@Supported design issues

[mark.reinhold at oracle.com]

2013/9/5 12:33 -0700, joe.darcy at oracle.com:
> IMO, the high order goal here should be getting the "is this API okay to 
> use" information encoded into the source code and class files. Given 
> that you've already compiled that information, I think there is great 
> value in going forward with this effort for JDK 8 even given the 
> relatively late point in the schedule.

Agreed.

> Perhaps instead of "Supported", the adjective "Sanctioned" better 
> conveys what is intended: this API is explicitly part of the JDK's 
> contract and fine to use.

@Sanctioned begs the same question as @Supported, i.e., by whom?

> I'm open to other suggestions too.

Well, looking ahead to when the platform will be composed of modules,
those modules will declare that they "export" some API elements, but
not others.  An @Exported annotation would help get people used to
the expected future terminology.

Just one idea, I'm sure there are others.

- Mark