The order of method descriptions can change from one javadoc run to the next
using the same version of javadoc, the same source files, and the same javadoc
call. I used Java 2 SDK 1.4.2 build 26 for these tests. Alan Sommerer
has observed the same phenomenon in earlier versions.

I rely on the order being the same when running diffs between versions
for JCP reviews of the J2SE API spec.

To re-state, I notice that when I run a full build of Java 2 SDK including
docs, save those docs,then do another build, the method descriptions can
be in a different order.

For example,in the "Uses of java.awt.Color"page, here are two
different orders of methods in the table. Notice "getBorderColor()"
is the fourth method in the first list but the second method in the
second list.

-----------------------------------------------------
http://javapubs.sfbay/ws/mantis-docs-GA/build/solaris-sparc/doc/api/java/awt/class-use/Color.html

Methods in javax.swing.plaf.basic that return Color

  protected Color BasicTreeUI.getHashColor()

            Color BasicToolBarUI.getDockingColor()
            Gets the color displayed when over a docking area

            Color BasicToolBarUI.getFloatingColor()
            Gets the color displayed when over a floating area

            Color BasicToolBarUI.DragWindow.getBorderColor()

-----------------------------------------------------
http://swpubs.sfbay/javadoc/ws-mantis-promoted/doc/api/java/awt/class-use/Color.html

Methods in javax.swing.plaf.basic that return Color

  protected Color BasicTreeUI.getHashColor()

            Color BasicToolBarUI.DragWindow.getBorderColor()

            Color BasicToolBarUI.getDockingColor()
            Gets the color displayed when over a docking area

            Color BasicToolBarUI.getFloatingColor()
            Gets the color displayed when over a floating area
-----------------------------------------------------

The above is one example discovered by doing these diffs:

#!/bin/ksh -x
diff -r /java/re/jdk/1.4.2/promoted/rc/b26/doc/api /java/pubs/ws/mantis-docs-GA/build/solaris-sparc/doc/api > diff-keywords.log

The diffs from that file were distilled and then attached as
diff-keywords-ESSENTIAL.log
I have deleted non-essential parts of the diffs from this file to show
only which files were being diffed and their differences. In nearly all
cases, the only diffs are due to the order of members being different.