JDKcompatible

JDKcompatible is an informal term used to describe software that is designed to run in the Java Development Kit (JDK) environment or that adheres to the Java SE specifications and APIs defined for the JDK. It does not represent an official certification, but signals alignment with the Java platform and its standard libraries, ensuring portability across compatible JDK implementations such as OpenJDK and Oracle JDK.

The scope of JDKcompatible software typically covers several dimensions of compatibility. Source compatibility means code can be compiled with a given JDK version. Binary compatibility means existing compiled classes can run on a newer or compatible JDK without recompilation. API compatibility means the software uses only standard Java APIs provided by the JDK and remains portable across versions that retain those APIs. In practice, developers specify the minimum and sometimes recommended Java versions (for example, Java 8 or Java 11) and configure build tools accordingly.

In project practice, JDKcompatibility is communicated through build configurations and metadata. Build tools such as Maven or Gradle set sourceCompatibility and targetCompatibility to define the allowed Java versions. Projects may declare a minimum Java SE version in their pom.xml or build.gradle files and include tests across multiple JDK releases to verify cross-version behavior. Libraries intended to be JDKcompatible usually strive to run on a range of common JDK distributions, including OpenJDK, Oracle JDK, and other vendors.

Standards and conformance related to JDKcompatibility are governed by the Java SE specifications and the Java Community Process. The Technology Compatibility Kit (TCK) is used to verify conformance of Java implementations to the Java SE standard. While individual projects align with these standards, the term itself remains informal and is best supported by explicit version requirements and cross-version testing.

Limitations can arise from implementation differences, the Java module system introduced in Java 9, deprecated APIs, or vendor-specific extensions. Therefore, thorough compatibility testing remains essential when claiming JDKcompatibility.