1 JavaDoc Tool
1 JavaDoc Tool
The JavaDoc tool is a program that reads Java source files and class files into a form that can be
analyzed by a pluggable back end, called a doclet.
Use source code that contains Java documentation comments.
Run the javadoc tool with a doclet to analyze the documentation comments and any
other special tags. If you don’t specify a doclet in the command, the Standard Doclet is
used by default.
The content of any generated files is specific to the doclet. The Standard Doclet generates HTML
output, but a different doclet could generate other output, such as a report of misspelled words or
grammatical errors.
If you specify a doclet other than the Standard Doclet, then the descriptions in this guide might not
apply to the operation of that doclet or the files (if any) that are generated.
In addition to the descriptions in this guide, JavaDoc tool users and content developers should use
the following documentation:
For users running the tool to generate API documentation: The javadoc Command
For end-user readers of API documentation: The Help page, in any generated
documentation. The content of the Help page will be customized for the content of the
API and the command used to generate the documentation. For example, see the Help
page for the Java SE and JDK API specification.
JavaDoc Features
JavaDoc features include enhanced support for code examples, search, summary pages, module
system, Doclet API, HTML support, and DocLint.
Search
When the JavaDoc tool runs the Standard Doclet, it generates output that enables users to search
the generated documentation for elements and additional key phrases defined in the generated
API documentation. Search results include matching characters from any position in the search
string. The Search facility can also provide page redirection based on user selection.
Note:
The Search feature uses JavaScript. If you disable JavaScript in your browser, you will not be able to
use the Search feature. However, all the information in the Search feature is also available in the A-
Z Index that is present in any generated API documentation. The A-Z Index is in plain HTML and
doesn’t require the use of JavaScript. See Javadoc Search Specification for detailed information
about using Search.
Summary Pages
The Standard Doclet may generate various additional summary pages based on detailed
descriptions of individual declarations contained in the API. These pages include information about
new API, deprecated API, constant values, and serialized forms. Find links to these pages in the
main navigation bar at the top of each page or in the A-Z Index.
Module System
The javadoc tool supports documentation comments in module declarations. Some JavaDoc
command-line options enable you to specify the set of modules to document and generate a
summary page for any modules being documented. See The javadoc Command for detailed
information.
Doclet API
The Doclet API supports all of the latest language features. See the module jdk.javadoc for
detailed information.
HTML Support
Note:
The Standard Doclet doesn’t repair or fix any HTML errors in documentation comments. HTML
errors may cause the generated API documentation to fail validation by a conformance checker.
DocLint
DocLint is a feature provided by the JavaDoc tool, as well as the JDK Java compiler, javac, to
detect and report issues in documentation comments that may cause the output to be not as the
author intended. The issues include missing comments, references to undeclared items (perhaps
because of a spelling error), accessibility errors, malformed HTML, and syntax errors. Depending on
the severity of each issue, it may be reported as either a warning or an error. See The javadoc
Command for more information about DocLint.