[Solved] Common Error in Java “class file has wrong version 61.0”

Understanding and Resolving “Class File Has Wrong Version” Error in Java

In the dynamic world of Java development, encountering the "Class File Has Wrong Version" error is a common scenario. This error arises when there's a discrepancy between the Java version used for compiling an application and the version available in the runtime environment. Specifically, it occurs when a Java class file compiled with a higher version is executed in an environment supporting a lower version.

The Core Issue: Version Mismatch

Consider this scenario: a class file compiled with Java 17 (version 61.0) is executed in a Java runtime supporting only up to version 9 (version 53.0). This mismatch triggers the error. It's frequently seen when using modern frameworks like Spring Framework 6 or Spring Boot 3, which are optimized for newer Java versions (16 or 17), in projects running on older Java versions.

Error Manifestation

The error can present itself in various forms, such as:

• “Java class file has wrong version 61.0”
• “Java class file has wrong version 62.0”
• “Class file has wrong version 61.0…