javac: target release 7 conflicts with default source release 1.8 [duplicate]

Question

I am playing with javac and I cant compile simple java class to 1.7 version.

C:\Tests>javac -target 7 GreetingsUniverse.java -nowarn
javac: target release 7 conflicts with default source release 1.8

C:\Tests>javac -version
javac 1.8.0_73

What could be the reason?

Answer 1

add a -source that matches your -target, so 1.7 I believe. Should fix it.

Otherwise you are compiling all those cool 1.8 closures onto a 1.7 jar to run on a 1.7 jvm which is just not going to work.