Can program developed with Java 8 be run on Java 7?

Question

I am a little confused.

1. Oracle says Java 8 is highly compatible with Java 7 (backward). But, what possibilities exist that Java 8 program can be run on Java

Answer 1

In general, new versions have to give backwards compatibility, so people dont have to throw their work and can upgrade easily. The other way round (newer version running in older version) is not necesarily true because if you use some new implemented feature, that feature obviously does not exist in the previous version and won't work.

Regards