How to read the API

Question

I am trying to understand how to read the Java API. I have bought Oracle's Books "Java The Complete Reference" and "Java A Beginners Guide" but am still unsure how to read the API.
Let me clarify what I'm asking to avoid confusion.
The class java.util.ProcessBuilder http://download.oracle.com/javase/7/docs/api/
Has a Constructor section that lists
Constructor and Description
ProcessBuilder(List<String> command)
Constructs a process builder with the specified operating system program and arguments.
ProcessBuilder(String... command)
Constructs a process builder with the specified operating system program and arguments.
How do I read the ProcessBuilder(List<String> command) so that I can understand it and implement its use?
Later when it talks about methods such as List<String>      command()
Returns this process builder's operating system program and arguments.
How do I understand this and make use of the method?
Is it possible for this to be explained to cover the whole API so that when a class is looked up the constructor and methods are explained that someone who does not understand can take any class and have the constructor and methods from the API and know how to implement them?
Thank you
FtroopSon

Answer 1

FtroopSon wrote:
My Instructor said we can not work with others on our project, so instead of violating that rule, I asked something about JAVA here. My question was general enough to not violate the instructors rule, but specific enough to learn what I felt I was missing.I hope you don't think I was suggesting you're doing anything wrong - far from it - I was simply saying that ProcessBuilder isn't the first class I would choose if I was trying to get familiar with the Java API pages.
As with a lot of questions like this, Google is your friend. A Google of "using ProcessBuilder" gave me a pile of useful pages on how to use the class (which the API docs aren't always wonderful at doing), including some common 'gotchas' - although many of these are related to <tt>Runtime.exec()</tt>, which Process/ProcessBuilder was created to improve.
One of those pages was for [url http://commons.apache.org/exec/index.html]Apache Commons Exec, which you might also want to look at (although it does require a download, and that might violate the rules of your exercise too). I've never used it myself though, so I can't comment on how good it is.
Alternatively, it might be worth talking to your instructor and explaining your problem. Most of us are reasonable chaps, and s/he might be able to provide you with some good tips.
Remember: plagiarism is the programmer's stock-in-trade. There's nothing wrong with using something written by someone else as long as you attribute it - that is, after all, what classes are all about :-).
Winston