Binary milestone
Class File 81.0
Class file 81.0 extends the visible binary-compatibility horizon into the early 2030s.
81.0Projected LTSEarly-2030s view
All About Class File 81.0
Class File 81.0 • 2031 • Java 37
81.0Projected LTSEarly-2030s view
All About Class File 81.0
Class file 81.0 extends the visible binary-compatibility horizon into the early 2030s.
Compatibility meaning
Why the version number matters
The class file version is the binary compatibility signal that tells tooling and runtimes which generation of compiled Java bytecode they are dealing with.
This class file milestone aligns with an LTS anchor, so it matters both for binary compatibility and for long-term operational baselines.
javap -verbose MyClass.class
# look for: major version 81Release context
What was happening around this milestone
Projected LTS projection
Class file 81.0 extends the visible binary-compatibility horizon into the early 2030s.
Related pages
Continue through binary and runtime history
Common Class File
Return to the class file timeline and compare this version with adjacent milestones.
Common Java
See the source-language side of the Java release associated with this class file version.
Common JLS
Compare source-language specification changes with binary-format evolution.
Common JDK
Use the platform view when you want to connect bytecode changes to tooling and runtime packaging.