In Java we try not to read the source code, I may not have the source code. But I NEED to know how to use that code. I need to know: the class name the package name the method name the method parameters the return value form the method any exceptions thrown by the method so Java created a neat concept, put you documentation into the source code, then run a tool to generate the Docs this way anytime you change the source, I can update the docs automatically to add source level documenttion, we use the JavaDoc comments: /** here I code my doc comments, I can include HTML tags because the docs are gnerated as HTML pages */ ----------------------------------------------- JavaDoc Rules and Best Practices I SHOULD (the IRS requires it) document all public classes/methods/fields/etc the JavaDoc comment goes before the code it is commenting I can use older style HTML, I prefer newer style HTML itallics bold {@code } or I can use java source code ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- JavaDoc Best Practices: 1) the first line of the docs is the summary, and it needs to be a sentence (with punctuation), the summary shows up in the Overview or Package docs 2) add a
tag to insert a new line in the generated HTML 3) add examples as needed to show the code working, add an HTML
 tag
           to keep source code formated
       4) use HTML list tags