Does dropping Java 8 require a new major version?

[Benito Gonzalez]

Hi community folks,

It's time to start moving past Java 8. There are a few language features we wish to start using in more recent versions of Java. Also, uPortal 5 is now Java 11 compatible.

So the specific question I have for you is: Are you okay if we drop Java 8 support in future uPortal 5 releases (v5.16.0+) or should we wait for a uPortal 6?

Here's more context. Plans for uPortal 6 are to jump up to Java 17 and upgrade Gradle with a release by Q1 2024. Portlet support is likely to still be around; however, a final decision has not been made. uPortal 7 will have better support for modern layouts and web components with a quicker release cycle (potentially by Q4 2024). By uPortal 7, we expect portlets to not be supported unless the community still needs more time to replace their existing portlets.

Hope this email is informative and you share your thoughts.

Best

-bjagg

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Benito J. Gonzalez

Software Architect

Unicon, Inc.

209.777.2754

Email:  bgon...@unicon.net

GitHub:  bjagg

GitLab:  bjagg

BitBucket:  bgon...@unicon.net