Of course. Here is a detailed guide to finding and using the Java API documentation (CHM) for version 1.7.

Summary
The official Java SE 7 API documentation from Oracle is not available in the CHM (Compiled HTML Help) format. Oracle switched to providing documentation primarily as a ZIP file containing a large number of individual HTML pages, which is best viewed with a web browser.
However, you can easily find and download a community-created CHM version that is very popular and widely used. Here’s how to get it and why the official format is better.
Option 1: Download the Community CHM Version (Easiest)
This is the most direct way to get a single, searchable CHM file for Java 7.
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Download Link: You can find the Java 7 CHM file on popular developer resource sites. A reliable source is the
javadocdirectory on GitHub.
(图片来源网络,侵删)- Direct Download Link: Java 7 API Documentation (CHM)
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How to Use It:
- Download the
javadoc-7u80-chm.zipfile (or similar name). - Extract the ZIP file. You will find a file named
Java 7 API.chm. - Double-click the
.chmfile. It will open in the Windows Help Viewer.
- Download the
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Important Note on CHM Files:
- Security Warning: Some versions of Windows may show a security warning when you first open a CHM file. You might need to click "Unblock" in the file properties to allow it to display content correctly.
- Search Function: The CHM format has an excellent built-in search feature (the "Index" tab), making it very fast to look up classes and methods.
Option 2: Download the Official ZIP File (Recommended)
This is the format provided by Oracle and is generally considered superior because it includes all the features of the official documentation website.
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Download Link: Go to the official Oracle Archive for Java SE 7.
(图片来源网络,侵删)- Official Archive Page: Oracle Java Archive: Java SE 7
- On that page, find the link for "JDK 7u80 with JavaFX" or a similar version. You don't need to install the JDK, just download it to get the documentation.
- The download link for the documentation bundle is usually separate. Look for a link like:
"Java SE Development Kit 7 Documentation" This will download a file named
jdk-7u80-docs.zip.
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How to Use It:
- Download the
jdk-7u80-docs.zipfile. - Extract the ZIP file to a location of your choice (e.g.,
C:\JavaDocs\Java7). - Navigate into the extracted folder and open the
index.htmlfile with your favorite web browser (like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge).
- Download the
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Advantages of the Official ZIP Format:
- Complete and Accurate: This is the exact documentation as published by Oracle.
- Full Features: It includes the full text search, "All Classes" index, and the ability to navigate between related classes and methods just like the online version.
- No Security Warnings: You avoid the potential security hassles of CHM files.
- Offline Access: Once extracted, you have a complete, offline copy of the entire API.
Comparison: CHM vs. Official ZIP
| Feature | Community CHM File | Official ZIP File |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Community-created | Oracle (Official) |
| Format | Single compiled file (.chm) | Collection of HTML files (.zip) |
| Access | Windows Help Viewer | Web Browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc.) |
| Search | Excellent built-in index | Full-text search, very powerful |
| Navigation | Good, but can be limited | Excellent, mirrors the website |
| Reliability | May have minor errors or omissions | 100% accurate and complete |
| Security | Can trigger Windows security warnings | No security issues |
Recommendation
For most users, downloading the official ZIP file (Option 2) is the best choice. It is more reliable, more powerful, and avoids the potential issues associated with CHM files. The process of extracting and opening index.html is a simple one-time task.
If you absolutely must have a single CHM file for its convenience, then Option 1 will provide you with a functional and widely-used version. Just be aware that it's a third-party compilation.
