A common question we get is: Why aren't the
JavaTM 2
platform API specifications written as more complete developer documentation?
Why don't they include full working code examples, definitions of
common programming terms, conceptual overviews, metaphors, illustrations,
descriptions of implementation bugs and workarounds? We have chosen
to put this information in the books listed below,
and restrict the specifications to "assertions" necessary for
conforming implementations.
Developer documentation contained in the
Java 2 SDK documentation: Java 2 SDK SE Documentation -
This is the documentation for a particular release of the Java 2 SDK.
It points to the Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition API Specification
mentioned above.
Browsable online and downloadable (HTML).
Developer guides and tutorials: Java Tutorial Books -
Developer documentation that covers much of the Java 2 Platform.
Browsable online, downloadable, and available as printed books.
1.2 API developer reference documentation: The
Java Class Libraries, Second Edition -
These books include more detailed, developer-targeted descriptions,
with conceptual overviews, definitions of terminology,
workarounds for bugs, and working code examples for
nearly all classes, interfaces and members in 15 basic
packages in Java 2 SDK, Standard Edition, v 1.2.
Available in print only.
Code samples are downloadable.
Other books in the
Java Series "from the source", include Developers
Almanac, Java Programming Language, Java Language Specification,
Java FAQ, Security, JDBC, JVM, 3D, Enterprise JavaBeans,
the Class Libraries Poster and others.
Some available online, all available in print as books.