Java 8 compatibility

[loftar]

I notice there are a few people out there still using Java versions prior to 8, and I'd like to pose the question how important that is to you.

I've long tried to keep the client source code at Java 5 compatibility, but there are a few things I'd like to start working on, not least related to client optimization, that would find a far nicer implementation with some Java 8 features (particularly default methods), so I'm strongly considering making the client require Java 8.

In case there are those of you running Java pre-8 because you think Windows XP doesn't support Java 8, then as far as I can tell, that's not true. Java 8 seems to work just fine on Windows XP; it's just that it doesn't have official blessing.

[Sevenless]

Ultimately at some point the benefit for the many outweighs the requirements of the few.

Question: Are you running into mac users who had to downgrade their java in order to play Haven? I have a friend who had to go through all kinds of hoops to get the game running. Most people who run into the "dreaded mac" issue we just tell them they're SOL in help, although I know some arduous workaround exists I've yet to see it posted publicly.

Edit: worth noting I'm not sure if that got fixed or not, but people who downgraded to play might still be downgraded all the same.

[borka]

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[Mashadar]

Ubuntu 14.04 comes with Java 7 (and by extension Linux Mint, its most popular derivate), so it's necessary to find a PPA with a Java 8 JRE and another with the JDK if you want to compile the client yourself. However, that's a relatively minor and short-lived problem (since the next release is only a few months away), so it's better to look into the future.

And besides, I think client optimization takes priority over anything else. The current situation makes it hard for many people to play the game, me included.

[borka]

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[loftar]

Debian

For Debian, Java 8 is the default in Stretch, and can be found in backports for Jessie. Wheezy is out of luck, however.

[borka]

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[vatas]

I have cheap laptop running windows XP with Java 8. Attempting to open default client brings up "do you trust this application/publisher" but never launches the login screen. Custom clients open up window that is completely black.

[borka]

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[romovs]

Quite a few people (at least 6 that I know of) are still using 1.6 because of that notorious Mac OS X mouse issue.