Javadoctyökalu

Javadoctyökalu refers to the documentation generation tool for the Java programming language, commonly known as Javadoc. It is a command-line utility that parses specially formatted documentation comments within Java source files and generates an HTML or XML representation of the API. This allows developers to create comprehensive documentation for their classes, methods, variables, and other program elements directly from the source code.

The Javadoc tool reads special comments that begin with /** and end with */. These comments can include plain text descriptions, as well as special tags that provide additional information. Common tags include @param for method parameters, @return for method return values, @throws for exceptions, and @see for cross-referencing other documentation. Developers can also use HTML tags within these comments for richer formatting.

The generated documentation typically includes an index, overview pages, and detailed pages for each class and interface. This makes it easier for other developers to understand and use the API without needing to delve into the source code itself. Javadoc is an integral part of the Java development ecosystem, promoting code clarity and maintainability. Many Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) like Eclipse and IntelliJ IDEA provide built-in support for generating and viewing Javadoc.