This discussion marks the beginning of our consideration of the Java programming language, per se. The discussion will proceed through several phases. During the first phase, the discussion will cover four topics: Java things, including primitive data types, operators, classes, and methods; events and actions; display contexts, including Java panels and frames; and basic user interface components. These capabilities will enable you to create a simple applet, including a primitive user interface.The discussion of Java begins with its nouns. That is, the things you can create that represent a value or concept. Java provides a basic set of so-called primitive data types. But it also allows the programmer to create an unlimited number of new types in the form of classes. Furthermore, functions, called methods in Java, that operate on objects bear a strong resemblance to a variables when they return a value within an expression, so they, too, can be considered a type of "thing."
Topics
Begin discussion of basic Java Things.
- Variables
- Classes
- Methods
References
Useful references include:
- Introduction to O-O Programming in Java class tutorial
- Java Overview
- Sun's Java Development Kit (JDK)
- The API
- The API Class Hierarchy
- Source Code for JDK Packages
Assignment for Next Class
- Read Java AWT Contexts.