Introduction - The Java Language Specification - page 6

1.3. Notation
Throughout this specification we refer to classes and interfaces drawn from the Java SE
platform API. Whenever we refer to a class or interface (other than those declared in an ex-
ample) using a single identifier N , the intended reference is to the class or interface named
N in the package java.lang . We use the canonical name (§ 6.7 ) for classes or interfaces from
packages other than java.lang .
Non-normative information, designed to clarify the specification, is given in smaller, in-
dented text.
This is non-normative information. It provides intuition, rationale, advice, examples,
etc.
1.4. Relationship to Predefined Classes and Interfaces
As noted above, this specification often refers to classes of the Java SE platform API. In
particular, some classes have a special relationship with the Java programming language.
Examples include classes such as Object , Class , ClassLoader , String , Thread , and the classes and
interfaces in package java.lang.reflect , among others. This specification constrains the beha-
vior of such classes and interfaces, but does not provide a complete specification for them.
The reader is referred to the Java SE platform API documentation.
Consequently, this specification does not describe reflection in any detail. Many linguistic
constructs have analogs in the reflection API, but these are generally not discussed here.
For example, when we list the ways in which an object can be created, we generally do not
include the ways in which the reflection API can accomplish this. Readers should be aware
of these additional mechanisms even though they are not mentioned in the text.
1.5. References
Apple Computer. Dylan Reference Manual . Apple Computer Inc., Cupertino, California.
September 29, 1995.
Bobrow, Daniel G., Linda G. DeMichiel, Richard P. Gabriel, Sonya E. Keene, Gregor
Kiczales, and David A. Moon. Common Lisp Object System Specification , X3J13
Document 88-002R, June 1988; appears as Chapter 28 of Steele, Guy. Common Lisp:
The Language , 2nd ed. Digital Press, 1990, ISBN 1-55558-041-6, 770-864.
Ellis, Margaret A., and Bjarne Stroustrup. The Annotated C++ Reference Manual .
Addison-Wesley, Reading, Massachusetts, 1990, reprinted with corrections October
1992, ISBN 0-201-51459-1.