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:metadata-file-spec: https://github.com/gradle/gradle/blob/master/platforms/documentation/docs/src/docs/design/gradle-module-metadata-latest-specification.md

[[sec:understanding-variant-selection]]
= Variant Selection and Attribute Matching

Gradle's dependency management engine is _variant aware_.

In the <<dependency_resolution.adoc#dependency-resolution-basics,previous section>>, Gradle built a graph of resolved dependencies.
During graph resolution, Gradle selected the proper *variants* of each dependency based on the requirements of the build.

image::dependency-resolution-variant-selection-model.png[]

*Variants* represent different ways a *component* can be used, such as for Java compilation, native linking, or documentation.
Each *variant* may have its own *artifacts* and *dependencies*.

Gradle uses *attributes* to determine which *variant* to choose.
These *attributes* add context to each *variant*, describing when they should be used.

== Components

Let's review our description of <<graph_resolution#sec:components,components>> in the previous section.
A *component*:

* contains *variants*
** which contain one or more *artifacts*
** which contain zero or more *dependencies*
** which is described by *metadata*

image::component-model-gradle.png[]

In the example above, `org.jetbrains.kotlinx:kotlinx-serialization-json:1.5.1` is the *component*.
It has a *module* `org.jetbrains.kotlinx:kotlinx-serialization-json` and a *version* `1.5.1`:

image::component-model-gradle-example.png[]

[[sec:abm-configuration-attributes]]
== Variants and Attributes

<<variant_attributes.adoc#variant-attributes,*Variants*>> represent different versions or aspects of a *component*, like `api` vs `implementation` or `jar` vs `classes`.

In the example above, `org.jetbrains.kotlinx:kotlinx-serialization-json:1.5.1` has four *variants*: `jvm`, `android`, `js`, and `native`.

<<variant_attributes.adoc#variant-attributes,*Attributes*>> are type-safe key-value pairs used by both the _consumer_ and the _producer_ during *variant* selection: `attribute : value`.

In the example above, there are two *attributes* of importance for the *variants* of `org.jetbrains.kotlinx:kotlinx-serialization-json:1.5.1`:

[cols="1,~,~"]
|===
|Variant: |Attribute 1: | Attribute 2:

|JVM
|`org.gradle.usage: java-runtime`
|`org.jetbrains.kotlin.platform.type: jvm`

|Android
|`org.gradle.usage: java-runtime`
|`org.jetbrains.kotlin.platform.type: androidJvm`

|Javascript
|`org.gradle.usage: java-runtime`
|`org.jetbrains.kotlin.platform.type: js`

|Native
|`org.gradle.usage: native-link`
|`org.jetbrains.kotlin.platform.type: native`
|===

Note that the *metadata* of `org.jetbrains.kotlinx:kotlinx-serialization-json:1.5.1` showcases many more *attributes* to describe its *variants* such as `org.gradle.libraryelements` or `org.gradle.category`.
However, Gradle may use any number of them during dependency resolution as some *attributes* are more relevant than others:

[source,json]
----
"variants": [
...
  {
    "name": "jsLegacyRuntimeElements-published",
    "attributes": {
      "org.gradle.category": "library",
      "org.gradle.usage": "kotlin-runtime",
      "org.jetbrains.kotlin.js.compiler": "legacy",
      "org.jetbrains.kotlin.platform.type": "js"
    }
  },
  {
    "name": "jvmRuntimeElements-published",
    "attributes": {
      "org.gradle.category": "library",
      "org.gradle.libraryelements": "jar",
      "org.gradle.usage": "java-runtime",
      "org.jetbrains.kotlin.platform.type": "jvm"
    }
  },
...
]
----

There are two _types_ of *attributes* Gradle uses to match the available *variants* to the one required for the build:

- *_Consumer_ attributes*: Define the desired characteristics of a *variant* requested by a resolvable configuration.
- *_Producer_ attributes*: Each *variant* has a set of *attributes* that describe its purpose.

[[sec:variant-aware-matching]]
== Variant Attribute Matching

There are no restrictions on how many *variants* a *component* can define.

A typical *component* will include at least an implementation *variant* but may also provide additional *variants*, such as test fixtures, documentation, or source code.
Furthermore, a *component* can offer different *variants* for the same usage, depending on the consumer.
For instance, during compilation, a *component* may provide different headers for Linux, Windows, and macOS.

Gradle performs _variant-aware selection_ by *matching the attributes specified by the _consumer_ with those defined by the _producer_* using an *attribute* matching algorithm.

image::dependency-resolution-variant-selection.png[]

IMPORTANT: The *variant* name is primarily used for debugging and error messages. It does not play a role in variant matching; only the variant's *attributes* are used in the matching process.

[[sec:abm-algorithm]]
== Attribute Matching Algorithm

Gradle's dependency resolution engine follows this *attribute matching* algorithm to determine the best candidate (or fail if no match is found):

image::dep-man-adv-5.png[]

=== Step 1: Find Compatible Candidates

The *requested attributes* are matched against the *candidate attributes*.

* FOR each *candidate*:
** FOR each *candidate attribute*:
*** IF the *candidate attribute is missing*, mark the candidate as missing.
*** ELSE IF the *candidate attribute exactly matches* the requested attribute, the candidate remains compatible.
*** ELSE IF the *candidate attribute passes the compatibility test*, the candidate remains compatible.
*** ELSE, the candidate is eliminated.

=== Step 2: Most Matching Attributes

After filtering, Gradle checks if one **candidate is a strict superset** of all others.

* IF **only one candidate** remains, that candidate wins.
* IF **multiple candidates remain**, check if one:
** Matches **more attributes** than any other.
** Has **no missing attributes** compared to another candidate.
* IF **such a strict superset exists**, that candidate wins.

=== Step 3: Disambiguation Using Requested Attributes

If multiple candidates remain, Gradle attempts **disambiguation**:

* *Requested attributes* are link:{javadocPath}/org/gradle/api/attributes/AttributesSchema.html#setAttributeDisambiguationPrecedence(java.util.List)[**sorted by precedence**].
* FOR each *requested attribute* **in precedence order**:
** IF **a link:{javadocPath}/org/gradle/api/attributes/AttributeDisambiguationRule.html[disambiguation rule] exists**, apply it.
** IF **a requested attribute has the same value across all remaining candidates**, ignore it.
* IF **only one candidate remains**, that candidate wins.

If **multiple candidates still remain**, Gradle processes **unordered attributes** (those not in the precedence list):

* FOR each *requested attribute* **without precedence order**:
** IF **a disambiguation rule exists**, apply it.
** IF **a requested attribute has the same value across all remaining candidates**, ignore it.
* IF **only one candidate remains**, that candidate wins.
* IF *no candidates remain*, Gradle falls back to the most compatible candidates (step 2).

=== Step 4: Disambiguation Using Extra Attributes

If multiple candidates still remain, Gradle considers **extra attributes**:

* These are attributes that exist **only in some candidates**.
* Candidates that **lack extra attributes** are preferred.
* The **attribute precedence order** is considered.

First, Gradle processes **prioritized extra attributes**:

* FOR each *extra attribute* in *precedence order*:
** IF some candidates have the attribute and others don’t:
*** Candidates *that lack the extra attribute* are preferred.
*** Candidates *with the extra attribute* are eliminated.
* IF **only one candidate remains**, that candidate wins.
* IF *no candidates remain*, Gradle falls back to the original compatible candidates (step 1).

Then, Gradle processes **unordered extra attributes**:

* FOR each remaining *extra attribute* *without defined precedence*:
** IF the attribute is present in only some candidates:
*** Candidates without the attribute are preferred.
*** Candidates with the extra attribute are eliminated.
* IF **only one candidate remains**, that candidate wins.
* IF *no candidates remain*, Gradle falls back to the original compatible candidates (step 1).

=== Step 5: Disambiguation Using Extra Attribute Presence

If candidates **still** remain, Gradle eliminates candidates based on **requested attributes**:

* FOR each *extra attribute*:
** IF **all candidates provide the same value**, ignore it.
** ELSE, *remove candidates* that do provide it.
* IF **only one candidate remains**, that candidate wins.

=== Step 6: Failure Condition

Unless otherwise indicated, if at any point **no candidates remain**, **resolution fails**.

Additionally, Gradle outputs a list of all compatible candidates from step 1 to help with debugging *attribute* matching failures.

Plugins and ecosystems can influence the selection algorithm by implementing compatibility rules, disambiguation rules, and defining the precedence of *attributes*.
*Attributes* with a higher precedence are used to eliminate candidates in order.

For example, in the Java ecosystem, the `org.gradle.usage` *attribute* has a higher precedence than `org.gradle.libraryelements`.
This means that if two candidates were available with compatible values for both `org.gradle.usage` and `org.gradle.libraryelements`, Gradle will choose the candidate that passes the disambiguation rule for `org.gradle.usage`.

[NOTE]
====
There are two exceptions to the variant-aware resolution process:

- When a producer has no *variants*, a default *artifact* is selected.
- When a consumer _explicitly selects a configuration by name_, the *artifacts* associated with that configuration are used.
====

== A Simple Example

Let’s walk through an example where a _consumer_ is trying to use a library for compilation.

First, the _consumer_ details how it's going to use the result of dependency resolution.
This is achieved by setting *attributes* on the consumer's resolvable configuration.

In this case, the _consumer_ wants to resolve a *variant* that matches `org.gradle.usage=java-api`.

Next, the _producer_ exposes different *variants* of its *component*:

- **API variant** (named `apiElements`) with the *attribute* `org.gradle.usage=java-api`
- **Runtime variant** (named `runtimeElements`) with the *attribute* `org.gradle.usage=java-runtime`

Finally, Gradle evaluates the *variants* and selects the correct one:

- The _consumer_ requests a *variant* with *attributes* `org.gradle.usage=java-api`
- The _producer_’s `apiElements` *variant* matches this request.
- The _producer_’s `runtimeElements` *variant* does not match.

[cols="3,3,2,1"]
|===
| Consumer Requested Attributes | Producer Available Attributes | Producer Variant | Match?

| `org.gradle.usage=java-api`
| `org.gradle.usage=java-api`
| `apiElements`
| ✅ Yes

| `org.gradle.usage=java-api`
| `org.gradle.usage=java-runtime`
| `runtimeElements`
| ❌ No
|===

As a result, Gradle selects the `apiElements` *variant* and provides its *artifacts* and *dependencies* to the _consumer_.

== A Complicated Example

In real-world scenarios, both _consumers_ and _producers_ often work with multiple *attributes*.

For instance, a Java Library project in Gradle will involve several *attributes*:

[cols="~,~"]
|===
| Attribute | Description

| `org.gradle.usage`
| Describes how the variant is used.

| `org.gradle.dependency.bundling`
| Describes how the variant handles dependencies (e.g., shadow jar, fat jar, regular jar).

| `org.gradle.libraryelements`
| Describes the packaging of the variant (e.g., classes or jar).

| `org.gradle.jvm.version`
| Describes the _minimal version_ of Java the variant targets.

| `org.gradle.jvm.environment`
| Describes the type of JVM the variant targets.
|===

Let’s consider a scenario where the _consumer_ wants to run tests using a library on Java 8, and the _producer_ supports two *versions*: Java 8 and Java 11.

**Step 1: Consumer specifies the requirements.**

The _consumer_ wants to resolve a *variant* that:

- Can be used at runtime (`org.gradle.usage=java-runtime`).
- Can run on _at least_ Java 8 (`org.gradle.jvm.version=8`).

**Step 2: Producer exposes multiple variants.**

The _producer_ offers *variants* for both Java 8 and Java 11 for both API and runtime usage:

[cols="~,~"]
|===
| Variant Name | Attributes

| `apiJava8Elements`
| `org.gradle.usage=java-api`, `org.gradle.jvm.version=8`

| `runtime8Elements`
| `org.gradle.usage=java-runtime`, `org.gradle.jvm.version=8`

| `apiJava11Elements`
| `org.gradle.usage=java-api`, `org.gradle.jvm.version=11`

| `runtime11Elements`
| `org.gradle.usage=java-runtime`, `org.gradle.jvm.version=11`
|===

**Step 3: Gradle matches the attributes.**

Gradle compares the _consumer_'s requested *attributes* with the _producer_'s *variants*:

- The _consumer_ requests a *variant* with `org.gradle.usage=java-runtime` and `org.gradle.jvm.version=8`.
- Both `runtime8Elements` and `runtime11Elements` match the `org.gradle.usage=java-runtime` *attribute*.
- The API *variants* (`apiJava8Elements` and `apiJava11Elements`) are discarded as they don't match `org.gradle.usage=java-runtime`.
- The *variant* `runtime8Elements` is selected because it is compatible with Java 8.
- The *variant* `runtime11Elements` is incompatible because it requires Java 11.

[cols="3,3,2,1"]
|===
| Consumer Requested Attributes | Producer Available Attributes | Producer Variant | Match?

| `org.gradle.usage=java-runtime`, `org.gradle.jvm.version=8`
| `org.gradle.usage=java-runtime`, `org.gradle.jvm.version=8`
| `runtime8Elements`
| ✅ Selected

| `org.gradle.usage=java-runtime`, `org.gradle.jvm.version=8`
| `org.gradle.usage=java-runtime`, `org.gradle.jvm.version=11`
| `runtime11Elements`
| ❌ Incompatible

| `org.gradle.usage=java-runtime`, `org.gradle.jvm.version=8`
| `org.gradle.usage=java-api`, `org.gradle.jvm.version=8`
| `apiJava8Elements`
| ❌ Discarded

| `org.gradle.usage=java-runtime`, `org.gradle.jvm.version=8`
| `org.gradle.usage=java-api`, `org.gradle.jvm.version=11`
| `apiJava11Elements`
| ❌ Discarded
|===

Gradle selects `runtime8Elements` and provides its *artifacts* and *dependencies* to the _consumer_.

But what happens if the _consumer_ sets `org.gradle.jvm.version=7`?

In this case, dependency resolution would _fail_, with an error explaining there is no suitable *variant*.
Gradle knows the _consumer_ requires a Java 7-compatible library, but the _producer_'s minimum version is 8.

If the _consumer_ requested `org.gradle.jvm.version=15`, Gradle could choose either the Java 8 or Java 11 *variant*.
Gradle would then select the highest compatible version—Java 11.

[[sec:secondary-variants]]
== Secondary Variants (Secondary Artifact Sets)

**Secondary variants** are *additional sets of artifacts* that a variant can expose, which do **not** participate in graph resolution.
Instead, they are considered *only during artifact selection*.

A secondary variant:

* Is an additional artifact set exposed by a configuration.
* Has its own attributes and artifacts.
* Is published automatically unless explicitly skipped.
* May be selected during dependency resolution or by `ArtifactView` if the requested attributes match.

Secondary variants are typically used to expose *precomputed transforms* of the main artifact like `.class` files or the `resources` directory.

WARNING: Secondary variants are sometimes referred to in tooling or logs, but this term is being deprecated in favor of more precise concepts like *artifact sets* or *precomputed transforms*.

The simplest scenario is a typical Java library

====
include::sample[dir="snippets/dependencyManagement/customizingResolution-secondaryVariants/kotlin", files="build.gradle.kts[tags=lib]"]
include::sample[dir="snippets/dependencyManagement/customizingResolution-secondaryVariants/groovy", files="build.gradle[tags=lib]"]
====

The `apiElements` variant represents the public API of a library and is used during dependency resolution when a consuming project requests `java-api` usage:

[source,bash]
----
$ ./gradlew outgoingVariants -q
----
[source,text]
----
include::{snippetsPath}/dependencyManagement/customizingResolution-secondaryVariants/tests/secondaryVariants.out[]
----

As shown in the output, in addition to its main artifact (`some-library-1.2.3.jar`), `apiElements` also exposes a **secondary variant** named `classes`, which provides the compiled class files as a `java-classes-directory`.

The `classes` secondary variant (which does not contribute dependencies during graph resolution so it does not influence graph resolution) provides Gradle with additional flexibility during artifact selection.
For example, enabling consumers to use unjarred class files for faster access in IDEs or incremental compilation.

Let's create a secondary variant of our Java library:

====
include::sample[dir="snippets/dependencyManagement/customizingResolution-secondaryVariants/kotlin", files="build.gradle.kts[tags=add]"]
include::sample[dir="snippets/dependencyManagement/customizingResolution-secondaryVariants/groovy", files="build.gradle[tags=add]"]
====

And we can see our new secondary variant is created for `apiElements`:

[source,bash]
----
$ ./gradlew outgoingVariants -q
----
[source,text]
----
include::{snippetsPath}/dependencyManagement/customizingResolution-secondaryVariants/tests/secondaryVariantsAdded.out[]
----

To create a completely new variant for our library, we must also create a new configuration.

The code below defines a custom consumable configuration `fooFiles` with two **secondary variants**, `fooFilesVariant1` and `fooFilesVariant2`, each distinguished by a unique combination of custom attributes.
The base configuration sets `FooAttribute = main`, which is inherited by `fooFilesVariant1`, while `fooFilesVariant2` overrides it to `secondary`.

====
include::sample[dir="snippets/dependencyManagement/customizingResolution-secondaryVariants/kotlin", files="build.gradle.kts[tags=custom]"]
include::sample[dir="snippets/dependencyManagement/customizingResolution-secondaryVariants/groovy", files="build.gradle[tags=custom]"]
====

The output reflects this structure, showing `fooFiles` as the primary variant and both secondary variants with their corresponding `FooAttribute` and `FooVariantAttribute` values, which Gradle uses during **artifact selection** to match a consumer's requested attributes:

[source,bash]
----
$ ./gradlew outgoingVariants -q
----
[source,text]
----
include::{snippetsPath}/dependencyManagement/customizingResolution-secondaryVariants/tests/secondaryVariantsNew.out[]
----

[[sec:variant-visual]]
== Visualizing Variant Information

Gradle offers built-in tasks to visualize the *variant* selection process and display the _producer_ and _consumer_ *attributes* involved.

[[outgoing_variants_report]]
=== Outgoing variants report

The report task `outgoingVariants` shows the list of *variants* available for selection by _consumers_ of the project.
It displays the *capabilities*, *attributes* and *artifacts* for each *variant*.

This task is similar to the `dependencyInsight` <<viewing_debugging_dependencies.adoc#sec:identifying-reason-dependency-selection,reporting task>>.

By default, `outgoingVariants` prints information about all *variants*.
It offers the optional parameter `--variant <variantName>` to select a single *variant* to display.
It also accepts the `--all` flag to include information about legacy and deprecated configurations, or `--no-all` to exclude this information.

Here is the output of the `outgoingVariants` task on a freshly generated `java-library` project:

[source,text]
----
> Task :outgoingVariants
--------------------------------------------------
Variant apiElements
--------------------------------------------------
API elements for the 'main' feature.

Capabilities
    - new-java-library:lib:unspecified (default capability)
Attributes
    - org.gradle.category            = library
    - org.gradle.dependency.bundling = external
    - org.gradle.jvm.version         = 11
    - org.gradle.libraryelements     = jar
    - org.gradle.usage               = java-api
Artifacts
    - build/libs/lib.jar (artifactType = jar)

Secondary Variants (*)

    --------------------------------------------------
    Secondary Variant classes
    --------------------------------------------------
        Description = Directories containing compiled class files for main.

        Attributes
            - org.gradle.category            = library
            - org.gradle.dependency.bundling = external
            - org.gradle.jvm.version         = 11
            - org.gradle.libraryelements     = classes
            - org.gradle.usage               = java-api
        Artifacts
            - build/classes/java/main (artifactType = java-classes-directory)

--------------------------------------------------
Variant mainSourceElements (i)
--------------------------------------------------
Description = List of source directories contained in the Main SourceSet.

Capabilities
    - new-java-library:lib:unspecified (default capability)
Attributes
    - org.gradle.category            = verification
    - org.gradle.dependency.bundling = external
    - org.gradle.verificationtype    = main-sources
Artifacts
    - src/main/java (artifactType = directory)
    - src/main/resources (artifactType = directory)

--------------------------------------------------
Variant runtimeElements
--------------------------------------------------
Runtime elements for the 'main' feature.

Capabilities
    - new-java-library:lib:unspecified (default capability)
Attributes
    - org.gradle.category            = library
    - org.gradle.dependency.bundling = external
    - org.gradle.jvm.version         = 11
    - org.gradle.libraryelements     = jar
    - org.gradle.usage               = java-runtime
Artifacts
    - build/libs/lib.jar (artifactType = jar)

Secondary Variants (*)

    --------------------------------------------------
    Secondary Variant classes
    --------------------------------------------------
        Description = Directories containing compiled class files for main.

        Attributes
            - org.gradle.category            = library
            - org.gradle.dependency.bundling = external
            - org.gradle.jvm.version         = 11
            - org.gradle.libraryelements     = classes
            - org.gradle.usage               = java-runtime
        Artifacts
            - build/classes/java/main (artifactType = java-classes-directory)

    --------------------------------------------------
    Secondary Variant resources
    --------------------------------------------------
        Description = Directories containing the project's assembled resource files for use at runtime.

        Attributes
            - org.gradle.category            = library
            - org.gradle.dependency.bundling = external
            - org.gradle.jvm.version         = 11
            - org.gradle.libraryelements     = resources
            - org.gradle.usage               = java-runtime
        Artifacts
            - build/resources/main (artifactType = java-resources-directory)
----

From this you can see the two main *variants* that are exposed by a java library, `apiElements` and `runtimeElements`.
Notice that the main difference is on the `org.gradle.usage` *attribute*, with values `java-api` and `java-runtime`.
As they indicate, this is where the difference is made between what needs to be on the _compile_ classpath of _consumers_, versus what's needed on the _runtime_ classpath.

It also shows *secondary variants*.
For example, the *secondary variant* `classes` from `apiElements` is what allows Gradle to skip the JAR creation when compiling against a <<java_library_plugin.adoc#sec:java_library_classes_usage,`java-library` project>>.

==== Information about invalid consumable configurations

A project cannot have multiple configurations with the same *attributes* and *capabilities*.
In that case, the project will fail to build.

In order to be able to visualize such issues, the outgoing *variant* reports handle those errors in a lenient fashion.
This allows the report to display information about the issue.

=== Resolvable configurations report

Gradle also offers a complimentary report task called `resolvableConfigurations` that displays the _resolvable_ configurations of a project, which are those which can have dependencies added and be resolved.

The report will list their *attributes* and any configurations that they extend.
It will also list a summary of any *attributes* which will be affected by <<variant_attributes.adoc#sec:abm-compatibility-rules, Compatibility Rules>> or <<variant_attributes.adoc#sec:abm-disambiguation-rules, Disambiguation Rules>> during resolution.

By default, `resolvableConfigurations` prints information about all purely resolvable configurations.
These are configurations that are marked resolvable but *not* marked consumable.
Though some resolvable configurations are also marked consumable, these are legacy configurations that should *not* have dependencies added in build scripts.

This report offers:

* An optional parameter:
** `--configuration <configurationName>` → Selects a single configuration to display.
* Flags for including or excluding legacy and deprecated configurations:
** `--all` → Includes information about legacy and deprecated configurations.
** `--no-all` → Excludes this information.
* Flags for controlling transitive extensions in the extended configurations section:
** `--recursive` → Lists configurations that are extended _transitively_ rather than directly.
** `--no-recursive` → Excludes this information.


Here is the output of the `resolvableConfigurations` task on a freshly generated `java-library` project:

[source,text]
----
> Task :resolvableConfigurations
--------------------------------------------------
Configuration compileClasspath
--------------------------------------------------
Description = Compile classpath for source set 'main'.

Attributes
    - org.gradle.category            = library
    - org.gradle.dependency.bundling = external
    - org.gradle.jvm.environment     = standard-jvm
    - org.gradle.jvm.version         = 11
    - org.gradle.libraryelements     = classes
    - org.gradle.usage               = java-api
Extended Configurations
    - compileOnly
    - implementation

--------------------------------------------------
Configuration runtimeClasspath
--------------------------------------------------
Description = Runtime classpath of source set 'main'.

Attributes
    - org.gradle.category            = library
    - org.gradle.dependency.bundling = external
    - org.gradle.jvm.environment     = standard-jvm
    - org.gradle.jvm.version         = 11
    - org.gradle.libraryelements     = jar
    - org.gradle.usage               = java-runtime
Extended Configurations
    - implementation
    - runtimeOnly

[...]
----

From this you can see the two main configurations used to resolve dependencies, `compileClasspath` and `runtimeClasspath`, as well as their corresponding test configurations (truncated).

Now that we understand *variant* selection and *attribute* matching, let's move on to the artifact resolution phase of dependency resolution.
This phase is also *variant* aware.

[.text-right]
**Next Step:** <<artifact_resolution.adoc#artifact-resolution,Learn about Artifact Resolution>> >>
