chore: modernize and improve GitHub Actions CI workflows

[1234-ad]

Description

This PR modernizes and significantly improves the GitHub Actions CI workflows for both the master and beta branches. The changes enhance build reliability, security, and developer experience.

Changes Made

🔄 Updated Actions to Latest Versions

• checkout: v3 → v4
• setup-java: v3 → v4
• upload-artifact: Added v4 for artifact management

⚡ Performance Improvements

• Gradle Caching: Added automatic Gradle dependency caching for faster builds
• Reduces build time by caching dependencies between workflow runs
• Significantly speeds up CI/CD pipeline

🔒 Security Enhancements

• Explicit Permissions: Added permissions: contents: write for security best practices
• Follows principle of least privilege
• Makes workflow permissions explicit and auditable

🧪 Code Quality

• Lint Job: Added separate lint job to catch code quality issues early
• Runs in parallel with build job for faster feedback
• Uploads lint results as artifacts for review
• Uses if: always() to ensure lint results are uploaded even on failure

📦 Artifact Management

• APK Artifacts: Upload built APKs as artifacts with 30-day retention
• Makes it easy to download and test builds from any workflow run
• Useful for QA and testing without waiting for releases

🐛 Better Debugging

• Stacktrace Flag: Added --stacktrace to Gradle commands for better error diagnosis
• Execute Permissions: Explicitly grant execute permission to gradlew
• Prevents permission-related build failures

🎯 Improved Triggers

• Pull Request Support: Added PR triggers for both workflows
• Enables CI checks on pull requests before merging
• Improves code quality and catches issues earlier

📝 Better Organization

• Descriptive Names: Improved job and step naming for clarity
• Conditional Releases: Release creation only happens on push to respective branches
• Prevents unnecessary releases on PRs

Benefits

For Developers

• ✅ Faster builds with Gradle caching
• ✅ Better error messages with stacktrace
• ✅ Easy access to built APKs via artifacts
• ✅ Lint feedback on every PR

For Maintainers

• ✅ Better security with explicit permissions
• ✅ Improved CI reliability
• ✅ Easier debugging with better logging
• ✅ Consistent workflow structure

For Contributors

• ✅ CI runs on pull requests
• ✅ Clear feedback on code quality
• ✅ Easier to test changes

Testing

• ✅ Verified workflow syntax is valid
• ✅ Checked all action versions are latest stable
• ✅ Ensured backward compatibility
• ✅ Validated artifact paths are correct

Files Changed

1. .github/workflows/ci_master.yml - Master branch CI workflow
2. .github/workflows/ci_beta.yml - Beta branch CI workflow

Compatibility

• ✅ No breaking changes
• ✅ Maintains existing functionality
• ✅ Adds new features without disrupting current workflow
• ✅ Compatible with existing release process

Related Issues

This PR addresses general CI/CD improvements and follows GitHub Actions best practices. It will help with:

• Faster development cycles
• Better code quality
• Improved security posture
• Enhanced developer experience

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Note: These are workflow-only changes with no impact on application code or functionality.

[oliexdev]

Thanks but currently the workflow works well for me.