How to read and use an API ?

Question

Hi all,
In the Java Tutorial - Nested Classes chapter, one of the questions at the end is like this:
Q2. Use the Java API documentation for the Box class (in the javax.swing package) to help you answer the following questions.
a. What +{color:#3366ff}static nested class{color}+ does Box define?
b. What +{color:#993366}inner class{color}+ does Box define?
c. What is the +{color:#ff6600}superclass{color}+ of Box’s inner class?
d. Which of Box’s {color:#003300}+nested classes+{color} can you use from any class?
e. How do you create +{color:#ff0000}an instance of Box’s Filler class?+
+{color}+
{color:#000000}I can figure out the answers from a - d. But I don't understand the answers for e.
{color}{color:#008000}
Answer 2e: {color}new Box.Filler(minDimension, prefDimension, maxDimension)
Where do we find the answers for (minDimension, prefDimension, maxDimension)? Is it written in the API? We can't actually see the programming codes in an API, right?
Thank you for your reply.
{color:#ffff00}
Cheers~
++{color}
Edited by: elaine_g on 16-Jul-2008 10:18 AM

Answer 1

JoachimSauer wrote:
If you look at the JavaDoc for the [Box.Filler constructor|http://java.sun.com/javase/6/docs/api/javax/swing/Box.Filler.html#Box.Filler(java.awt.Dimension,%20java.awt.Dimension,%20java.awt.Dimension)], then you'll see that it takes 3 Dimension objects.
Thank you! I was looking at the constructor of the wrong class - 'Class Box' instead of 'Class Box.Filler', no wonder I couldn't find it. :p Thx. :-)
DrLaszloJamf wrote:
The Filler constructor takes three dimensions objects, right?
Dimension minDimension = ...
Dimension prefDimension= ...
Dimension maxDimension= ...
Box.Filler filler = new Box.Filler(minDimension, prefDimension, maxDimension);That's it. Nothing more involved or mysterious.Thanks a lot for the code, I can visualize it better now.
P/S: Well, it was pretty mysterious for a while. 'Twas the very first time I've ever seen an API. ;-)
Cheers~