[java] no deprecation window for JsonFormat.Printer includingDefaultValueFields() with no arguments

[lepistone]

We noticed what we think is a breaking change without a deprecation window, starting in the 26 series for Java.

The affected method is JsonFormat.Printer includingDefaultValueFields() with no arguments.

Looking at the commit history, it was deprecated in:

• https://github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf/commit/d111589bc in the 27 series
• https://github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf/commit/043191b84 backported in the 26 series

But then immediately after removed in:

• https://github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf/commit/26995798 in the 27 series
• https://github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf/commit/06e7caba5 backported to the 26 series

I could not find any release where the method is deprecated but not removed.

Since this method has been very often used in our organization, this makes upgrading more difficult.

Would it be possible to bring back the deprecated shim for a few releases so that we can migrate away from it more gracefully? Or can you suggest a migration strategy so that we don't have to rewrite the code and upgrade the library in unison?

Thank you!

[googleberg]

Hi @lepistone,

We will add this back in as a deprecated method until the next breaking change (currently planned for 2026.Q1).

[lepistone]

Thanks, much appreciated!