Cordova is running the wrong Java version. How do I get Cordova to run a specific Java version?

Question

[javac] warning: [options] source value 1.5 is obsolete and will be removed in a future release

and

error: strings in switch are not supported in -source 1.5
    [javac]    switch (xmlData[i][1]) {
    [javac]           ^
    [javac]   (use -source 7 or higher to enable strings in switch)

I am getting warnings and errors that I am running Java 1.5 when compiling an APK with Cordova for Android. I can't use strings in switch statements. (the compilation process errors)

My system is 64-bit Windows 7. My Cordova version is 3.5. I am using git-scm. (http://git-scm.com/)

• I am running this command: cordova run android --release.
• My Java environment variable lists C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_20 as the Java directory.
• My path enviroment variable sets the Java path as the first item in the list.
• Every Java patch and version is uninstalled except what I just re-installed from Oracle's site.
• I restarted my computer.
• java -version gives me java version "1.8.0_20".
• javac -version gives me javac 1.8.0_20.
• All my targets are =android-19, =debug, or =release.
• android:minSdkVersion is always set to "14", everywhere.
• android:targetSdkVersion is always set to "19", everywhere.

How can I force Cordova to run Java 8?

Answer 1

To fix for command line builds, add these lines (or set appropriate values if already present) to your ant build.xml property file (for example if using Android SDK, it's in ${sdk.dir}/tools/ant/build.xml):

<property name="java.target" value="1.7" />
<property name="java.source" value="1.7" />

Answer 2

1. Right-click on your project(Package Explorer) and select "Android Tools -> Fix Project Properties"
2. Right-click on your project and select "Properties -> Java Compiler", check "Enable project specific settings" and select 1.7 or 1.8 from "Compiler compliance settings" select box.
3. then Rebuild your project (Project -> Clean)