Hello!
Greetings.
I am a committer on the JDT/Core project – specifically focussed on the Eclipse Compiler for Java.
- I invite comments and objections with justifications to a hypothetical removal of support
for compiling “ancient” Java code using the latest versions of ECJ or Eclipse IDE/SDK.
Presently, using window/project preferences, you can configure the compiler to use
ancient versions of Java for
- Compiler compliance level : Currently supports all the way back to 1.3
- Source compatibility: Currently supports all the way back to 1.3
- Generated .class file compatibility : Currently supports all the way back to 1.1 and CLDC 1.1
Eclipse compiler code can be modernized quite a bit by dropping support for ancient versions.
By reducing code clutter, we can also bring down the maintenance burden and flatten the learning curve.
Testing cycles will also come down. Currently when a JDT committer runs tests locally, tests are run at all
supported levels.
As a comparison, javac from JDK22 does not support source levels below 8. I am proposing we do the same.
- Independently, I would also like to hear comments/objections with justifications for removing support
for CLDC_1_1 as a target. Most folks I check with haven’t even heard of this configuration (embedded ??)
Past versions of Eclipse SDK/IDE and ecj.jar’s will continue to be hosted at their usual habitat. We are only talking
about newer evolving version of Eclipse/ECJ
Thanks!
Srikanth
