Summary

Make the javac command-line help for --source, --target, and --release self-consistent and consistent with the man page.

Problem

The --target option still uses "versions" terminology instead of the now-agreed "releases" terminology. In addition, the --source, --target and --release options are stylistically inconsistent.

Solution

Update the text.

Specification

Previous:

  --release <release>
        Compile for a specific release. Supported releases: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
  --source <release>, -source <release>
        Provide source compatibility with specified release. Supported releases: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
  --target <release>, -target <release>
        Generate class files for specific VM version. Supported versions: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

Proposed:

  --release <release>
        Compile for the specified Java SE release. Supported releases: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
  --source <release>, -source <release>
        Provide source compatibility with the specified Java SE release. Supported releases: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
  --target <release>, -target <release>
        Generate class files suitable for the specified Java SE release. Supported releases: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

Note: the set of supported releases for an option is generated dynamically, and will be different for different releases of the JDK.