Javadoc is a tool used by the Java programming language to generate HTML documentation from source code comments. It is primarily used for documenting Java APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). Javadoc allows developers to describe the purpose, usage, and functionality of classes, interfaces, methods, and variables within Java code.
The tool scans through source files and looks for specially formatted comments called "Javadoc comments." These comments start with /** and end with */ and are placed directly above the code element they are describing. Javadoc comments can include various tags such as @param, @return, @throws, and @see, which provide additional information about parameters, return values, exceptions, and related elements.
Once the Javadoc comments are provided in the source code, the Javadoc tool is invoked, typically through the command line or integrated development environments (IDEs). It reads the comments and generates HTML files comprising the API documentation. The resulting HTML documentation contains detailed explanations, usage examples, and method signatures, allowing other developers to understand how to use the code effectively.
Javadoc plays a crucial role in promoting code reusability, maintainability, and collaborative development. It allows developers to create comprehensive and easily accessible documentation for their Java code, promoting the understanding and proper use of APIs by other programmers. Additionally, Javadoc enables automatic generation of "documentation bundles" that can be distributed alongside the corresponding code libraries or SDKs (Software Development Kits).
