Features/Java7TechPreview

= Java 7 =

Summary
Technology preview of Java 7 runtime and build tools (OpenJDK7).

Owner

 * Name: Deepak Bhole


 * email: dbhole at redhat dot com

Current status

 * Targeted release: Fedora 16
 * Last Updated: 2011-08-03
 * Percentage of completion: 100%

Detailed Description
Oracle made available the first proprietary JDK7 release on 2011-07-28.

Fedora 16 will contain a technology preview of Java tools for version 7 (OpenJDK7). Though it will not be the default run-time, users will be able to use the Java 7 run-time and build tools optionally via alternatives. All packages in Fedora 16 will be built with Java 6 (OpenJDK6).

Benefit to Fedora
Fedora users will have optional access to all the new language and feature enhancements provided by Java 7 while continuing to enjoy the benefits of the previous stable version (6).

Scope
Since OpenJDK6 will remain the default in Fedora 16, the only work needed is to build OpenJDK7 in a manner that it does not clobber the existing Java 6 install, and such that it will not satisfy regular Java dependencies so that Koji builds happen with OpenJDK6.

How To Test

 * Install
 * Run (as root) 'alternatives --config java' and select the 1.7 version
 * Run 'java -version' to ensure that it is correct

User Experience
If users select the 1.7 java/javac alternative, they will have access to all of the new features that version 7 of the language provides.

Dependencies
Since OpenJDK6 will be used for all java related builds in Fedora 16, dependencies on Java is a non-issue at this time.

Contingency Plan
Java 7 will be optional and can be removed at any time if it becomes problematic. Since nothing will be built with 7, removal should not pose any problems.

Comments and Discussion

 * See Talk:Features/Java7