Javadoccompatible

Javadoc compatible refers to a standard for documenting source code, primarily used in the Java programming language. It is a system that allows developers to embed documentation comments directly within their code, which can then be processed by the Javadoc tool to generate HTML documentation. This documentation includes descriptions of classes, interfaces, methods, and fields, along with their parameters, return values, and exceptions.

The core principle of Javadoc compatibility is a specific comment syntax. These comments begin with a /** and end with */. Within these comments, special tags, indicated by the @ symbol, provide structured information. Common tags include @param for method parameters, @return for method return values, and @throws for exceptions. Other tags like @see, @since, and @deprecated are also used to link related documentation, indicate when a feature was introduced, or mark it as obsolete.

Tools that are Javadoc compatible can parse these specially formatted comments and their tags. They can then create browsable API documentation, typically in HTML format, which is widely used for software development. This compatibility ensures that documentation generated by different Javadoc-compatible tools remains consistent and understandable across various projects and platforms. Developers adhering to Javadoc compatibility conventions make their code more accessible and maintainable for others.