Classes compatibility

[Maxim Geraskyn]

Hi there,

Simple example.

a.jar includes A class
b.jar includes B class inherited from A

If I add new methods/fields to A class and recreate a.jar, will
b.jar still normally work with old fields/methods of A
( so b.jar sees new version of a.jar but compiled with old one)

Are there well-defined compatibility rules about it ?

Thanks in advance,

Maxim

 

[Andrea Desole]

Hi there,

Simple example.

a.jar includes A class
b.jar includes B class inherited from A

If I add new methods/fields to A class and recreate a.jar, will
b.jar still normally work with old fields/methods of A
( so b.jar sees new version of a.jar but compiled with old one)

Are there well-defined compatibility rules about it ?

check out the specs:

"Changing the direct superclass or the set of direct superinterfaces of
a class type will not break compatibility with pre-existing binaries,
provided that the total set of superclasses or superinterfaces,
respectively, of the class type loses no members."

from this url:

http://java.sun.com/docs/books/jls/second_edition/html/binaryComp.doc.html#44994

 

[Maxim Geraskyn]

Andrea

check out the specs:

Many, many, many thanks !
How could I miss it !

Maxim