which version of Java to use

[Roedy Green]

I distribute source for java for 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6 and 1.7

I have been thinking about upgrading at notch or so.

My basic classification rule is:

1.1 purely computational stuff.
1.2 needs a collection
1.3 needs Swing
1.5 for complicated Applets, Java Web Start
1.6 for command line utils.
1.7 for code examples.

What would you recommend?|
--
Roedy Green Canadian Mind Products http://mindprod.com
Ironically, even though the Internet was created by the US military
[DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency)]
to withstand a nuclear attack, it is almost defenceless against malice
from any of its users

 

[Knute Johnson]

I distribute source for java for 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6 and 1.7

I have been thinking about upgrading at notch or so.

My basic classification rule is:

1.1 purely computational stuff.
1.2 needs a collection
1.3 needs Swing
1.5 for complicated Applets, Java Web Start
1.6 for command line utils.
1.7 for code examples.

What would you recommend?|

On the software that I maintain, I try to keep current. I still have
some software running at clients on 1.6 but I've checked it all for 1.7
and will have most of it running on a 1.7 JRE soon.

I'm lucky though the software we lease is also maintained by us.

I can't see any reason now to write for anything less than 1.6.

 

[Arved Sandstrom]

I distribute source for java for 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6 and 1.7

I have been thinking about upgrading at notch or so.

My basic classification rule is:

1.1 purely computational stuff.
1.2 needs a collection
1.3 needs Swing
1.5 for complicated Applets, Java Web Start
1.6 for command line utils.
1.7 for code examples.

What would you recommend?|

Except in the rare case of a customer that is stuck with 1.5 or earlier,
and has $$$ and cannot easily move to >1.5, I'd go with at least the
latest 1.6.

I don't unreservedly recommend 1.7 across the board because there are
still a lot of apps and Java infrastructure that are 1.6.x or are tested
only against 1.6.x. And I've recently still had a few things fail on
1.7. But usually (in the absence of instructions as to what Java version
to use, and given some thought as to the nature of the app and its age)
I'd try 1.7 first.

AHS

 

[Joshua Cranmer]

I distribute source for java for 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6 and 1.7

I have been thinking about upgrading at notch or so.

My basic classification rule is:

1.1 purely computational stuff.
1.2 needs a collection
1.3 needs Swing
1.5 for complicated Applets, Java Web Start
1.6 for command line utils.
1.7 for code examples.

What would you recommend?|

Java 5 came out about 8 years ago, and it added generics, type-safe
enums, a working memory model, concurrency goodies, nonblocking I/O, and
so many other things in general that it's almost worth calling a
different language. I'm not aware of anything that is still maintained
that doesn't support at least the Java 5 feature set. At this point in
time, you're more likely to come across a user without Java than a user
with Java 1.4 or less...

 

[Arne Vajhøj]

I distribute source for java for 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6 and 1.7

I have been thinking about upgrading at notch or so.

My basic classification rule is:

1.1 purely computational stuff.
1.2 needs a collection
1.3 needs Swing
1.5 for complicated Applets, Java Web Start
1.6 for command line utils.
1.7 for code examples.

What would you recommend?|

I am not sure that I see the problem.

If you develop software for money, then customers will
specify what version that you need to support.

For new stuff that would probably be 1.7 or 1.6.

For enhancements to existing stuff you could risk
seeing 1.5 and maybe even 1.4.

If you develop software for fun, then you pick the
minimum version that you consider appropriate for the
task.

If in doubt then just pick the latest and greatest
1.7.

Arne

 

[Eric Sosman]

I am not sure that I see the problem.

If you develop software for money, then customers will
specify what version that you need to support.

The problem is that you may not be in a position to ask:
"The customer" could be the million people whom you hope will
buy your app for ninety-nine cents. In this case you want the
Java version that is most widely installed (among versions that
offer features you simply can't manage without).

What Java version ships on Macs these days?

 

[Arne Vajhøj]

The problem is that you may not be in a position to ask:
"The customer" could be the million people whom you hope will
buy your app for ninety-nine cents. In this case you want the
Java version that is most widely installed (among versions that
offer features you simply can't manage without).

True.

But it is still customer driven.

And besides the number of Java apps going to millions of customers
is "somewhat limited".

What Java version ships on Macs these days?

Latest Mac's does not ship with Java, but Oracle has 7u9
for Mac available.

Arne

 

[Roedy Green]

The problem is that you may not be in a position to ask:
"The customer" could be the million people whom you hope will
buy your app for ninety-nine cents. In this case you want the
Java version that is most widely installed (among versions that
offer features you simply can't manage without).

Exactly!

My apps are free. I intend for people to cannibalise my code for
private and public apps. I was just wondering what sorts of complaints
people get about their code not working for older versions.

Part of me wants to go pure 1.7 just for my own convenience, and to
apply a little pressure on the world to stop using old Java versions.

--
Roedy Green Canadian Mind Products http://mindprod.com
Ironically, even though the Internet was created by the US military
[DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency)]
to withstand a nuclear attack, it is almost defenceless against malice
from any of its users