windows - How can I open Java .class files in a human-readable way?

Question

I'm trying to figure out what a Java applet's class file is doing under the hood. Opening it up with Notepad or Textpad just shows a bunch of gobbledy-gook.

Is there any way to wrangle it back into a somewhat-readable format so I can try to figure out what it's doing?

• Environment == Windows w/ VS 2008 installed.

Answer 1

jd-gui is the best decompiler at the moment. it can handle newer features in Java, as compared to the getting-dusty JAD.