Documentation

This page provides links to all of the documentation for the Java language and the HotJava browser, in all of its various stages and formats. This page has four sections:

Overviews
HotJava Overview
An overview of the HotJava browser. A version in PostScript is available.
Java Language Overview
An overview of the Java language. A version in PostScript is available.
The Java Language Environment: A White Paper
This new white paper provides detailed information about the Java programming language and its environment. It also includes a chapter on the HotJava browser.
Note: This is a different paper than The Java Language: A White Paper included with 1.0Alpha3.
ftp://java.sun.com/docs/JavaBook.tar.Z
A compressed tar file containing the HTML file for the new white paper. Approximately 110K.
ftp://java.sun.com/docs/JavaBook.ps.tar.Z
The new Java white paper in PostScript format for printing on 8.5" X 11" paper. Approximately 240K.
ftp://java.sun.com/docs/JavaBook.A4.tar.Z
The new Java white paper in PostScript format for printing on A4 paper. Approximately 240K.

New Versions of Programmer Documentation
First Draft: The Java/HotJava Programmer's Guide
Last updated: 9 June 95. Peek in this directory for a look at the programmer documentation that will be in the next release. This document includes step-by-step examples of how to write your first application, applet, content handler, or protocol handler. The latest additions are lessons on programming in Java and notes on what to do before you "ship" an applet.
ftp://java.sun.com/docs/progGuide.html.tar.Z
For your convenience, we've included a compressed tar file containing the Programmer's Guide files in HTML format. Approximately 94K.
ftp://java.sun.com/docs/progGuide.ps.tar.Z
For your convenience, we've included a compressed tar file containing the Programmer's Guide files in PS format. Approximately 228K.
The API Documentation
Due to popular demand--the Java API documentation is now available in PostScript format. Please note that the tar files contain one PostScript file per HTML file in the API documentation. We'd also like to provide a combined version -- with one PostScript file per package, for example -- but our tools don't allow us to do that correctly yet. If you're using a Solaris system, you can print all the files in a directory with the following command: lpr *.ps.
ftp://java.sun.com/docs/api.misc.tar.Z
PostScript files for the package index and the API user's guide. Approximately 10K.
ftp://java.sun.com/docs/api.awt.tar.Z
PostScript files for all of the classes in the awt package. Approximately 227K.
ftp://java.sun.com/docs/api.browser.tar.Z
PostScript files for all of the classes in the browser package. Approximately 147K.
ftp://java.sun.com/docs/api.java.tar.Z
PostScript files for all of the classes in the java package. Approximately 337K.
ftp://java.sun.com/docs/api.net.tar.Z
PostScript files for all of the classes in the net package. Approximately 162K.

Documentation Included with the 1.0Alpha3 Release
The complete set of documentation for the 1.0Alpha3 release
You'll find all of our documentation for the current release right here. Applet guide, language documentation, etc.
The HotJava 1.0Alpha3 User's Guide
A how-to guide on the unique features of the HotJava browser. (Accessible via "Help" in the release; thought we'd stick a copy here for people who can't download HotJava yet.)
1.0Alpha3 PostScript Files
1.0Alpha3 included PostScript versions of the following documents:
For your convenience we've included them here in compressed tar files: one for American letter format--ftp://java.sun.com/docs/JavaDoc.letter.tar.Z, and one for A4 format--ftp://java.sun.com/docs/JavaDoc.A4.tar.Z. Both are approximately 425K.

Tips for Using the Documentation
Attention A4 Users
If your PostScript printer will not print the A4 PostScript files, here's a possible solution.

Send your comments or questions to the appropriate mailing list. If you need to communicate directly and privately with the java development team, send mail to java@java.sun.com.