Javadoc @see or {@link}?

java, javadoc

Solution

The official guidelines on this are pretty clear.

The functional differences are:

- `{@link}` is an inline link and can be placed wherever you like

- `@see` creates its own section

In my opinion, `{@link}` is best used when you literally use a class, field, constructor or method name in your description. The user will be able to click through to the javadoc of what you've linked.

I use the `@see` annotation in 2 cases:

- Something is very relevant but not mentioned in the description.

- I refer to the same thing multiple times in the description, and it is used as a replacement for multiple links to the same.

I based this opinion on randomly checking out documentation for a great variety of things in the standard library.

Problem

Could someone tell me the difference between javadoc `@see` and `{@link}`? Or rather, when to use which of them?

Original source

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