[rfc][icedtea-web] Java 7 bump

[Andrew Hughes]

----- Original Message -----
> * Andrew Hughes <gnu.andrew at redhat.com> [2014-04-14 17:10]:
> > For this reason and others, I prefer to test for required features, rather
> > than versions
> > i.e. if you want to know if it can compile code with the diamond operator,
> > compile some.
> > This is generally how all autotools tests work e.g.
> > 
> > checking for gcc... gcc
> > checking whether the C compiler works... yes
> > ...
> > checking whether gcc accepts -g... yes
> > checking for gcc option to accept ISO C89... none needed
> > checking whether gcc understands -c and -o together... yes
> > etc.
> 
> I see what you are saying and that's something I like myself. However,
> in the case of Java, it seems much simpler to assume things.

It's always simpler to assume things rather than testing for the actual
feature. That doesn't make it correct.

> For
> example, you can't claim what you have is 'Java 7' if it does not pass
> the Java 7 TCK. And for it to pass the Java 7 TCK, it must have a number
> of features (for example, swing library with generic support and diamond
> operator).

You can bump a version number whenever. No TCK required. I'm sure the builds
from the OpenJDK 9 trees are already reporting themselves as 9 or soon will be.

Also, the TCK is still not open. An implementation could provide all features of 7,
but not be able to even license the TCK.

Moreover, a test for the feature you want is already in IcedTea :)

> 
> > Is the JDK determined at compile-time or at run-time? If I build with a 7
> > JDK,
> > can I later run with an 8 JDK and it be recognised as such?
> 
> Last I looked, it's compile time. Mostly because if you compile with 6,
> the 7-specific bits can not be compiled, and therefore don't work
> (correctly).

My question was about 8 i.e. if I replaced a 7 installation with an 8 one,
after installing IcedTea-Web, would it still work? Or does IcedTea-Web need
to be recompiled?

> 
> Thanks,
> Omair
> 
> --
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> 

-- 
Andrew :)

Free Java Software Engineer
Red Hat, Inc. (http://www.redhat.com)

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