# Browsing Class Files

If the sources are available, the JDE class viewer enables you to browse the classes, methods, and comments that constitute a program. The class viewer is based on `javadoc`, the Java API Documentation Generator.

The class viewer extracts information from the program's source files and presents it in a format that you can use to:

- Understand how the program's classes are derived and easily follow links to the source of classes that the program extends (if available)
- Display the methods contained in the program and easily follow links to their definitions in source files
- View special comments included in the source by the author (see `javadoc` for details)

To browse a program:

1. Choose Browse -> View Classes to open the View Classes dialog box.
2. Specify the source files you wish to browse. There are two ways to do that:
   - Click the Current Project radio button. This enables you to browse the source files you included as part of the current project when you created it.
   - Click the Directory radio button, then specify the directory name in the text box. This enables you to browse the source files (with a `.java` suffix) in the directory that you specify in the text box. Press Return or click Show Files to browse the directory.
   By default, the current project is automatically selected.
3. Use the Recursive check box to control whether the search descends into sub-projects (Current Project) or directories beneath the one you specify (Directory). By default, the search descends recursively.
4. The list of source files is loaded into the class viewer list area. Click on the file in the list that you wish to browse and its information is displayed in the window.

   When you follow a link to view information, the appropriate source file is automatically loaded into the JDE source editor.

See also:

  Searching for Strings
  Java WorkShop Tutorial
  What Is a Project?