Decompiling Java Class Files

Is there any way to decompile a class file to get the Java code without using any software like DJ Decompiler etc.

Well, I'm not sure how you'd even read the bytes of the class file without some sort of "software". It's tempting to start to list hopelessly impractical and silly low-level procedures for doing this. But to save time, I'll assume you're willing to at least use basic tools provided with Sun's own JDK - namely, javap. You can use this to convert a class file to a sort of assembly language for the JVM, which is described in the JVM Specification. It's possible to look through this carefully and, using your own brain, figure out what a program is doing. Unfortunately it's also slow and tedious, and error-prone for most of us. Which is why people developed programs like JAD. So I'd say yes, it's possible - though I'm not sure why anyone would want to.

Thanks Jim,

The thing is that I need to look at the source code of a class to debug a partcular issue and I dont have the Java File. And I am unable to download anything from the internet. Thats why I insisted on getting the class file without using any software. I thought that there would be something available in the JDK. Thanks for the info.

http://www.download.com/DJ-Java-Decompiler/3000-2417-10046809.html?part=dl-DJJavaDec&subj=dl&tag=button

Seems to decompile class files. However, if you want to decompile exe files, the only source code you will get is in assembler.