view java source code

Question

Is any way to view the actual code behind the default classes in Java (java.awt.*;, javax.swing.*;, etc) to see exactly what it is that is happening?

I don't mean just the documentation, or a list of methods, etc, but the source code itself in full detail (in other words, what could be used to create an exact copy of an entire method/class if copied and pasted into the code for a program in Java).

Answer 1

The Java source code for all the API classes is shipped in the JDK installer in a file named src.zip. It's often just sitting in your install directory. Unzip it, and have a look.

If it's not there, you may have chosen not to install it; reinstall the JDK and watch for the "source code" option, making sure to include it.