Java Source Code Browser

The Java Source Code Browser reads a designated set of Java source files and produces a JavaDoc equivalent extended with fully browsable source code containing hyperlinked cross-references within and across that set of files. Every identifier in the source code (public or local) acts as a link to its corresponding source definition, all uses of that identifier anywhere in the source files, and the corresponding JavaDoc information. This provides a convenient method for programmers to view the entire source of large application systems; this can help cut down the 50% of the time that programmers typically spend just looking at source code. It is also ideal for on line reference and code reviews.

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Java Browser Features

• JavaDoc tag compatible
• Java 1.1,1.2,1.3 and 1.4 compatible
• Produces JavaDoc equivalent web pages
• Extracts full cross-reference and type information from both source and class files
• JavaDoc page for each identifier links to actual source code and all uses according to language rules.
• Source files are prettyprinted with clickable identifier links to definition source and corresponding JavaDoc page.
• Can handle extremely large systems of source code
• Optional specification of files via graphical project file chooser

Sun's JavaDoc has a -linksource option that provides a much weaker cross reference. Unlike the Source Browser, it only provides links from JavaDoc pages to source text, but no source-to-documentation links, and no full-cross reference of definitions and uses.

You can see a sample of the Browser results applied to the popular JUnit program. To get a full value from this sample, in the Packages window, click on any Junit package, click on any class and then browse its source, clicking on identifiers: Browsable JUnit Sources.

Generating a set of pages like this nightly and placing it on your intranet would make current sources easily available to developers and support engineers. You can also download a ZIP file (5Mb) containing the HTML pages for this example to try out this idea.

The Source Code Browser is a derivative of SD's family of Source Code Formatters. Autoextraction of JavaDoc-like tags can also be implemented (e.g., automatically generate function signature and parameter tags if not already present). Similar browsers can be constructed for other languages. Inquire for custom features.

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