How to Properly Format Multi-Line Code Examples in Javadoc Comments?

What is the best way to format multi-line code examples in Javadoc comments?

for (int i = 0; i < list.size(); i++) {
    Map map = (Map)list.get(i);
    System.out.println(map.get("wordID"));
    System.out.println(map.get("word"));
}

Formatting code in Javadoc comments can be challenging due to spacing and line break issues. To maintain readability, using appropriate HTML tags is crucial. This guide will detail how to effectively format multi-line code in Javadoc comments so that your API documentation remains clear and understandable.

/**
 * Example of looping through a List of Map objects.
 * <pre><code>
 * for (int i = 0; i < list.size(); i++) {
 *     Map map = (Map) list.get(i);
 *     System.out.println(map.get("wordID"));
 *     System.out.println(map.get("word"));
 * }
 * </code></pre>
 *
 * @param query - select statement
 * @return List of Map objects
 */

Causes

• The `<code>` tag does not automatically preserve line breaks in Javadoc.
• Inconsistent formatting can lead to readability issues.
• Lack of proper HTML structure can result in jumbled output.

Solutions

• Use the `<pre>` tag along with `<code>` to preserve line breaks and formatting.
• Enclose multi-line code inside `<pre>` to create a block of preformatted text.
• Optionally, use additional HTML tags for styling and clarity.

Mistake: Using only `<code>` tag for multi-line examples.

Solution: Use `<pre><code>` combination to ensure line breaks are preserved.

Mistake: Not providing sufficient explanation for the code example.

Solution: Always annotate code snippets to clarify their purpose and context.