classpath API version

[Robert Schuster]

Hi,
a former discussion on this list got to the point where it was discussed 
which API version Classpath is going to support but there was no final 
answer yet. I hope to start up this discussion again and we can get to a 
conclusion.

Classpath' projectpage says it is going to be compatible with JDK1.1 but 
classpath already contains 1.4-style features and looks like a hybrid 
now (at least for me).
It would not be that bad if a higher version number only means that 
there is a larger amount of classes available but unfortunately this is 
not the only case: Often a newer JDK version deprecated certain classes, 
methods and fields, changed the usage of the 'final' keyword, added 
exceptions to the throws-clause or changed the values of constants (see 
java.awt.event).
When looking closely at the JDK1.x-classpath comparisons one can easily 
spot situations where classpath is beyond a certain JDK version (eg. 1.1 
java.lang) but on the other hand there are situations where classpath is 
not up-to-date (eg. java.net, look at the 1.4 and 1.3 comparison).

What I want to say is: IMHO since Classpath already stepped into the 1.4 
land it would not a good idea to primary support previous JDK versions. 
Classpath had to rip classes, methods and signatures off to be 
compatible with <1.4 again. If Classpath would officially head for full 
1.4 compatibility this would a much better. Java 1.5 is a nice 'natural' 
barrier for adding its features because it needs a different syntax and 
therefore tools ...

cu
Robert Schuster