Java Tutorials
Introduction to java programming indepth
1
Chapter outline
basic Java programs
programs and programming languages
output with println statements
syntax and errors
String literals and escape sequences
procedural decomposition with static methods
structured algorithms
identifiers, keywords, and comments
drawing complex figures
2
Computer programs
program: A set of instructions
to be carried out by a computer.
program execution: The act of
carrying out the instructions
contained in a program.
programming language: A systematic set of rules
used to describe computations in a format that is
editable by humans.
This textbook teaches programming in a language named Java.
3
Some influential ones:
FORTRAN
science / engineering
COBOL
business data
LISP
logic and AI
BASIC
a simple language
Languages
4
Some modern languages
procedural languages: programs are a series of commands
Pascal (1970): designed for education
C (1972): low-level operating systems and device drivers
functional programming: functions map inputs to outputs
Lisp (1958) / Scheme (1975), ML (1973), Haskell (1990)
object-oriented languages: programs use interacting "objects"
Smalltalk (1980): first major object-oriented language
C++ (1985): "object-oriented" improvements to C
successful in industry; used to build major OSes such as Windows
Java (1995): designed for embedded systems, web apps/servers
Runs on many platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux, cell phones...)
The language taught in this textbook
5
A basic Java program
public class Hello {
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println("Hello, world!");
}
}
code or source code: The sequence of instructions in a program.
The code in this program instructs the computer to display a message
of Hello, world! on the screen.
output: The messages printed to the user by a program.
console: The text box onto which
output is printed.
Some editors pop up the console as
an external window, and others
contain their own console window.
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Compiling/running a program
Before you run your programs, you must compile them.
compiler: Translates a computer program written in
one language into another language.
Java Development Kit includes a Java compiler.
byte code: The Java compiler converts your source code into a
format named byte code that can be executed on many different
kinds of computers.
compile execute
outputsource code
Hello.java
byte code
Hello.class
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public class Hello2 {
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println("Hello, world!");
System.out.println();
System.out.println("This program produces");
System.out.println("four lines of output");
}
}
The code in this program instructs the computer to
print four messages on the screen.
Its output:
Hello, world!
This program produces
four lines of output
Another Java program
8
public class
<name>
<name> {
public static void main(String[] args) {
<statement>
<statement>
;
;
<statement>
<statement>
;
;
...
...
<statement>
<statement>
;
;
}
}
Every executable Java program consists of a class
that contains a method named main
that contains the statements (commands) to be executed
Structure of Java programs
9
Java terminology
class: A module that can contain executable code.
Every program you write will be a class.
statement: An executable command to the computer.
method: A named sequence of statements that can be
executed together to perform a particular action.
A special method named main signifies the code that should be
executed when your program runs.
Your program can have other methods in addition to main.
(seen later)
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Syntax
syntax: The set of legal structures and commands that
can be used in a particular programming language.
some Java syntax:
every basic Java statement ends with a semicolon ;
The contents of a class or method occur between { and }
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syntax error or compiler error: A problem in the
structure of a program that causes the compiler to fail.
If you type your Java program incorrectly, you may violate
Java's syntax and cause a syntax error.
1 public class Hello {
2 pooblic static void main(String[] args) {
3 System.owt.println("Hello, world!")_
4 }
5 }
Hello.java:2: <identifier> expected
pooblic static void main(String[] args) {
^
Hello.java:5: ';' expected
}
^
2 errors
compiler output:
Syntax errors
12
Error messages do not always help us understand what is wrong:
Hello.java:2: <identifier> expected
pooblic static void main(String[] args) {
^
We'd have preferred a friendly message such as, "You misspelled public"
The compiler does tell us the line number on which it found the error...
But it is not always the true source of the problem.
1 public class MissingSemicolon {
2 public static void main(String[] args) {
3 System.out.println("A rose by any other name")
4 System.out.println("would smell as sweet");
5 }
6 }
MissingSemicolon.java:4: ';' expected
System.out.println("would smell as sweet");
^
Fixing syntax errors
13
System.out.println : A statement to instruct the
computer to print a line of output on the console.
pronounced "print-linn"
sometimes called a "println statement" for short
Two ways to use System.out.println :
System.out.println("<Message>");
Prints the given message as a line of text on the console.
System.out.println();
Prints a blank line on the console.
System.out.println
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string: A sequence of text characters that can be
printed or manipulated in a program.
sometimes also called a string literal
strings in Java start and end with quotation mark " characters
Examples:
"hello"
"This is a string"
"This, too, is a string. It can be very long!"
Strings and string literals
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A string may not span across multiple lines.
"This is not
a legal String."
A string may not contain a " character. (The ' character is okay)
"This is not a "legal" String either."
"This is 'okay' though."
A string can represent certain special characters by preceding them
with a backslash \ (this is called an escape sequence).
\t tab character
\n new line character
\" quotation mark character
\\ backslash character
Example: System.out.println("\\hello\nhow\tare \"you\"?");
Output: \hello
how are "you"?
Details about Strings
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What is the output of each of the following println statements?
System.out.println("\ta\tb\tc");
System.out.println("\\\\");
System.out.println("'");
System.out.println("\"\"\"");
System.out.println("C:\nin\the downward spiral");
Write a println statement to produce the following line of output:
/ \ // \\ /// \\\
Questions
17
Output of each println statement:
a b c
\\
'
"""
C:
in he downward spiral
println statement to produce the line of output:
System.out.println("/ \\ // \\\\ /// \\\\\\");
Answers
18
What println statements will generate the following output?
This program prints a
quote from the Gettysburg Address.
"Four score and seven years ago,
our 'fore fathers' brought forth on
this continent a new nation."
What println statements will generate the following output?
A "quoted" String is
'much' better if you learn
the rules of "escape sequences."
Also, "" represents an empty String.
Don't forget: use \" instead of " !
'' is not the same as "
Questions
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println statements to generate the output:
System.out.println("This program prints a");
System.out.println("quote from the Gettysburg Address.");
System.out.println();
System.out.println("\"Four score and seven years ago,");
System.out.println("our 'fore fathers' brought forth on");
System.out.println("this continent a new nation.\"");
println statements to generate the output:
System.out.println("A \"quoted\" String is");
System.out.println("'much' better if you learn");
System.out.println("the rules of \"escape sequences.\"");
System.out.println();
System.out.println("Also, \"\" represents an empty String.");
System.out.println("Don't forget: use \\\" instead of \" !");
System.out.println("'' is not the same as \"");
Answers
Algorithms
algorithm: A list of steps for solving a problem.
How does one bake sugar cookies?
(what is the "bake sugar cookies" algorithm?)
Mix the dry ingredients.
Cream the butter and sugar.
Beat in the eggs.
Stir in the dry ingredients.
Set the oven for the appropriate temperature.
Set the timer.
Place the cookies into the oven.
Allow the cookies to bake.
Mix the ingredients for the frosting.
Spread frosting and sprinkles onto the cookies.
...
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Structured algorithms
structured algorithm: One broken down into cohesive tasks.
A structured algorithm for baking sugar cookies:
1. Make the cookie batter.
Mix the dry ingredients.
Cream the butter and sugar.
Beat in the eggs.
Stir in the dry ingredients.
2. Bake the cookies.
Set the oven for the appropriate temperature.
Set the timer.
Place the cookies into the oven.
Allow the cookies to bake.
3. Add frosting and sprinkles.
Mix the ingredients for the frosting.
Spread frosting and sprinkles onto the cookies.
...
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How would we bake a double batch of sugar cookies?
Unstructured:
Mix the dry ingredients.
Cream the butter and sugar.
Beat in the eggs.
Stir in the dry ingredients.
Set the oven ...
Set the timer.
Place the first batch of cookies
into the oven.
Allow the cookies to bake.
Set the oven ...
Set the timer.
Place the second batch of
cookies into the oven.
Allow the cookies to bake.
Mix ingredients for frosting.
Structured:
1. Make the cookie batter.
2a. Bake the first batch of
cookies.
2b. Bake the second batch of
cookies.
3. Add frosting and sprinkles.
Observations about the
structured algorithm:
It is hierarchical, therefore
easier to understand.
Higher-level operations help
eliminate redundancy.
Redundancy in algorithms
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A program with redundancy
redundancy: Occurrence of the same sequence of
commands multiple times in a program.
public class TwoMessages {
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println("Now this is the story all about how");
System.out.println("My life got flipped turned upside-down");
System.out.println();
System.out.println("Now this is the story all about how");
System.out.println("My life got flipped turned upside-down");
}
}
Output:
Now this is the story all about how
My life got flipped turned upside-down
Now this is the story all about how
My life got flipped turned upside-down
We print the same messages twice in the program.
24
Static methods
static method: A group of statements given a name.
procedural decomposition: breaking a problem into methods
using a static method requires two steps:
1. declare it (write down the recipe)
write a group of statements and give it a name
2. call it (cook using the recipe)
tell our program to execute the method
static methods are useful for:
denoting the structure of a larger program in smaller pieces
eliminating redundancy through reuse
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Syntax for declaring a static method
(writing down the recipe):
public class <class name> {
public static void <method name> () {
<statement>;
<statement>;
...
<statement>;
}
}
Example:
public static void printWarning() {
System.out.println("This product is known to cause");
System.out.println("cancer in lab rats and humans.");
}
Declaring a static method
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Calling a static method
Syntax for calling a static method (cooking using the recipe):
In another method such as main, write:
<method name> ();
Example:
printWarning();
You can call the method multiple times.
printWarning();
printWarning();
Resulting output:
This product is known to cause
cancer in lab rats and humans.
This product is known to cause
cancer in lab rats and humans.
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A program w/ static method
public class TwoMessages {
public static void main(String[] args) {
displayMessage();
System.out.println();
displayMessage();
}
public static void displayMessage() {
System.out.println("Now this is the story all about how");
System.out.println("My life got flipped turned upside-down");
}
}
Program's output:
Now this is the story all about how
My life got flipped turned upside-down
Now this is the story all about how
My life got flipped turned upside-down
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Methods calling methods
One static method can call another:
public class MethodsExample {
public static void main(String[] args) {
message1();
message2();
System.out.println("Done with main.");
}
public static void message1() {
System.out.println("This is message1.");
}
public static void message2() {
System.out.println("This is message2.");
message1();
System.out.println("Done with message2.");
}
}
Output:
This is message1.
This is message2.
This is message1.
Done with message2.
Done with main.
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public static void message1() {
System.out.println("This is message1.");
}
public static void message2() {
System.out.println("This is message2.");
message1();
System.out.println("Done with message2.");
}
public static void message1() {
System.out.println("This is message1.");
}
Control flow of methods
When a method is called:
the execution "jumps" into that method,
executes all of its statements, and then
"jumps" back to the statement after the method call.
public class MethodsExample {
public static void main(String[] args) {
message1();
message2();
System.out.println("Done with main.");
}
...
}
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When to use static methods
Place statements into a static method if:
The statements are related to each other and
form a part of the program's structure, or
The statements are repeated in the program.
You need not create static methods for:
Individual statements only occurring once in the program.
(A single println in a method does not improve the program.)
Unrelated or weakly related statements.
(Consider splitting the method into two smaller methods.)
Only blank lines.
(Blank println statements can go in the main method.)
Static method questions
Write a program that prints the following output to the
console. Use static methods as appropriate.
I do not like my email spam,
I do not like them, Sam I am!
I do not like them on my screen,
I do not like them to be seen.
I do not like my email spam,
I do not like them, Sam I am!
Write a program that prints the following output to the
console. Use static methods as appropriate.
Lollipop, lollipop
Oh, lolli lolli lolli
Lollipop, lollipop
Oh, lolli lolli lolli
Call my baby lollipop
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32
Identifiers
identifier: A name given to a piece of data, method, etc.
Identifiers allow us to refer to an item later in the program.
Identifiers give names to:
classes
methods
variables, constants (seen in Ch. 2)
Conventions for naming in Java:
classes: capitalize each word (ClassName)
methods: capitalize each word after the first (methodName)
(variable names follow the same convention)
constants: all caps, words separated by _ (CONSTANT_NAME)
33
Details about identifiers
Java identifiers:
first character must a letter or _ or $
following characters can be any of those or a number
identifiers are case-sensitive (name is different from Name)
Example Java identifiers:
legal: susan second_place _myName
TheCure ANSWER_IS_42 $variable
illegal: me+u 49er question?
side-swipe hi there ph.d
jim's 2%milk suzy@yahoo.com
can you explain why each of the above identifiers is not legal?
34
Keywords
keyword: An identifier that you cannot use because it
already has a reserved meaning in the Java language.
Complete list of Java keywords:
abstract default if private this
boolean do implements protected throw
break double import public throws
byte else instanceof return transient
case extends int short try
catch final interface static void
char finally long strictfp volatile
class float native super while
const for new switch
continue goto package synchronized
You may not use char or while for the name of a class
or method; Java reserves those to mean other things.
You could use CHAR or While, because Java is case-sensitive.
However, this could be confusing and is not recommended.
35
Comments
comment: A note written in the source code by the
programmer to make the code easier to understand.
Comments are not executed when your program runs.
Most Java editors show your comments with a special color.
Comment, general syntax:
/* <comment text; may span multiple lines> */
or,
// <comment text, on one line>
Examples:
/* A comment goes here. */
/* It can even span
multiple lines. */
// This is a one-line comment.
36
Using comments
Where to place comments:
at the top of each file (also called a "comment header"),
naming the author and explaining what the program does
at the start of every method, describing its behavior
inside methods, to explain complex pieces of code
(more useful later)
Comments provide important documentation.
Later programs will span hundreds of lines with many methods.
Comments provide a simple description of what each class,
method, etc. is doing.
When multiple programmers work together, comments help one
programmer understand the other's code.
37
Comments example
/* Suzy Student
CS 101, Fall 2019
This program prints lyrics from my favorite song! */
public class MyFavoriteSong {
/* Runs the overall program to print the song
on the console. */
public static void main(String[] args) {
sing();
// Separate the two verses with a blank line
System.out.println();
sing();
}
// Displays the first verse of the theme song.
public static void sing() {
System.out.println("Now this is the story all about how");
System.out.println("My life got flipped turned upside-down");
}
}
38
How to comment: methods
Do not describe the syntax/statements in detail.
Instead, provide a short English description of the
observed behavior when the method is run.
Example:
// This method prints the lyrics to the first verse
// of my favorite TV theme song.
// Blank lines separate the parts of the verse.
public static void verse1() {
System.out.println("Now this is the story all about how");
System.out.println("My life got flipped turned upside-down");
System.out.println();
System.out.println("And I'd like to take a minute,");
System.out.println("just sit right there");
System.out.println("I'll tell you how I became the prince");
System.out.println("of a town called Bel-Air");
}
39
Static methods question
Write a program to print the following figures. Use
static methods for structure and to reduce redundancy.
______
/ \
/ \
\ /
\______/
\ /
\______/
+--------+
______
/ \
/ \
| STOP |
\ /
\______/
______
/ \
/ \
+--------+
40
Problem-solving methodology
Some steps we can use to print complex figures:
______
/ \
/ \
\ /
\______/
\ /
\______/
+--------+
______
/ \
/ \
| STOP |
\ /
\______/
______
/ \
/ \
+--------+
First version of program (unstructured):
Create an empty program with a skeletal header
and main method.
Copy the expected output into it, surrounding
each line with System.out.println syntax.
Run our first version and verify that it produces
the correct output.
41
Program, version 1
// Author: Suzy Student
// This program prints several assorted figures.
//
public class Figures1 {
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println(" ______");
System.out.println(" / \\");
System.out.println("/ \\");
System.out.println("\\ /");
System.out.println(" \\______/");
System.out.println();
System.out.println("\\ /");
System.out.println(" \\______/");
System.out.println("+--------+");
System.out.println();
System.out.println(" ______");
System.out.println(" / \\");
System.out.println("/ \\");
System.out.println("| STOP |");
System.out.println("\\ /");
System.out.println(" \\______/");
System.out.println();
System.out.println(" ______");
System.out.println(" / \\");
System.out.println("/ \\");
System.out.println("+--------+");
}
}
42
Problem-solving 2
______
/ \
/ \
\ /
\______/
\ /
\______/
+--------+
______
/ \
/ \
| STOP |
\ /
\______/
______
/ \
/ \
+--------+
Second version of program
(structured with redundancy):
Identify the structure of the output.
Divide the main method into several static
methods based on this structure.
43
Problem-solving 2 answer
______
/ \
/ \
\ /
\______/
\ /
\______/
+--------+
______
/ \
/ \
| STOP |
\ /
\______/
______
/ \
/ \
+--------+
The structure of the output:
initial "egg" figure
second "teacup" figure
third "stop sign" figure
fourth "hat" figure
This structure can be represented by methods:
drawEgg
drawTeaCup
drawStopSign
drawHat
44
Program, version 2
// Author: Suzy Student
// Prints several assorted figures, with methods for structure.
//
public class Figures2 {
public static void main(String[] args) {
drawEgg();
drawTeaCup();
drawStopSign();
drawHat();
}
// Draws a figure that vaguely resembles an egg.
public static void drawEgg() {
System.out.println(" ______");
System.out.println(" / \\");
System.out.println("/ \\");
System.out.println("\\ /");
System.out.println(" \\______/");
System.out.println();
}
// Draws a figure that vaguely resembles a teacup.
public static void drawTeaCup() {
System.out.println("\\ /");
System.out.println(" \\______/");
System.out.println("+--------+");
System.out.println();
}
...
45
Program, version 2, cont'd.
...
// Draws a figure that vaguely resembles a stop sign.
public static void drawStopSign() {
System.out.println(" ______");
System.out.println(" / \\");
System.out.println("/ \\");
System.out.println("| STOP |");
System.out.println("\\ /");
System.out.println(" \\______/");
System.out.println();
}
// Draws a figure that vaguely resembles a hat.
public static void drawHat() {
System.out.println(" ______");
System.out.println(" / \\");
System.out.println("/ \\");
System.out.println("+--------+");
}
}
46
Problem-solving 3
______
/ \
/ \
\ /
\______/
\ /
\______/
+--------+
______
/ \
/ \
| STOP |
\ /
\______/
______
/ \
/ \
+--------+
Third version of program
(structured without redundancy):
Identify any redundancy in the output, and further
divide the program into static methods to
eliminate as much redundancy as possible.
Add comments to the program to improve its
readability.
47
Problem-solving 3 answer
The redundancy in the output:
top half of egg: reused on stop sign, hat
bottom half of egg: reused on teacup, stop sign
divider line: used on teacup, hat
a single line, so making it a method is optional
This redundancy can be fixed by methods:
drawEggTop
drawEggBottom
drawLine (optional)
______
/ \
/ \
\ /
\______/
\ /
\______/
+--------+
______
/ \
/ \
| STOP |
\ /
\______/
______
/ \
/ \
+--------+
48
Program, version 3
// Author: Suzy Student
// Prints several figures, with methods for structure and redundancy.
//
public class Figures3 {
public static void main(String[] args) {
drawEgg();
drawTeaCup();
drawStopSign();
drawHat();
}
// draws redundant part that looks like the top of an egg
public static void drawEggTop() {
System.out.println(" ______");
System.out.println(" / \\");
System.out.println("/ \\");
}
// draws redundant part that looks like the bottom of an egg
public static void drawEggBottom() {
System.out.println("\\ /");
System.out.println(" \\______/");
}
...
49
Program, version 3, cont'd.
...
// Draws a figure that vaguely resembles an egg.
public static void drawEgg() {
drawEggTop();
drawEggBottom();
System.out.println();
}
// Draws a figure that vaguely resembles a teacup.
public static void drawTeaCup() {
drawEggBottom();
System.out.println("+--------+");
System.out.println();
}
// Draws a figure that vaguely resembles a stop sign.
public static void drawStopSign() {
drawEggTop();
System.out.println("| STOP |");
drawEggBottom();
System.out.println();
}
// Draws a figure that vaguely resembles a hat.
public static void drawHat() {
drawEggTop();
System.out.println("+--------+");
}
}
