What is the default javac source mode (assert as identifier compilation)?

Question

According to the Orcale Java7 Guide :

• source mode 1.3 (default) - the compiler accepts programs that use assert as an identifier, but issue warnings. In this mode, programs are not allowed to use the assert statement.
• source mode 1.4 - the compiler generates an error message if the program uses assert as an identifier. In this mode, programs are allowed to use the assert statement.

I wrote a class like this:

package mm; public class ClassTest { public static void main(String[] arg) { int assert = 1; System.out.println(assert); } } 

It should compile fine if Oracle info is right (1.3 is the default source mode). But I got such errors:

  $ javac -version
 javac 1.7.0_04

 $ javac -d bin src / mm / *
 src \ mm \ ClassTest.java: 5: error: as of release 1.4, 'assert' is a keyword, and may not be used as an identifier
                 int assert = 1;
                     ^
   (use -source 1.3 or lower to use 'assert' as an identifier)
 src \ mm \ ClassTest.java: 6: error: as of release 1.4, 'assert' is a keyword, and may not be used as an identifier
                 System.out.println (assert);
                                    ^
   (use -source 1.3 or lower to use 'assert' as an identifier)
 2 errors

I manually added -source 1.3 , and it issued warnings, but compiled them in order. It seems that the Oracle information is incorrect and 1.3 is not the default initial mode. Which one then?

Answer 1

In Java 7, the default source mode is 1.7 according to the Oracle document (see the -source option). The document you are talking about probably needs updating