JAVA BASICS –NOTES
1. DATA TYPES IN JAVA
Definition
Data types specify the type of data a variable can store. Java is a strongly typed
language, so every variable must have a data type.
Explanation
Data types help Java allocate the correct memory size and prevent storing invalid values
in variables.
Types
Primitive Data Types:
byte, short, int, long, float, double, char, boolean
Non-Primitive Data Types:
String, Array, Class, Object, Interface
Syntax
int age = 20;
Example
double salary = 45000.75;
char grade = 'A';
boolean isPassed = true;
Uses
• Memory allocation
• Type safety
• Faster execution
Pros
• Prevents invalid data storage
• Improves performance
Cons
*primitive data types have fixed size
2. VARIABLES IN JAVA
Definition
Variables are containers used to store data values during program execution.
Explanation
The value of a variable can change while the program runs.
Types of Variables
1. Local Variable – declared inside a method
2. Instance Variable – declared inside a class
3. Static Variable – shared among all objects
Syntax
datatype variableName = value;
Example
String language = "Java";
int count = 5;
Uses
• Store data temporarily
• Perform calculations
• Control program logic
Pros
• Makes programs dynamic
• Easy data manipulation
Cons
• Incorrect scope usage causes errors
3. OPERATORS (BASICS)
Definition
Operators are symbols used to perform operations on variables and values.
Types
• Arithmetic: + - * / %
• Relational: > < >= <= == !=
• Logical: && || !
• Assignment: = += -=
• Unary: ++ --
Example
int sum = a + b;
boolean result = a > b;
Uses
• Calculations
• Comparisons
• Decision making
Pros
• Simplifies operations
Cons
• Misuse leads to logical errors
4. SWITCH STATEMENT
Definition
The switch statement executes one block of code from multiple options based on a
given value.
Explanation
It is an alternative to long if-else chains and improves readability.
Syntax
switch(expression) {
case value1:
statements;
break;
default:
statements;
Example
int day = 1;
switch(day) {
case 1:
[Link]("Monday");
break;
default:
[Link]("Invalid day");
Uses
• Menu-driven programs
• Fixed choice conditions
Pros
• Clean and readable
• Faster than multiple if-else
Cons
• Works only with specific data types
• Requires break to avoid fall-through
5. ENHANCED SWITCH STATEMENT (Java 12+)
Definition
Enhanced switch is a modern version of the switch statement with simpler syntax.
Explanation
It removes the need for break and prevents fall-through errors.
Syntax
switch(day) {
case 1 -> [Link]("Monday");
default -> [Link]("Invalid");
Uses
• Modern Java applications
• Cleaner code structure
Pros
• Less code
• More readable
• Safer
Cons
• Requires newer Java versions
6. LOOPS IN JAVA
Definition
Loops are used to execute a block of code repeatedly until a condition becomes false.
a) FOR LOOP
Explanation: Used when the number of iterations is known.
Syntax
for(initialization; condition; increment) {
statements;
Example
for(int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {
[Link](i);
Pros: Compact and fast
Cons: Less flexible
b) WHILE LOOP
Explanation: Used when the number of iterations is unknown.
Syntax
while(condition) {
statements;
Example
int i = 1;
while(i <= 5) {
[Link](i);
i++;
Pros: Flexible
Cons: Risk of infinite loop
c) DO-WHILE LOOP
Explanation: Executes at least once even if the condition is false.
Syntax
do {
statements;
} while(condition);
Example
int i = 1;
do {
[Link](i);
i++;
} while(i <= 5);
Pros: Guaranteed execution
Cons: May execute unnecessarily once
7. FOR-EACH LOOP
Definition
For-each loop is used to iterate over arrays and collections easily.
Syntax
for(datatype variable : array) {
statements;
}
Example
int[] nums = {1, 2, 3};
for(int n : nums) {
[Link](n);
Uses
• Traversing arrays
• Cleaner iteration
Pros
• Simple and readable
• No index handling
Cons
• Cannot modify index
• Not suitable when index is needed
1. WHAT IS A FUNCTION (METHOD)?
Definition
A function (called a method in Java) is a block of code that performs a specific task and
can be reused whenever needed.
Explanation
Instead of writing the same code again and again, we place it inside a method and call it
whenever required. This makes the program clean, reusable, and easy to maintain.
2. GENERAL SYNTAX OF A METHOD
returnType methodName(parameters) {
// method body
• returnType → specifies what value the method returns
• methodName → name of the method
• parameters → values passed to the method (optional)
3. FUNCTION WITHOUT PARAMETERS AND WITHOUT
RETURN TYPE
Definition
This type of method does not take any input and does not return any value.
Explanation
It simply performs a task when called.
Syntax
void methodName() {
statements;
Example
static void greet() {
[Link]("Welcome to Java");
Method Call
greet();
Uses
• Display messages
• Simple operations
Pros
• Easy to write and understand
• No input/output handling
Cons
• Cannot reuse logic with different values
4. FUNCTION WITH PARAMETERS AND WITHOUT
RETURN TYPE
Definition
This method accepts input values (parameters) but does not return any value.
Explanation
The method performs operations using the given inputs.
Syntax
void methodName(datatype param1, datatype param2) {
statements;
Example
static void add(int a, int b) {
[Link](a + b);
Method Call
add(10, 20);
Uses
• Performing actions using user input
• Printing calculated results
Pros
• More flexible than no-parameter methods
• Accepts dynamic values
Cons
• Result cannot be reused outside the method
5. FUNCTION WITHOUT PARAMETERS AND WITH
RETURN TYPE
Definition
This method does not take any input but returns a value.
Explanation
The method calculates something internally and returns the result.
Syntax
returnType methodName() {
return value;
Example
static int getNumber() {
return 10;
Method Call
int num = getNumber();
Uses
• Returning fixed or pre-calculated values
Pros
• Result can be reused
• Clean and efficient
Cons
• Cannot accept external input
6. FUNCTION WITH PARAMETERS AND WITH RETURN
TYPE (MOST IMPORTANT)
Definition
This method accepts input values and returns a result.
Explanation
It is the most commonly used type of method in real-world Java programs.
Syntax
returnType methodName(datatype param1, datatype param2) {
return value;
Example
static int add(int a, int b) {
return a + b;
Method Call
int result = add(5, 3);
Uses
• Calculations
• Business logic
• Reusable operations
Pros
• Highly reusable
• Flexible and efficient
Cons
• Slightly complex for beginners
7. RETURN TYPE
Definition
Return type specifies what type of value a method sends back to the caller.
a) void Return Type
• Returns nothing
• Used when output is not required
static void show() {
[Link]("Hello");
b) Non-Void Return Type
• Returns a value (int, double, String, etc.)
• Must use the return keyword
static String getName() {
return "Java";
8. IMPORTANT RULES OF RETURN STATEMENT
• return must match the return type
• Code after return will not execute
• void methods cannot return values
9. COMPARISON TABLE
Type Parameters Return Type Example
No param, no return void void show()
Param, no return void void add(int a)
No param, return int get()
int add(int a,int
Param, return
b)
10. WHY FUNCTIONS ARE IMPORTANT
• Code reusability
• Easy debugging
• Better readability
• Modular programming
Keywords
Reserved words like int, class, static, return
Identifiers
Names of variables, methods, and classes
Comments
// Single-line comment
/* Multi-line comment */
Constants
Declared using final
final int MAX = 100;