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The Java programming language compiler, javac, reads source files written in the Java programming language, and compiles them into bytecode class files.  Optionally, the compiler can also process annotations found in source and class files using the Pluggable Annotation Processing API.  The compiler is a command line tool but can also be invoked using the Java Compiler API.

The compiler accepts source code defined by the Java Language Specification (JLS) and produces class files defined by the Java Virtual Machine Specification (JVMS).

API Specification

• javax.annotation.processing - Annotation processing.
• javax.lang.model - Language model used in annotation processing and Compiler Tree API
  • javax.lang.model.element - Language elements.
  • javax.lang.model.type - Types.
  • javax.lang.model.util - Language model utilities.
• javax.tools - Java Compiler API.
• com.sun.source.* - Compiler Tree API.

More Information

• The javac Home Page
• javac(1) - Manual page [ Solaris™ Operating System | Microsoft Windows ].
• JLS - The Java Language Specification, Third Edition.
• JVMS - The Java Virtual Machine Specification, Second Edition.