 is our target version for fully-compliant artifacts but you can start getting your classes ready ahead of time while using Groovy 3.

As part of this change, some classes are moving packages. In a subset of those moved classes, it makes sense for Groovy 3 to have two copies of such classes:

  • a deprecated class having the old package name

  • a new class having the new package name

This can aid with migration. In many cases, you will be able to recompile existing Groovy classes without change and they will use the old versions of the classes. You may notice deprecation warnings depending on how you edit classes. You should migrate as soon as convenient since your classes may no longer compile under Groovy 4 if you haven’t migrated to the new class location. Be aware that in some cases, some work is required even under Groovy 3. Read the Notes column in the table below for further details.

Original class/package name (3.0 and lower if applicable)

New copied class/package name
(3.0 and above)

Notes

Module: groovy

groovy.xml.QName

groovy.namespace

You need to migrate to using the new class at the same time as you migrate to affected modules using that class as a parameter in methods including groovy-ant and groovy-xml but only if you are using methods with QName parameters. You can continue to use the legacy class in your existing code or with the legacy versions of affected classes until Groovy 4.

Module: groovy-ant

groovy.util

groovy.ant

Add an import groovy.ant.AntBuilder to classes/scripts using AntBuilder or you will still be using the deprecated version.

Module: groovy-console

groovy.ui.ConsoleApplet

N/A

The java.applet API is deprecated. No replacement is planned for this Groovy class in Groovy 4.

groovy.inspect

groovy.console

groovyConsole is normally used as a command-line tool and its use in that form is unaffected. If you use any of the classes directly you can use the old versions until you migrate. You should not mix and match old and new classes.

groovy.inspect.swingui

groovy.console.ui

groovy.ui

groovy.console.ui

Module: groovy-groovysh

org.codehaus.groovy.tools.shell

org.apache.groovy.groovysh

groovysh is normally used as a command-line tool and its use in that form is unaffected. If you use any of the classes directly you can use the old versions until you migrate. You should not mix and match old and new classes.

Module: groovy-jmx

groovy.util.GroovyMBean

groovy.jmx

You need to add the import for GroovyMBean before Groovy 4. Feel free to use the old class in your own code but JmxBuilder only uses the new class. You should not mix the old and new classes.

Module: groovy-nio

org.codehaus.groovy.runtime.
NioGroovyMethods

org.apache.groovy.nio.extensions.
NioExtensions

In normal use, related extension methods will simply be automatically available from the new location.

org.codehaus.groovy.runtime.
WritablePath

org.apache.groovy.nio.runtime

We recommend that you reference WritablePath via its interfaces in which case you have nothing to do. If you must reference the class, we recommend changing imports and recompiling all affected classes. If this is difficult, you can use the old class (and directly use the related NioGroovyMethods methods) until you are ready to migrate. You should not mix and match old and new classes.

Module: groovy-swing

org.codehaus.groovy.binding

org.apache.groovy.swing.binding

You can continue to use the old classes if you use them in your existing code or from within legacy classes still using the old classes. SwingBuilder now uses the new classes.

groovy.model

groovy.swing.model

groovy.inspect.swingui

org.apache.groovy.swing.table

Module: groovy-test

org.codehaus.groovy.runtime.
ScriptTestAdapter

org.apache.groovy.test

The old class remains available for use in your own classes if already in use but won’t be recognized by Groovy 3’s JUnit-related test suite classes.

groovy.transform.
NotYetImplemented

groovy.test.
NotYetImplemented

Both point to the (moved but otherwise unchanged) AST transform class.

groovy.util

groovy.test

For classes like GroovyTestCase, you need to import groovy.test.GroovyTestCase to not get the deprecated version. You will need to do this before Groovy 4.

groovy.lang

groovy.test

Module: groovy-xml

groovy.util

groovy.xml

For classes like XmlParser and XmlSlurper, you need to import groovy.xml.XmlParser and groovy.xml.XmlSlurper respectively to not get the deprecated versions. You will need to do this before Groovy 4. If you are using groovy.xml.XmlUtil.serialize on a groovy.util.slurpersupport.GPathResult, you will need to swap to using the deprecated methods in groovy.util.XmlUtil since groovy.xml.XmlUtil only handles the new classes.

org.codehaus.groovy.tools.xml.DomToGroovy

org.apache.groovy.xml.tools

Other breaking changes

In addition to the split package changes, the following other breaking changes exist:

  • For JDK13+ users, consider using stripIndent(true) instead of stripIndent() (GROOVY-9423)

  • If a Groovy switch statement has a default branch, it is now required to be the last branch

  • If you extend ProcessingUnit and override setConfiguration, override configure instead (GROOVY-9122)

  • If you override GroovyClassLoader, be aware that the types for sourceCache and classCache have changed from Map to stronger types (GROOVY-9112)

  • You may notice some minor changes wrt whitespace positioning for help output for Groovy tools and CliBuilder usage with Picocli (GROOVY-8925)

  • Iterating over a String has been made consistent between static and dynamic Groovy (GROOVY-8882)

  • Alpha versions of Groovy 3 incorrectly let you leave off the brackets when printing empty maps, but they are now required, e.g println([:])

  • Groovy used to bundle a version of picocli in the distribution but that locked folks into using the supplied version. You may now need to add an extra @Grab in certain scripts. (GROOVY-9165)

  • To avoid usually unnecessary import processing, ImportCustomizer is applied once per module rather than previously once per class (GROOVY-8399). If you need the old behavior, see the workaround in (GROOVY-9407).

Known issues

  • 3.0.0 was missing some classes needed for complete operation on JDK9+ without warnings.

JDK requirements

Groovy 3.0 requires JDK9+ to build and JDK8 is the minimum version of the JRE that we support.

More information

You can browse all the tickets closed for Groovy 3.0 in JIRA.

Addendum for 3.0.3

JUnit 3 users using the @NotYetImplemented annotation should consider one of the following:

  • Stick with the legacy/deprecated @groovy.transform.NotYetImplemented annotation

  • If using the now recommended @groovy.test.NotYetImplemented annotation, use the exception=junit.framework.AssertionFailedError annotation attribute

  • Consider upgrading to JUnit 4 or 5

For further details see (GROOVY-9492).

Addendum for 3.0.4

We bumped the Groovy dependency for TestNG to 7.2.0. Unfortunately, at the time of release, that version exists only in jcenter, not Maven central. If you are using the groovy-all pom or bom, you can add jcenter as a repository to your configuration if not already listed:

Gradle: build.gradle
repositories {
    jcenter()
    ...
}
Maven: pom.xml
<repositories>
  <repository>
    <id>central</id>
    <name>bintray</name>
    <url>http://jcenter.bintray.com</url>
  </repository>
</repositories>

Alternatively, if you are not using TestNG, you can exclude groovy-testng, e.g.:

Gradle: build.gradle
dependencies {
    implementation("org.codehaus.groovy:groovy-all:3.0.4") {
        exclude(group: 'org.codehaus.groovy', module: 'groovy-testng')
    }
}
Maven: pom.xml
<dependencies>
  <dependency>
    <groupId>org.codehaus.groovy</groupId>
    <artifactId>groovy-all</artifactId>
    <version>3.0.4</version>
    <scope>compile</scope>
    <exclusions>
      <exclusion>
        <groupId>org.codehaus.groovy</groupId>
        <artifactId>groovy-testng</artifactId>
      </exclusion>
    </exclusions>
  </dependency>
</dependencies>

Addendum for 3.0.5

Potentially unexpected dependency changes

  • We have reverted TestNG to 7.1.0, so the workarounds mentioned in the 3.0.4 release notes are no longer needed. You can exclude 7.1.0 and explicitly include 7.2.0 if you specifically need that version of TestNG.

Breaking changes

  • If you are using SecureASTCustomizer and relying on the exact wording of error messages, e.g. perhaps in tests, then you may need to tweak the wording in those tests (GROOVY-9594).

  • If you are using the groovy-cli-picocli module or scripting most of Groovy’s command line tools (e.g. groovy, groovyc, groovysh, groovydoc etc.) and you are relying on the exact wording of error messages, e.g. perhaps in tests, then you may need to tweak the wording in those tests (GROOVY-9627).

  • Groovy is now more compliant with the JavaBeans specification for one edge case scenario involving any field having a name starting with an uppercase letter (GROOVY-9618).

Addendum for 3.0.8

Breaking changes

  • A regression in the parser which distinguishes between variable declarations and command expressions for a particular edge case has been fixed to align with pre Groovy 3 behavior. Previously, expressions like foo bar and _foo bar were treated as command expressions whereas Foo bar was deemed a variable expression. The foo and Foo cases remained unaltered but the _foo case was unintentionally flipped. Anyone relying on the flipped behavior should change their code to align with previous behavior. The edge case only involves variable declarations with an explicit type where the type starts with a dollar or underscore character. (GROOVY-9936).