This page provides high-level overview of HTML Help, WebHelp, JavaHelp, and Oracle Help.

HTML Help
HTML Help is compiled into a CHM ("chum") file. It requires Internet Explorer and Windows.

HTML Help is the new standard Help system for Windows applications.

WebHelp
WebHelp is not compiled, so you have to distribute all of your topics (HTML files), graphics (GIF and JPG files), and multimedia (WAV, AVI, and MPG) files. Your user only needs a browser (version 4+ highly recommended) to view your WebHelp system.

RoboHELP HTML creates a WebHelp folder that contains all of the files you need to distribute. However, you will need to be careful when you create WebHelp. RoboHELP HTML will delete the contents of the WebHelp folder every time you create WebHelp. If you have made any modifications to your WebHelp files, be sure to keep a backup in another directory.

The new version of RoboHELP HTML (v9) includes a Smart Publishing wizard to make it easier to distribute your WebHelp files.

Oracle Help
Oracle Help can be distributed as a compiled JAR file or as uncompiled files. It requires your user to have Oracle Help 3.2.2+ (recommended for Oracle-based applications) or 4.1.2+ (recommended for JFC-based applications). Oracle Help can be downloaded from technet.oracle.com/tech/java/help. Oracle Help also requires the Java Resource Environment (JRE). It can be downloaded from java.sun.com/products.

You must have RoboHELP HTML version 9+ or create Oracle Help.

JavaHelp
JavaHelp can be distributed as a compiled JAR file or as uncompiled files. It requires your user to have the Java Development Kit (JDK) or Java Resource Environment (JRE) and JavaHelp 1.1+. These files are very large (around 20MB). They can be downloaded from java.sun.com/products.

JavaHelp is required for 100% Pure Java certification.