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How to Use This Quick Reference

Contents:

Finding a Quick-Reference Entry
Reading a Quick-Reference Entry

The quick-reference section that follows packs a lot of information into a small space. This introduction explains how to get the most out of that information. It describes how the quick reference is organized and how to read the individual entries.

1. Finding a Quick-Reference Entry

The quick reference is organized into chapters, one per package. Each chapter begins with an overview of the package and includes a hierarchy diagram for the classes and interfaces in the package. Following this overview are quick-reference entries for all the classes and interfaces in the package.

Entries are organized alphabetically by class and package name, so that related classes are grouped near each other. Thus, in order to find an entry for a particular class, you must also know the name of the package that contains that class. Usually, the package name is obvious from the context, and you should have no trouble looking up the quick-reference entry you want. Use the chapter tabs and the "dictionary-style" headers, which are located at the upper outside corner of each page, to help you find packages and classes.

Occasionally, you may need to look up a class for which you do not already know the package. In this case, refer to Chapter 37, "Class, Method, and Field Index". This index allows you to look up a class by class name and find the package it is part of. (The index also allows you to look up a method or field name and find the class or classes define it.)



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