How to Resolve 'Cannot Start Compilation: The Output Path is Not Specified for Module' Error in IntelliJ with Gradle

How can I fix the error 'Cannot start compilation: the output path is not specified for module' in IntelliJ when running a Gradle project?

If you encounter the error 'Cannot start compilation: the output path is not specified for module' while trying to run a Gradle project in IntelliJ, this indicates that IntelliJ cannot locate the directory where the compiled files (classes) should be placed. This issue often arises because IntelliJ's project settings do not align with the Gradle build settings.

Causes

• Inconsistent configuration between IntelliJ IDEA and Gradle build project settings.
• The output path is not defined in the IntelliJ project settings for the specific module.
• The project settings may be corrupted or incorrectly set.

Solutions

• Check the project structure settings in IntelliJ by going to 'File' -> 'Project Structure' -> 'Modules'. Here, ensure that the output paths are correctly specified, and if not, set them to inherit from the project or specify a valid output path.
• Perform a Gradle refresh by clicking on the refresh button in the Gradle tool window or using the command 'gradle clean'.
• Ensure that your IntelliJ IDEA is configured correctly to use Gradle instead of the built-in compiler. Go to 'File' -> 'Settings' -> 'Build, Execution, Deployment' -> 'Build Tools' -> 'Gradle' and check that the 'Build and run using' option is set to 'Gradle'.

Mistake: Not refreshing the Gradle project after making changes to build configurations.

Solution: Always refresh the Gradle project after any changes to ensure IDE settings are up to date.

Mistake: Incorrectly configured output paths that do not match Gradle's output settings.

Solution: Verify the output paths in IntelliJ and ensure they are set to inherit from the project's default or correctly set.