Docx4j 8.0 (or 6.2??) release planning

[jason]

The next significant version of docx4j is now nearing release.

At issue is whether to target Java 6 or Java 8?

The release contains the following significant changes:

1. its now a Maven multi-module project

2. the way we handle alternative JAXB implementations has changed to make it easier to use docx4j in various environments:

- the Oracle JRE "internal" JAXB implementation should "just work".
- If you want to use the JAXB Reference Implementation you add docx4j-JAXB-ReferenceImpl to your classpath .
- If you want to use MOXy, add docx4j-JAXB-MOXy

3. we repackage Xalan; docx4j uses its repackaged version

The work is in branch https://github.com/plutext/docx4j/tree/ ... _0_0_MULTI

And we're also looking to make it OSGi friendly.

This release is in preparation for a docx4j 11 (or 9) which would require Java 11 (or possibly only 9). Docx4j 11 is currently waiting on https://github.com/eclipse-ee4j/jaxb-ri to release a Java 11 friendly JAXB 2.4.0 to Maven Central.

Anyway, the question for now is whether this release should target Java 6 or Java 8?

In favour of naming it docx4j 6.2, targeting Java 6:
- the release would compile for Java 6, so why not?

In favour of naming it docx4j 8, targeting Java 8:
- we can bump the deps to versions which require min Java 8
- avoid maintaining a v6.2 which is quite a bit different from v6.1.2

I'm leaning towards a docx4j 8 targeting Java 8, but if you have strong feelings, please provide feedback here.

Naturally, the next Docx4j Enterprise Release will be aligned.

thanks .. Jason

[jason]

docx4j 8.0 it will be.

[jason]

docx4j 8.0.0 is now on Maven Central. Release announcement to follow.