Introduction

Most interactive applications require online help -- Java applications are no exception. The JavaHelp system is specifically tailored to the Java^TM platform. The JavaHelp system provides developers and authors a standard, fully-featured, easy-to-use system for presenting online information to Java application users. Providing a help system standard that is part of the Java platform (standard extension to the JDK^TM) relieves developers and authors of the task of inventing their own proprietary help systems.

The JavaHelp system consists of a fully featured, highly extensible specification and an implementation of that specification written entirely in the Java language. The implementation, based on the Java Foundation Classes (JFC), provides a very simple interface that allows application developers and authors to quickly and easily add online help to their applications. The specification enables developers to optionally customize and extend the help system to fit the style and requirements of their applications.

In addition, the JavaHelp system has been designed to work especially well in a variety of network environments. The JavaHelp system is platform independent and works in all browsers that support the Java platform.

The JavaHelp system enables Java developers to provide online help for:

• Applications (both applet and standalone)
• JavaBeans^TM components
• Applets in HTML pages

Authoring support for the JavaHelp system will be available through the major online help authoring tool vendors. Tool vendors, including Blue Sky Software, ForeFront, Quadralay, CreativeSoft, Hyperact, and Virtual Media, have publically announced that their products will provide authoring support for the JavaHelp system.

Next Overview Topic: JavaHelp System Features