How to Resolve Android Compiler Compliance Level Error in Imported Projects

What steps can I take to resolve the Android compiler compliance level error when importing a project in Eclipse?

When importing an Android project into Eclipse, you might encounter an error stating that 'Android requires compiler compliance level 5.0 or 6.0, found '1.7' instead.' This indicates that your Java compiler is set to a version that is incompatible with the requirements of the Android SDK you are using. This guide will walk you through how to resolve this issue by adjusting the compiler compliance settings in Eclipse.

Causes

• The Java Development Kit (JDK) version being used is set incorrectly in your IDE settings.
• The project’s build settings may be pointing to an incompatible compliance level.
• Updated JDK might lead to mismatched settings for older Android projects.

Solutions

• Open Eclipse and navigate to **Window > Preferences > Java > Compiler**. Set the **Compiler compliance level** to **5.0** or **6.0** based on your project's requirements.
• Right-click on your project in the **Project Explorer**, select **Properties > Java Build Path**, and ensure that the JRE System Library is set to the appropriate version (Java SE 1.5 or 1.6).
• Use **Android Tools > Fix Project Properties** again to ensure that settings are applied correctly; if still facing issues, try restarting Eclipse or cleaning the project using **Project > Clean**.

Mistake: Setting the compiler compliance level to a version higher than what the Android project supports.

Solution: Always check the compatibility of your Android project with the selected Java version and choose appropriately (such as 5.0 or 6.0).

Mistake: Neglecting to configure the Build Path correctly after changing compliance levels.

Solution: Ensure that your project’s build path points to the correct Java Runtime Environment.