Java: How can I create good looking class docs with Javadoc?

Question

I'd like to create HTML documentation for a Java class library that includes

• programming guide information - beyond just a class reference
• code examples in the reference doc
• collapsible regions

I want it to look well-styled. Something like this:

I think that Javadoc exposes a doclet API that allows other parties to provide doc generation integrated in Javadoc. Is there a doclet option that I can use (for free) that does something a little nicer than the standard javadoc output?

I tried googling for this but no luck. Suggestions?

Addendum
I found doclet.com but I don't know how to evaluate the options. Recommendations?

In particular, XHtmlDoclet sounds like it wants to address these issues. Anyone used it? I can't get it to work. Also the example offered by the XHTML Doclet guys doesn't look any better than the docs generated from c.1998 javadoc .

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Related:
Why does Javadoc generate non-compliant XHTML?

Answer 1

Perhaps you're thinking of Java doclet API:

http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/docs/tooldocs/javadoc/overview.html

It appears that you're adding examples and some text. I think it's entirely possible with existing javadocs. The problem will be the content rather than the rendering.

Castor used doclet to ease its config burden. So did EJB 1.0. Take a look at those if you'd like.

Answer 2

This question got me thinking (ok, Googling) and I stumbled on this set of taglets. Never tried it, but it looks pretty promising.