Enabling full documentation for Java EE in eclipse

Question

I'm new to Eclipse and am using it currently to play with Java EE.

When using Ctrl+Space for types/functions from the regular Java libraries I get a full description (i.e. general description of the type, what are the arguments of the method for, etc.). However I don't get the same for Java EE types.

For example, when using Ctrl+Space on methods of the HttpSession class I get only names like "arg0" or "obj" and no description.

How can I remedy this?

Answer 1

I'd suggest downloading the javadocs and adding them in eclipse. (right click project > properties > java build path > libraries > expand the library > set Javadoc location)

Answer 2

I think that's why Java EE defines a specification only, the implementation must then be done by the provider of your application server. javax.servlet.http.HttpSession e.g. is bundled in servlet.jar.

It you are using Tomcat as your application server, you could attach the java sources to your servlet.jar and then you can browse the source and read it's javadoc.

The source for the latest tomcat is here -> http://www.apache.org/dist/tomcat/tomcat-6/v6.0.26/src/apache-tomcat-6.0.26-src.zip