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Introduction to Programming
Introduction to Programming

Introduction to Programming: Learn to program in Java with data structures, algorithms, and logic

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Profile Icon Nick Samoylov
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Paperback Jun 2018 722 pages 1st Edition
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Arrow left icon
Profile Icon Nick Samoylov
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Paperback Jun 2018 722 pages 1st Edition
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Introduction to Programming

Java Language Basics

Now that you have a general idea about Java and its related terms and tools, we will start discussing Java as a programming language.

This chapter will introduce the basic concepts of Java as an object-oriented programming (OOP) language. You will learn about classes, interfaces, and objects, and their relations. You will also learn the concepts and features of OOP.

In this chapter, we will cover the following topics:

  • The basic terms in Java programming
  • Classes and objects (instances)
  • Class (static) and object (instance) members
  • Interface, implementation, and inheritance
  • OOP concepts and features
  • Exercise – Interface versus abstract class

We call them basics because they are the founding principles of Java as a language, and there is more to learn before you can start programming professionally. For those who are learning Java for the first time,...

The basic terms of Java programming

The notion of Java programming basics has many interpretations. Some tutorials assume the basics to be the same for any object-oriented language. Others discuss syntax and basic language elements and grammar rules. Yet others reduce the basics to the value types, operators, statements, and expressions that allow computations.

Our view of Java basics consists of some elements from each of the earlier approaches. The only criteria for the selection we used were practicality and a gradual increase of complexity. We will start with simple definitions in this section, and then dive deeper into them in the subsequent sections.

Byte code

In the broadest terms, a Java program (or any computer program...

Classes and objects (instances)

A class is used as the template for creating objects. When an object is created, all fields and methods declared in the class are copied into an object. The combination of field values in an object is called object state. The methods provide object behavior. An object is also called an instance of a class.

Each object is created by using the operator new and a constructor that looks like a special kind of method. The primary duty of a constructor is to set an initial object state.

Let's us now have a closer look at Java classes and objects.

Java classes

Java classes are stored in .java files. Each .java file may contain several classes. They are compiled by the Java compiler javac and...

Class (static) and object (instance) members

We have mentioned the term public members in relation to an object. We have also used the keyword static while talking about the main() method. We also stated that a member that is declared static can have only one copy in JVM memory. Now, we are going to define all that, and more.

Private and public

The keywords private and public are called access modifiers. There are also default and protected access modifiers, but we will talk about them in Chapter 7, Packages and Accessibility (Visibility). They are called access modifiers because they regulate accessibility to (sometimes also called visibility of) classes, methods, and fields, from outside the class, and also because they...

Interface, implementation, and inheritance

Now, we are stepping into the most significant area of Java programming – the heavily used Java programming terms of interface, implementation, and inheritance.

Interface

In everyday life, the word interface is quite popular. Its meaning is very close to the role Java interface plays in programming. It defines the public face of an object. It describes how it is possible to interact with the object and what can be expected of it. It hides inner class workings and exposes only method signatures with return values and access modifiers. An interface cannot be instantiated. An object of an interface type can be created only by creating an object of a class that implements this...

OOP concepts

Now, we can talk about concepts that will make more sense to you, compared to presenting them before you learned the main terminology and saw the code examples. These concepts are:

  • Object/class: This keeps the state and behavior together
  • Encapsulation: It hides the state and details of the implementation
  • Inheritance: It propagates behavior/signatures down the chain of class/interface extensions
  • Interface: It isolates signatures from their implementations
  • Polymorphism: This allows an object to be represented by multiple implemented interfaces and any of the base classes, including java.lang.Object.

By now, you are familiar with all of the above, so this is going to be mostly a summary, adding only a few details. That's how we learn – from observing specific facts, building a bigger picture, and improving that picture as new observations come in. We do...

Exercise – Interface versus abstract class

What is the difference between an interface and an abstract class? We did not talk about it, so you will need to do some research.

After the default methods of interfaces were introduced in Java 8, the difference shrunk significantly, and is negligible in many cases.

Answer

An abstract class can have a constructor, while an interface cannot.

An abstract class can have a state, while an interface cannot. The fields of an abstract class can be private and protected, while in an interface, fields are public, static, and final.

An abstract class can have method implementation with any access modifiers, while implemented default methods in an interface are public only.

If the class...

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Key benefits

  • Enjoy your first step into the world of programming
  • Understand what a language is and use its features to build applications
  • Learn about a wide variety of programming applications

Description

Have you ever thought about making your computer do what you want it to do? Do you want to learn to program, but just don't know where to start? Instead of guiding you in the right direction, have other learning resources got you confused with over-explanations? Don't worry. Look no further. Introduction to Programming is here to help. Written by an industry expert who understands the challenges faced by those from a non-programming background, this book takes a gentle, hand-holding approach to introducing you to the world of programming. Beginning with an introduction to what programming is, you'll go on to learn about languages, their syntax, and development environments. With plenty of examples for you to code alongside reading, the book's practical approach will help you to grasp everything it has to offer. More importantly, you'll understand several aspects of application development. As a result, you'll have your very own application running by the end of the book. To help you comprehensively understand Java programming, there are exercises at the end of each chapter to keep things interesting and encourage you to add your own personal touch to the code and, ultimately, your application.

Who is this book for?

Introduction to Programming is for anybody who wants to learn programming. All you’ll need is a computer, internet connection, and a cup of coffee.

What you will learn

  • •Understand what Java is
  • •Install Java and learn how to run it
  • •Write and execute a Java program
  • •Write and execute the test for your program
  • •Install components and confgure your development environment
  • •Learn and use Java language fundamentals
  • •Learn object-oriented design principles
  • •Master the frequently used Java constructs

Product Details

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Publication date : Jun 15, 2018
Length: 722 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781788839129
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Publication date : Jun 15, 2018
Length: 722 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781788839129
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Table of Contents

20 Chapters
Java Virtual Machine (JVM) on Your Computer Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Java Language Basics Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Your Development Environment Setup Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Your First Java Project Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Java Language Elements and Types Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Interfaces, Classes, and Object Construction Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Packages and Accessibility (Visibility) Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Object-Oriented Design (OOD) Principles Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Operators, Expressions, and Statements Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Control Flow Statements Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
JVM Processes and Garbage Collection Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Java Standard and External Libraries Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Java Collections Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Managing Collections and Arrays Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Managing Objects, Strings, Time, and Random Numbers Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Database Programming Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Lambda Expressions and Functional Programming Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Streams and Pipelines Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Reactive Systems Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Other Books You May Enjoy Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
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