使用Java 1.6版本搭配STS开发Spring Boot应用是否可行？

Great question! Let’s break down what you need to know to make this work:

1. Spring Boot Version Compatibility with Java 1.6 #

First, you need to pick the right Spring Boot version. Spring Boot 2.x and later require Java 8 or higher, so they’re out of the question for Java 1.6. However, the older Spring Boot 1.x series (specifically the 1.5.x branch) supports Java 1.6. This was the last stable 1.x release line, though note it’s no longer maintained (no security patches or bug fixes as of 2019).

2. STS Compatibility with Java 1.6 #

The latest STS versions only support Java 8+, but older STS releases do work with Java 1.6. Specifically, STS 3.x series (e.g., STS 3.9.18, the final release of STS 3) is fully compatible with Java 1.6. This version was built to support Spring Boot 1.x, so it’ll play nicely with your Java 1.6 environment.

Step-by-Step Recommendations #

• Download the correct STS version: Grab STS 3.9.18 from the Spring archives—just search for "STS 3.9.18 download" to find the official package.
• Configure Java 1.6 in STS: Set up Java 1.6 as your project’s compiler and runtime JRE. Go to Window > Preferences > Java > Installed JREs to add your Java 1.6 JDK/JRE, then set it as the default for your project.
• Lock in Java 1.6 in your build file:
  • For Maven: Add these lines to your pom.xml to enforce Java 1.6 compilation:

    <properties>
        <maven.compiler.source>1.6</maven.compiler.source>
        <maven.compiler.target>1.6</maven.compiler.target>
    </properties>
    

  • For Gradle: Add this to your build.gradle:

    sourceCompatibility = 1.6
    targetCompatibility = 1.6
    

Important Caveat #

Since Spring Boot 1.x is end-of-life, using it in production carries security risks. If possible, consider upgrading to Java 8 (which is still supported with security updates) and moving to Spring Boot 2.x or 3.x—this will give you access to modern features, better performance, and ongoing support.

内容的提问来源于stack exchange，提问作者Reddy