Java API Reference guide

**lifelike27** · October 8th, 2011

Hey,

I'm looking for a good Java API book (or preferably a PDF). Does anyone know of a good one? Basically I need a book with the possible commands you can use in Java will an example or two. For example, object.length(), explaining what it does with a small example.

Thanks in advance guys!

Lifelike27

**MrStill** · October 9th, 2011

Hello,

Is it a requirement that it be a book? Oracle maintains an online reference that explains all of the standard Java classes:

http://download.oracle.com/javase/7/docs/api/

Also, for the larger concepts, threading, GUI, and such they post tutorials.

The Java API is actually quite large and it would be difficult to write a comprehensive book.

Otherwise, McGraw Hill publishes what they call "Java The Complete Reference." I bought this book years ago; but, I abandoned it once I learned to read the online documentation. Essentially its a $60 bookshelf decoration.

**ofnuts** · October 9th, 2011

Originally Posted by MrStill

Hello,

Is it a requirement that it be a book? Oracle maintains an online reference that explains all of the standard Java classes:

http://download.oracle.com/javase/7/docs/api/

Also, for the larger concepts, threading, GUI, and such they post tutorials.

The Java API is actually quite large and it would be difficult to write a comprehensive book.

Otherwise, McGraw Hill publishes what they call "Java The Complete Reference." I bought this book years ago; but, I abandoned it once I learned to read the online documentation. Essentially its a $60 bookshelf decoration.

+1

The online tutorials are pretty good and cover much ground. If you enter the Swing/AWT territory, you can also let the graphic editor build the windows for you for a couple of simple apps, and then reverse-engineer its output using the online API doc.

**lifelike27** · October 10th, 2011

The Oracle documentation is really good and pretty much exactly what I want, but I wanted it as a singular data source - one file that I can take around when I don't have internet access.

I have a habit of reading PDF files on my phone through Dropbox. Basically, a downloadable index of the documentation.

**ofnuts** · October 10th, 2011

Originally Posted by lifelike27

The Oracle documentation is really good and pretty much exactly what I want, but I wanted it as a singular data source - one file that I can take around when I don't have internet access.

I have a habit of reading PDF files on my phone through Dropbox. Basically, a downloadable index of the documentation.

The whole Java API doc is downloadable (IIRC tutorials are a separate package but downloadable all the same).

**lifelike27** · October 10th, 2011

Originally Posted by ofnuts

The whole Java API doc is downloadable (IIRC tutorials are a separate package but downloadable all the same).

Oh well, seem they're down at the moment... Does it seem to be working for you? A working link would be nice.

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**ofnuts** · October 10th, 2011

Originally Posted by lifelike27

Oh well, seem they're down at the moment... Does it seem to be working for you? A working link would be nice.

http://download.oracle.com/javase/6/docs/

Yes, down for me too.

**lifelike27** · October 19th, 2011

Hey, just wanted to say that I was able to download the entire documentation for jdk 6 on the oracle website here: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/ja...ndex.html#docs

Going to try and see if I can do the same with the Android docs.

Thanks again guys!