Fundamentals of Information Technology
Chapter Five (Part 2)
Introduction to Programming in Java
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Outline
Introduction
Java Application Structure
Reserved Words
Comments
Identifiers
Variables and Data Types
Assignment Operator
Constants
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Java Application Structure
Notes
•Java applications must follow a predetermined syntax.
The syntax is a set of rules to strictly follow to write instructions.
•A class is a computer-understandable template for defining data
(attributes) and methods.
•Java source programs are case-sensitive.
• For example, Area differs from aRea and area.
•A pair of braces (curly brackets { } ) in a program marks the beginning
and end of a block of code that groups the program's components.
•A block is a construct that groups of programming statements.
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Java Application Structure
Notes (contd.)
• In Java, each block begins with an opening brace { and ends with a closing brace }.
• Every class has a class block that groups the data and methods of the class.
• Similarly, every method has a method block that groups the statements in the method.
• Blocks can be nested, meaning that one block can be placed within another.
• The following program skeleton contains two blocks:
• The class block and the main method block.
• The main method block is nested with the class block.
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A Simple Hello World Application
public class HelloWorld
{
public static void main(String[] args)
{
[Link]("Hello World! ");
}
}
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A Simple Hello World Application (contd.)
• The main method is referred to as the program’s entry point.
• It is where the program begins execution.
• A Java program is executed from the main() method in the class.
• A class may contain several methods.
• There CAN NEVER BE more than one main() method in the same class.
• The signature (i.e., header) of the main() method is always the same.
• A method is a block of code that contains or groups statements that perform an
operation.
Question:
Write a Java application that is called WelcomeApp that displays
Welcome to Java.
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Java Reserved Words
• A reserved word, or keyword, has a specific meaning to the compiler and cannot
be used for other purposes in the program.
• For example, when the compiler sees the word class, it understands that the word
after class is the name for the class.
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Comments
• Comments help programmers communicate, remember and understand the
program.
• They provide a better understanding of the program.
• Comments are not programming statements and thus are ignored by the
compiler.
• Two Types of Comments:
1. Single-line comments: comments are preceded by double forward slashes (//) and they
extend on only one line.
2. Multiline comments: comments are enclosed between /* and */ and they span
multiple lines.
• When the compiler encounters the // symbol, it ignores whatever comes after it.
• When it sees the /* symbol, it scans for the first occurrence of */ and ignores
any text between them, i.e., between /* and */.
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Comments
• Single-Line comment:
// This is a single-line comment
• Multiline comment:
/* This comment goes on one line */
/* This
is a
multiline comment */
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Comments
Examples
public class JavaApplication49 {
public static void main(String[] args) {
/* [Link]("hello to java#");
[Link]("public"); */
} }
package javaapplication49;
public class JavaApplication49 {
public static void main(String[] args) {
[Link]("hello to java#"); //
// [Link]("hello to java#");
[Link]("hello to java#"); //
}
}
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Identifiers
Identifiers are names that identify the different elements of a Java application, such as
classes, methods, and variables.
An identifier is a sequence of characters that consists of letters, digits, underscores ( _ ),
or dollar signs ($).
Restrictions on identifiers:
1. An identifier CANNOT be a reserved word.
2. An identifier MUST start with a letter, It CANNOT start with a digit.
3. An identifier CANNOT contain spaces or special characters, EXCEPT
underscores ( _ ) or a Dollar sign ($).
4. An identifier can be of any length.
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Identifiers
Example:
• The following table contains a list of valid identifiers in the first column and a list of
invalid identifiers in the second one.
Invalid Identifier Valid Identifier
cAr<class cAr
public My_naMe
My name Hel$4
12new T_12
false ST_
#new nAME$
hello? public5
na(me Class
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Identifiers
Exercise
• In the table below, fill in the second column whether the identifier is valid or invalid.
Write down the reason, if invalid, in the third column.
Reason Valid/Invalid Identifier
main
Main
AV$$M
_Aa
A B
3_AB
AB13
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Variables and Data Types
• A variable is a location in memory that is to store a value of a certain datatype.
• Java is a statically-typed programming language.
• This implies that all the variables must be declared before they can be used.
• A variable is declared by specifying its name and the type of information that it holds
(data type).
In other words, a variable has:
• A Name.
• A Data type.
• The following syntax shows how variables are declared:
datatype varName;
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Variables and Data Types
• Data types in Java are classified into:
• Primitive Data Types:
• Numeric data types: byte, short, int, long, float, double.
• Character data type: char.
• Boolean data type: boolean.
• Non-primitive Data Type:
• String.
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Variables and Data Types
• Examples:
• int x; // Declare an integer variable x
• double radius; // Declare a variable of the type
// double whose identifier is radius
• char a; // Declare a character variable a
• boolean checked; // Declare a boolean variable checked
• Multiple variables of the same data type can be declared at once, as follows:
• int x, y, z;
• double m1, m2, m3, avg;
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Variables and Data Types
Java Numeric Data Types
Every numeric data type has a range of values.
The compiler allocates memory space for each variable, or constant, according to
its data type.
Example:
double n = 12.2;
int x =12;
double m = -92.0;
float y = 3.14f;
long n2 = 125L;
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Department
Assignment Operator
• An assignment statement designates a value for a variable.
• The equal sign () is used as the assignment operator.
• The syntax of using the assignment operator is as follows:
varName = value;
Examples:
• x = 1; // Assign 1 to x
• radius = 2.7; // Assign 2.7 to radius
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Assignment Operator
Notes:
• The compiler DOES NOT assign a default value to an uninitialized local variable.
• Be sure to assign a value to every variable you declare before you attempt to use it.
• Accessing an uninitialized local variable will result in a compile-time error.
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Assignment Operator
Example:
public class Main public class Main
{ {
public static void main(String[] args)
public static void main (String[]
{
args) {
int x = 12;
int x = 12;
double y;
double y;
y = 55.7;
y = 55.7;
double num;
long num;
[Link](num);
} }
} No Errors } This code contains an error
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Declaration with Initialization
• It is possible to assign a value to a variable when the variable is declared.
• This is referred to as Declaration with Initialization.
• It is also referred to as Initialization on Declaration.
Example:
• int x = 1;
• double radius = 2.7;
• int x = 8, y = 3, z = 23;
• double m1 = 78, m2 = 84.5, avg = 70.0;
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Constants (Final Variables)
A constant is a variable that holds a permanent value.
A value that never changes.
Once a constant is initialized, its value CANNOT be changed.
The syntax for declaring a constant :
final datatype constantName = value;
Example:
final double p=3.14;
final int size = 3;
• Constants can be declared in two phases, as follows:
final float PI;
PI = 3.14f;
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List of Well-Known Constants
• Exercise:
• Express the following constants using Java.
Constant Symbol Value
Pi
Euler's number
Speed of light
Boiling pint of water
Days per week
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