Some feedback on Search Results Page

[Hannes Wallnoefer]

Thanks for the feedback, David.

The main objective for the updated search page in JDK 25 was to make it possible to navigate search results by keyboard (using tab, arrow and return keys). That’s also the reason search results are no longer displayed as blue links. Now the whole result row is the link, which allows you to click anywhere in the row (it still works with right-click and open in new tab).

The reorganisation of table columns and content is due to alignment with the navigation bar search field on other pages, which now uses the same two-column format. It used to use a single column format containing only the fully qualified name.

As you say, it’s all about tradeoffs. A fully qualified name (or something resembling it) may be quicker to read. The new layout provides more information, and IMO it’s also  more aesthetically pleasing, although that’s certainly subjective. I’m open to changes if there’s a clear trend in feedback.

Hannes

On 01.09.2025, at 19:35, David Alayachew <davidalayachew at gmail.com> wrote:

May also want a 4th column for module, but that's less important. Maybe makes sense to put that behind a toggle.

And I want to emphasize, of these suggestions, the splitting up of Description is the most important. That just makes my searching experience more taxing, as the horizontal position of a package name is slightly different for each line, making reading harder.

On Mon, Sep 1, 2025 at 1:24 PM David Alayachew <davidalayachew at gmail.com<mailto:davidalayachew at gmail.com>> wrote:
Hello @javadoc-dev at openjdk.org<mailto:javadoc-dev at openjdk.org>,

If I click "Search" on the top left of Java 24 Javadoc, and then when the page loads, I type in "Subtask", it returns "StructuredTaskScope.Subtask" with blue text. Here is a screenshot.

<image.png>

But if I do the same for Java 25 EA, not only is the columns different, but the text color for the Class Name has changed from Blue to Black. Here is a screenshot.


<image.png>

It is also the same for Java 26 EA. Here is a screenshot.

<image.png>

There's definitely some tradeoffs I can see.

For example, I can now see from a glance if it's an interface, a class, an enum, etc.

But on the other hand, the "Description" column smushes 2 separate pieces of data together -- class type and package. I would much prefer that these be 2 separate columns, for a total of 3.

I also would like it if we could go back to having packages on the left, vs the right. I understand that the class name is what people care about, but since fully qualified names of classes start with packages, then I think it also makes sense to have the packages be the first column. We can keep class type (interface, enum, Exception, etc) as the 3rd column.

Finally, can we go back to the blue text? Blue is a nice signifier -- I see blue, and I think hyperlinks. It kind of leads me into right-clicking to open in a new tab, and since the blue pops out compared to the black, my eyes naturally gravitate towards it, making it easier for me to find what I need.

These are just a few suggestions from trying out the Java 25 Javadoc over a period of time. I like it, but think it can be better.

Thank you for your time and help.
David Alayachew

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