What Java Version Corresponds to a Specific Class File's Major Version Number?

Version Numbers of Java Class File Format

In the Java Virtual Machine, class files are assigned a major version number that indicates compatibility with a specific version of the Java platform. A list of major version numbers and their corresponding Java versions is provided in a table.

Java Version	Major Version
23	67
22	66
21	65
20	64
19	63
18	62
17	61
16	60
15	59
14	58
13	57
12	56
11	55
10	54
9	53
8	52
7	51
6	50
5	49
1.4	48
1.3	47
1.2	46
1.1	45
1.0.2	45

Source of the List

The list of major version numbers is derived from the class version, found at byte offset 7 in the class file format. If you attempt to load a class that was compiled for a higher Java version into a runtime with a lower Java version, you will encounter an error indicating an incompatible class version.

Minor Versions

Minor versions are also assigned to class files, but they are not as significant as major versions and typically do not affect compatibility. Minor versions are used to indicate incremental updates within a major version.

For more detailed information, please refer to the following resources:

• [Byte Offset 7 in Class File Format](https://docs.oracle.com/javase/specs/jvms/se8/html/jvms-4.html#jvms-4.1)
• [Historical Evolution of the Java Virtual Machine](https://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/specs/jvms/jvms-history.html)

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