java/core/src/main/java/com/google/protobuf/ExperimentalApi.java

// Protocol Buffers - Google's data interchange format
// Copyright 2008 Google Inc.  All rights reserved.
//
// Use of this source code is governed by a BSD-style
// license that can be found in the LICENSE file or at
// https://developers.google.com/open-source/licenses/bsd

package com.google.protobuf;

import java.lang.annotation.Documented;
import java.lang.annotation.ElementType;
import java.lang.annotation.Retention;
import java.lang.annotation.RetentionPolicy;
import java.lang.annotation.Target;

/**
 * Indicates a public API that can change at any time, and has no guarantee of API stability and
 * backward-compatibility.
 *
 * <p>Usage guidelines:
 *
 * <ol>
 *   <li>This annotation is used only on public API. Internal interfaces should not use it.
 *   <li>This annotation should only be added to new APIs. Adding it to an existing API is
 *       considered API-breaking.
 *   <li>Removing this annotation from an API gives it stable status.
 * </ol>
 */
@Retention(RetentionPolicy.SOURCE)
@Target({
  ElementType.ANNOTATION_TYPE,
  ElementType.CONSTRUCTOR,
  ElementType.FIELD,
  ElementType.METHOD,
  ElementType.PACKAGE,
  ElementType.TYPE
})
@Documented
public @interface ExperimentalApi {
  /** Context information such as links to discussion thread, tracking issue etc. */
  String value() default "";
}