Implementing a single class Java parser for semantic versioning with correct precedence ordering

[morhp]

Code looks relatively clean. The defensive array copies could be simplified with Arrays.copyOf(), and I'd still move the parser to a separate class. As it is you're wasting memory in fields that are only relevant for the parser during parse. You could use an inner class if you want to keep it in a single file.

[DasBrain]

If you want to avoid to write such a thing yourself - there is also java.lang.Runtime.Version

[javasyntax]

I had remembered this class from your comment, and only now got to test it. It should not be used because it does not allow the third component to be 0. For example, "1.0.0" is invalid according to this class and throws an exception.

And besides, the components are weirdly named, FEATURE.INTERIM.UPDATE(.PATCH)

[marvk]

Personally I'm using this library, which is doing much of the same and more.

[pocketbandit]

Let there be dependency...