Java 8 lambda expression bytecode consistency

Question

I've been digging through Java lambda expression bytecode as compiled by my OpenJDK compiler, and I'm wondering, can lambda expression bytecode vary by compiler/runtime? I'd like to know that my inspection logic will work across platforms, or not.

What exactly are you trying to inspect? Note in particular that if the Groovy 3 compiler gets off the ground, with its support for Java 8-style lambdas, it's likely to emit significantly different bytecode. — chrylis -cautiouslyoptimistic-
– chrylis -cautiouslyoptimistic-, Commented Oct 16, 2016 at 2:36
openjdk's javac is not the only java compiler in existence, ecj is a commonly used alternative for example. — the8472
– the8472, Commented Oct 16, 2016 at 19:24

Stephen C · Accepted Answer · 2016-10-16 01:34:32Z

4

can lambda expression bytecode vary by compiler/runtime?

In theory yes. The JLS does NOT specify that particular bytecodes / sequences must be generated.

You would need to check the bytecodes emitted by existing Java 8 & Java 9 compilers to see how much they differ. (And that doesn't tell you about compilers / versions that are yet to be written!)

I'd like to know that my inspection logic will work across platforms, or not.

The solution should be to build a comprehensive set of test cases and run them against the code produced by all Java compilers that you want to support.

In short: test it.

edited Oct 16, 2016 at 1:34

answered Oct 16, 2016 at 1:21

Stephen C

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