Gradle is a build automation tool used primarily for projects that require the automation of compiling, testing, packaging, and deploying code. It is a flexible and scalable tool that supports multiple languages, including Java, Kotlin, and Groovy, and can be used for building applications across a variety of platforms.

Gradle is known for its performance, thanks to features like incremental builds, build caching, and parallel execution. It uses a domain-specific language (DSL) based on Groovy or Kotlin to define build scripts, making it both flexible and powerful. Gradle is particularly popular in Android development, as it is the default build tool for Android Studio, but it can also be used for other types of projects.

Compared to older build tools like Apache Ant and Maven, Gradle offers greater flexibility and is more suitable for large, complex projects that require multiple build tasks to be orchestrated in a customizable way. It integrates well with popular continuous integration (CI) systems, such as Jenkins and GitLab CI, making it a crucial part of modern DevOps pipelines.