1.11. Java Documentation¶
All Java class libraries are documented and available online. Here are two good resources for you to use:
JavaDoc The Javadoconline website provides a nice searchable interface. Search for a classname and you will get the documentation you are looking for.
JavaAPI contains the same information but in a browsable format. If you don’t know the class name exactly this is a good way to see what is close.
In general the Javadoc page for any class contains information about:
Where this class falls in the class hierarchy. What classes are its parents and what classes are its decendents.
A summary and some examples of using the class.
A summary listing of instance variables
A summary listing of Constructors
A summary listing of Methods
Detailed documentation on constructors and methods.
Typically the Javadoc pages are constructed from the source code where the class is implemented. This encourages Java programmers to do a good job of documenting their code, while providing a user friendly way to read the documentation without looking at the code directly.