Hi. I knew the time for a discussion like this is going to come when I wrote my "Compile with JDK-11 javac --release flag" in November. I have just been trying to find the email in archives, but no luck! I had to resend it. Here is it for your reference:
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/ r94d421ce16f609687c769125425b46f2322033879120b00afddbe17b%40%3Cdev.netbeans.apache.org%3E I guess I have to agree with Eric, we cannot stick with JDK8 forever. We have to move on. On the other hand, as you know, I am not fan of [Big Bang changes] (http://wiki.apidesign.org/wiki/Big_Bang), as such I'd like to propose to move forward step by step: Let's require JDK11 to build NetBeans sources. The switch to JDK11 compiler doesn't mean I suggest to drop running on JDK8. Me, my employer/gang, OracleLabs, still need to run VSNetBeans on JDK8. However we can have it and still move our source code base forward where needed. Matthias wrote: > I think Jaroslav, said, that in the old time, NetBeans was > able to be run on JDK-1. I remember that also, but at some point in the > 8? cycle build requirements jumped to 8, while target version was still > 1.7. Yes, that used to be the policy. Even if we restrict the policy to LTS versions of Java, JDK17 is near and we have to move forward. As such I wanted to discuss this issue in November, 2020. I am still puzzled to understand where did my email disappear... Btw. there is `nb-javac` for JDK8 - related work I am involved in: https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Overview%3A+nb-javac This week we managed to make the (automatic) conversion of JDK16's javac to run on JDK8 and pass all the available tests. I really wish NetBeans to continue to run on JDK8, but I am ready to do my best to allow you to use the latest Java APIs and features where needed. I hope we find a balance between these two desires by going step by step. As such I repeat my suggestion: let's require JDK11 to build NetBeans: https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/ r94d421ce16f609687c769125425b46f2322033879120b00afddbe17b%40%3Cdev.netbeans.apache.org%3E -jt Dne pátek 5. února 2021 16:12:10 CET, Eric Bresie napsal(a): > Question on the Netbeans project's plan for moving forward towards > introducing and utilizing features with newer Java versions. > > I understand the basic expectations at present are mainly build on Java 8, > while being possible to build (with applicable flags or jdk settings) for > newer java versions. > > At what point do we need to take the plunge and start actually using some > of the new features for Java 9 and beyond? > > When compiling with new java, I see > > 1. references to deprecated or removed interfaces so assume that is one > thing that would have to be addressed. > 2. I see references to "source versions" (I saw one expecting server > version 1.4) which also show up. As I understand it, at some point the > general behavior in some of that will be to only support a few jdk > version back so assume this might be a case for other needed changes [what > makes it a specific version and is it as simple as changing the source > version in the project details or build scripts]? > > Assume doing so would require changes like > > 1. Any "JDK" specific build details might have to be addressed > 2. Address depreciation and source version differences > 3. Find existing code which are candidates for refactoring with newer > java features involved > 4. Maybe leverage some JDK tools or utilizing netbeans Java "refactoring > hints" for suggestions (i.e. changing loops to lambdas, utilized newer > file interfaces, etc.) > 5. Any dependency libraries would have to be updated with compatible > versions. This does have the added benefit of utilizing newer versions > in these as well which may include performance, security, or bug fits > benefits as well. > 6. Update any documentation (i.e. build/runtime environments) > > Given the recent javadocs build issues requiring newer jdk, it may mean the > time is coming sooner rather than later. > > I know this would be a major bit of work but I wanted to raise the question. > > Eric Bresie > [email protected] --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [email protected] For additional commands, e-mail: [email protected] For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit: https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists
