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.
Version | HTML Help requirements | eHelp browse sequences, glossary tab, or WebSearch button requirements |
Windows 95 | Internet Explorer 4+ | HHActiveX.dll |
Windows NT 4 | Internet Explorer 4+ | HHActiveX.dll |
Windows 98 | built-in | HHActiveX.dll |
Windows ME | built-in | HHActiveX.dll |
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.