What is the javap utility and what can it do for you?

The javap utility is called the Java Class Disassembler because it can be used to "disassemble", or simply "retrieve", information about a class from the corresponding compiled byte code class file.

For example, if you have a compiled-into-byte-code class file MyClass.class, then the command

javap MyClass
will list the interface to the class MyClass. This is often a quick way to get a reminder of a class interface, without having to go back to the source code, if it's available, or of having a look at a full class interface if only the byte code file, and not the source code file, is available.

Note that when using the javap utility, the file extension of the byte code file (.class) must be omitted.