> What is the benefit of this? Project health. Bit rot <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_rot> is a thing.
Cheers On Fri, Feb 5, 2021 at 12:19 PM Geertjan Wielenga <[email protected]> wrote: > What is the benefit of this? > > Gj > > On Fri, 5 Feb 2021 at 16:12, Eric Bresie <[email protected]> wrote: > > > 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] > > >
