gradle compile, api, implementation

Diff between compile api, implementation

Name	Role	Description
compile	compile	Deprecated Use compile, resolve dependencies
api	Declaring API dependencies	Expose to customers, customers know what api to use. (Customer codes is also used when using this library)
implementation	Declaring implementation dependencies	Purely use in App or Library. Customer library does not care to call this dependencies.

api is basically used by child module or library. General application developer does not need to use.

Example

The Java Library Plugin page has a great sample how to use api and implementation.