JDK 16 RFR of JDK-8071961: Add javac lint warning when a default constructor is created

[Alex Buckley]

On 8/17/2020 2:18 PM, Jonathan Gibbons wrote> On 8/17/20 9:29 AM, Alex 
Buckley wrote:
>>
>> compiler.warn.missing-explicit-ctor=\
>> class {0} in exported package {1} declares no explicit constructors, 
>> exposing a default constructor to clients of module {2} 
> 
> Is it just me, or does "declares no explicit constructors" sound weirdly 
> stilted, as compared to something like "does not declare any explicit 
> constructors" or "does not explicitly declare any constructors".

I know what you mean. If the message was an independent clause (stopping 
at the comma), then I'd agree that "class ... does not explicitly 
declare any constructors" is best. However, the message tacks on a 
dependent clause to suggest an untoward effect on clients. The advantage 
of "declares no ...", besides using fewer words, is that it has the same 
positive phrasing as "exposing a ...", so the cause and effect is 
clearer: class ... declares X, exposing Y. All that said, I have no 
problem with Joe phrasing it with more words, as long as "explicit" 
ctors are front and center.

Alex