Writing documentation in Java just got way more natural: you can now use Markdown directly in Javadoc (JDK 23+). Here’s what changed, why it matters, and how to adopt it fast. 🚀
🔸 TLDR
▪️ JDK 23+ lets you write Markdown in doc comments using ///
▪️ Use headings, lists, links, tables, fenced code—no custom HTML needed
▪️ Keep classic tags (@param, @return, {@link}) — they still work and can be mixed in
🔸 WHAT’S NEW
▪️ Markdown comments: start lines with ///
▪️ CommonMark features: #, *, code fences, tables, etc.
▪️ Natural links to code: [List], [String#chars()], [a list][List]
▪️ Doc files in doc-files/ can be plain .md
Ex:
/// # UserService
/// Handles **user** operations.
///
/// See [List] and [String#lines()] for related APIs.
public class UserService { /* ... */ }
🔸 HOW TO USE IT (FAST)
▪️ Prefer /// for new docs; keep /** ... */ where needed
▪️ Mix tags + Markdown:
Ex:
/// ## createUser
/// Creates a user.
/// @param name the user name
/// @return the created id
public long createUser(String name) { ... }
▪️ Code samples: use fenced blocks or {@snippet ...} (for compilable snippets)
🔸 PRO TIPS
▪️ Link types/members with Markdown instead of only {@link}
▪️ Tables clarify options/config:
Ex:
/// | Flag | Meaning |
/// |------|---------|
/// | -v | verbose |
▪️ Keep headings short, move detail to bullet points
▪️ Use one concept per section for scannability
🔸 DO’S & DON’TS
▪️ Do: treat docs like README-quality Markdown
▪️ Do: keep @param/@return for IDE tooltips & consistency
▪️ Don’t: put tags inside code blocks (they won’t render)
▪️ Don’t: overnest headings—2–3 levels is plenty
🔸 TOOLING & BUILD
▪️ Works out-of-the-box with javadoc on JDK 23+
▪️ Update your IDE for proper Markdown rendering in doc tooltips/previews
🔸 TAKEAWAYS
▪️ Markdown Javadoc = faster to write, easier to read
▪️ You can adopt it incrementally—no big bang rewrite required
▪️ Better docs lead to fewer bugs and happier teammates 🧡
#Java #Javadoc #Markdown #JDK23 #JEP467 #Documentation #CleanCode #DevTools #Java25 #SoftwareEngineering
Go further with Java certification:
Java👇
Spring👇