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 need to use a decompiler. Others have suggested JAD, there are other options, JAD is the best.

I'll echo the comments that you may lose a bit compared to the original source code. It is going to look especially funny if the code used generics, due to erasure.