What are best practices for working with multi-release JARs?

When working with multi-release JARs in Java, it's essential to follow best practices to ensure compatibility, maintainability, and optimal performance across different Java versions. Here are some key best practices:

• Understand JAR Structure: Familiarize yourself with the structure of multi-release JARs, including the META-INF/versions directory which contains version-specific classes.
• Use Versioning wisely: Implement version-specific APIs with care, ensuring that fallback options are well-defined for older Java versions.
• Testing Across Versions: Regularly test the JAR with different Java versions to avoid compatibility issues at runtime.
• Documentation: Clearly document any version-specific features and limitations to guide users in choosing the appropriate Java version for your library.
• Gradle or Maven Support: Use build tools like Gradle or Maven to manage multi-release JAR builds efficiently.

Adhering to these best practices will help you effectively leverage the advantages of multi-release JARs, enabling you to deliver enhanced functionality while maintaining backward compatibility.