Commenting Methods In Java With Javadoc

Introduction

Just like any other part of a program, commenting a method is important. While this can be done using single or multiline comments, Javadoc comments provide a standardized and more structured approach for documenting methods.

What Is Javadoc?

Javadoc is an API documentation generator for Java programs. It uses specially formatted comments to produce detailed documentation in HTML, making it easy to view and navigate. Tools like IntelliJ IDEA can even auto-generate Javadoc documentation from Javadoc comments, saving time for developers.

Javadoc is the standard for documenting Java classes, methods, and fields. Here we will focus on how to use Javadoc for documenting methods, with a future topic dedicated to classes.

Javadoc Comments

Javadoc comments are similar to multi-line comments, but they start with a double asterisk (/**) and each line within the comment is prefixed with an asterisk (*). These comments are followed by tags that provide additional structured information about the code.

Below is an example:

/**
 * Brief description of the method.
 * 
 * @param parameter_name Description of the parameter.
 * @return Description of the return value.
 */

Commonly Used Javadoc Tags

    
            Tag
            Parameter
            Description
        
            @author
            author_name
            Specifies the author of the code.
        
            @param
            parameter_name
            Details the purpose of a parameter in a method.
        
            @see
            reference
            Creates a hyperlink to another element in the document.
        
            @exception
            class_name
            Describes exceptions that a method might throw.
        
            @return
            description
            Explains the value returned by a method.

Note: For a more comprehensive list of tags, you can refer to the official Javadoc documentation.

Commenting a Method with Javadoc

Two important tags to use when commenting methods are @param and @return. These tags clearly describe the inputs a method requires and the output it provides, making your code easier to understand and maintain.

Below is an example implementing these two tags:

/**
 * Calculates the area of a rectangle.
 *
 * @param width  The width of the rectangle.
 * @param height The height of the rectangle.
 * @return The calculated area of the rectangle.
 */  
public static double calculateArea(double width, double height) {  
    return width * height;  
}

Why Use Javadoc?

Standardization:
Javadoc provides a consistent format for documenting code.
Readability:
Clear, detailed comments help others understand your code.
Tool Compatibility:
Many IDEs and tools can automatically generate documentation from Javadoc comments, improving workflow efficiency.

Conclusion

Clear, well-structured documentation is as important as the code itself. Javadoc provides a standardized way to comment your methods, making your work more accessible and easier to understand for others. Even if your current projects don’t require formal documentation, adopting Javadoc is a great habit to cultivate which will serve you well in the future.