title: How can I know with which Java version a .class file is got was compiled?
body: <p>I'm trying to find out how I can determine the version of a <strong>.class</strong> file by looking at its binary data. I know that using <code>javap</code> will tell me the version - but unfortunately I don't always have a <strong>JDK</strong> installed on the machine where I need to check. I do however have access to a plain old HEX editor ...</p>
  
  <p>I tried finding documentation on this from a certified source - all I was able to come up was with this: <a href="http://fredericktang.wordpress.com/2007/09/28/java-class-file-version/" rel="nofollow">http://fredericktang.wordpress.com/2007/09/28/java-class-file-version/</a><br>
  Although this blog post is very nicely written - it is not really backed up by official Java documentation.</p>
  
  <p>Any hint?</p>
  
  <p><strong>Edit:</strong> Never mind - sorry to bug - I found the spec:
  <a href="http://java.sun.com/docs/books/jvms/second_edition/html/ClassFile.doc.html" rel="nofollow">here</a></p>