How can I open Java .class files in a human-readable way?

Question

I\'m trying to figure out what a Java applet\'s class file is doing under the hood. Opening it up with Notepad or Textpad just shows a bunch of gobbledy-gook.

Is the

Answer 1

If you don't mind reading bytecode, javap should work fine. It's part of the standard JDK installation.

Usage: javap  ...

where options include:
   -c                        Disassemble the code
   -classpath      Specify where to find user class files
   -extdirs            Override location of installed extensions
   -help                     Print this usage message
   -J                  Pass  directly to the runtime system
   -l                        Print line number and local variable tables
   -public                   Show only public classes and members
   -protected                Show protected/public classes and members
   -package                  Show package/protected/public classes
                             and members (default)
   -private                  Show all classes and members
   -s                        Print internal type signatures
   -bootclasspath  Override location of class files loaded
                             by the bootstrap class loader
   -verbose                  Print stack size, number of locals and args for methods
                             If verifying, print reasons for failure