Java Development

[rgelb1]

I've read a comment today that made me say, hmm...  Is it true that the JDE in which I am compiling my apps need sto match the OS on the BlackBerry?

If that is the case, is it possible to down-compile in JDE 4.5?  I got most users on 4.3 and others on 4.5.  

Or do I have to have multiple versions of the JDE installed on my box?  Will the code compiled in JDE 4.3 work with devices that have Blackberry OS 4.5 installed?

How is this typically done from a developer's standpoint?  What are the best practices?  And finally, does RIM keep a tally of usage of each version of the OS somewhere, so I know how to better to target the market?

Thanks.  

[simon_hain]

you can use software developed with 4.3 on all devices further up.
i usually develop using 4.2.1 until i want things only possible in later releases.

[rgelb1]

So, are you saying that I need to uninstall JDE 4.5 and install JDE 4.2 if I want to support devices with OSes 4.2 and higher?  Isn't there some multi-targeting support, like in other IDEs?

[peter_strange]

No need to uninstall but you will need to install 4.2.  See:

What Is - Appropriate version of the BlackBerry JDE
Article Number: DB-00537

http://www.blackberry.com/knowledgecenterpublic/livelink.exe/fetch/2000/348583/800738/800901/What_Is...

There have been a number of threads on this forum discussing this and ways to support multiple levels, the best I think is this one:

http://supportforums.blackberry.com/rim/board/message?board.id=java_dev&message.id=1079

[rafo]

JDE does not support multi-targeting.

You may install several JDE's on to your computer and use appropriate JDE when you need that.