How to compile Maven project with different JDK version?

By mkyong | Updated: May 24, 2017

Viewed: 1,174 (+11 pv/w)

Tags: compiler jdk maven

By default, Maven 2 uses JDK 1.4, Maven 3 uses JDK 1.5 to compile the project, which is very old. Fortunately, Maven comes with a Compiler Plugin, which tell Maven to compile the project source with a particular JDK version.

Solution

Configure the plugin compiler directly. (Tested with Maven 2 and 3)

<project>
  
  <build>
    <plugins>
        <plugin>
            <groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
            <artifactId>maven-compiler-plugin</artifactId>
            <version>3.6.1</version>
            <configuration>
                <source>1.8</source>
                <target>1.8</target>
            </configuration>
        </plugin>
    </plugins>
  </build>

</project>

Alternatively, configure via the property values. (Tested with Maven 3)

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

References

1. Maven Compiler plugin
2. How to tell Maven to use Java 8