JavaDoc is a set of HTML files that document a Java project. In large Java projects it is always better to generate documentation of the code written, so as to make clearer the usage of classes and the detail about their methods. Here is a short introduction to JavaDoc generation using NetBeans IDE.
JavaDoc Comment Style
First, familiarise yourself with the JavaDoc comment style used to produce documentation. Use the following comment format:
/** * Description of the class or method. * @param paramName description * @return description */
Place these comments above class declarations and method signatures throughout your project. The IDE uses them to build the generated HTML pages.
Generating the JavaDoc
Once your source files contain JavaDoc comments, follow these steps:
- Open your project in NetBeans IDE.
- From the Build menu, select Generate JavaDoc for Project.
- The IDE displays progress information and the output file location during generation.
- When generation completes, NetBeans automatically opens the generated index page in your default web browser.
The resulting HTML documentation provides a browsable reference of all classes, methods, and parameters in your project — a valuable resource for any team working on a shared codebase.