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If a new method or constructor cannot change resolution in existing clients, then the change is a binary-preserving source transformation. In binary-preserving source compatibility, existing clients will yield equivalent class files if recompiled. The difference between behaviorally equivalent and compilation preserving source compatibility that is not behaviorally equivalent depends on the implementation of the methods in question. If a new method changes resolution, if the different class file that results has similar enough behavior, the change may still be acceptable, while changing resolution in such a way that does not preserve semantics is likely problematic. Changing a library in such a way that current clients no longer compile is seldom appropriate.
Binary Compatibility
JLSv3 JLS §13.2 – What Binary Compatibility Is and Is Not
A change to a type is binary compatible with (equivalently, does not break binary compatibility with) preexisting binaries if preexisting binaries that previously linked without error will continue to link without error.
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