# Getting Started

## What This Project Does
This repository is a small Java codebase centered on source-file header examples. The files act as reference specimens for different comment styles: complete headers, partial headers, license headers, no header, and a very long revision history.

If you are new here, treat the project as documentation-first rather than application-first. There is no obvious runtime entry point; the important work is understanding the conventions represented in the Java files.

## Recommended Reading Order
1. [Root overview](../overview.md) — start here for the project summary and the file map.
2. [`NoHeader.java`](../../src/main/java/NoHeader.java) — the simplest baseline for comparison.
3. [`PartialHeader.java`](../../src/main/java/PartialHeader.java) — shows a partially filled header.
4. [`WithHeader.java`](../../src/main/java/WithHeader.java) — shows a more complete processing header.
5. [`MitLicense.java`](../../src/main/java/MitLicense.java) — adds the licensing pattern.
6. [`Crosslink.java`](../../src/main/java/Crosslink.java) — shows a header plus an in-body change marker.
7. [`LongHeader.java`](../../src/main/java/LongHeader.java) — the edge case for long comment blocks.

## Key Entry Points
The repository snapshot does not identify any highly referenced classes or shared abstractions. Start with the top-level example files instead:

- [`NoHeader.java`](../../src/main/java/NoHeader.java)
- [`PartialHeader.java`](../../src/main/java/PartialHeader.java)
- [`WithHeader.java`](../../src/main/java/WithHeader.java)
- [`MitLicense.java`](../../src/main/java/MitLicense.java)
- [`Crosslink.java`](../../src/main/java/Crosslink.java)
- [`LongHeader.java`](../../src/main/java/LongHeader.java)

## Project Structure
The repo is intentionally flat:

- `.codewiki/` — generated documentation pages and navigation metadata.
- `src/main/java/` — the Java example files.

A simple mental model is:

```mermaid
flowchart TD
ROOT["root documentation"] --> NOHEADER["NoHeader.java"]
ROOT --> PARTIALHEADER["PartialHeader.java"]
ROOT --> WITHHEADER["WithHeader.java"]
ROOT --> MITLICENSE["MitLicense.java"]
ROOT --> CROSSLINK["Crosslink.java"]
ROOT --> LONGHEADER["LongHeader.java"]
```

Each Java file appears to be independent and is used to demonstrate one header style or variation.

## Configuration
There are no visible framework configs or runtime settings in the current snapshot. The main files to know are:

- `.codewiki/overview.md` — overall documentation landing page.
- `.codewiki/tree.json` — generated map of the documentation tree.
- Java source files under `src/main/java/` — the actual examples being documented.

If you add more examples, update the `.codewiki` pages so the navigation stays accurate.

## Common Patterns
A few conventions repeat throughout the codebase:

- **Header-first examples** — the comment block above each class is the main artifact.
- **Minimal class bodies** — most classes are empty or nearly empty, keeping attention on the header.
- **Version markers in comments** — several files include versioned change notes such as `v72.00.00`.
- **No shared framework code** — the examples stand alone, so compare files directly rather than tracing cross-file dependencies.
- **Use the headers as the data model** — when reading or extending the repo, focus on consistency of comment format, spacing, and revision text.

## Where To Go Next
Once you have the basics, compare the files side by side and answer two questions:

1. Which header fields are always present?
2. Which ones vary by file type or level of completeness?

That will give you the fastest path to understanding the conventions this repository is demonstrating.