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

You want a java decompiler, you can use the command line tool javap to do this. Also, Java Decompiler HOW-TO describes how you can decompile a class file.