# Avoiding traps

version 7.6.6-20260509033309+0000

## Groovy script variables

For users of the Groovy DSL it is important to understand how Groovy deals with script variables. Groovy has two types of script variables. One with a local scope and one with a script-wide scope.

### Example: Variables scope: local and script wide

scope.groovy

    String localScope1 = 'localScope1'
    def localScope2 = 'localScope2'
    scriptScope = 'scriptScope'

    println localScope1
    println localScope2
    println scriptScope

    closure = {
        println localScope1
        println localScope2
        println scriptScope
    }

    def method() {
        try {
            localScope1
        } catch (MissingPropertyException e) {
            println 'localScope1NotAvailable'
        }
        try {
            localScope2
        } catch(MissingPropertyException e) {
            println 'localScope2NotAvailable'
        }
        println scriptScope
    }

    closure.call()
    method()

Output of `groovy scope.groovy`

    > groovy scope.groovy
    localScope1
    localScope2
    scriptScope
    localScope1
    localScope2
    scriptScope
    localScope1NotAvailable
    localScope2NotAvailable
    scriptScope

Variables which are declared with a type modifier are visible within closures but not visible within methods.

## Configuration and execution phase

It is important to keep in mind that Gradle has a distinct configuration and execution phase (see Build Lifecycle).

Example 1. Distinct configuration and execution phase
build.gradle

    def classesDir = file('build/classes')
    classesDir.mkdirs()
    tasks.register('clean', Delete) {
        delete 'build'
    }
    tasks.register('compile') {
        dependsOn 'clean'
        doLast {
            if (!classesDir.isDirectory()) {
                println 'The class directory does not exist. I can not operate'
                // do something
            }
            // do something
        }
    }

build.gradle.kts

    val classesDir = file("build/classes")
    classesDir.mkdirs()
    tasks.register<Delete>("clean") {
        delete("build")
    }
    tasks.register("compile") {
        dependsOn("clean")
        doLast {
            if (!classesDir.isDirectory) {
                println("The class directory does not exist. I can not operate")
                // do something
            }
            // do something
        }
    }

Output of `gradle -q compile`

    > gradle -q compile
    The class directory does not exist. I can not operate

As the creation of the directory happens during the configuration phase, the `clean` task removes the directory during the execution phase.