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]
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