How to learn from javadoc

Question

Given a huge (third-party) library with hundreds of classes and interfaces, it's hard for me to follow the Javadoc:
- track class hierarchy,
- compare / match classes and interfaces.

The goal is to find out the differences, to understand what the class / interface does / does not do, in order to be able to use the library correctly and efficiently.

Is there currently a tool that accepts a javadoc of a given class / interface, generates its hierarchy chart and compares / compares the differences between the child and its parents / grandparents / siblings?

Of course, this can be done manually, but each time takes a lot of time. Is there a more efficient way to do this? Thanks.

EDIT:
- I must add that I do not have access to the source code of the library.
- The library is provided in the bank with the meager word javadoc (only class / interface / method signatures, several meaningful names and some descriptions).

Answer 1

Yes, it is possible to create class relationship diagrams through reverse engineering. Here's a reverse engineering source code tutorial for creating UML diagrams: http://java.dzone.com/articles/reverse-engineer-source-code-u

Answer 2

I have not heard of such a tool, but what you can do (at least in Eclipse, but probably in all other IDEs) is to link the javadoc to the library that you imported into your project. This way you can use the IDE navigation / display tree functions when reading javadoc.

I know that this is not quite the answer you expected, but I hope this helps.