11/30/2020

Classes

Brandon Krakowsky

Classes

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Classes
• Everything in Java is object‐oriented and class‐based
‐ This means you have to create at least one class to write a Java program
• A class describes an object
‐ It’s like a template for a new kind of object
‐ When you define a class, you’re defining a new data type
• To use the object, you create an instance of the class
‐ It’s a very similar concept in Python
• A class includes:
‐ Fields (instance variables) that hold the data for each object
‐ Constructors that describe how to create a new object instance of the class
‐ Methods that describe the actions the object can perform

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Defining a Class
• Here’s simple syntax for defining a sample class:

public class ClassName {

// The fields (instance variables) of the object
// The constructors for creating the object
// The methods for communicating with the object
}
• public is an access modifier that defines the visibility of the class
‐ public means any other program in the Java project can use the class (i.e., create instances or
call methods)
‐ We’ll talk about other access modifiers later in the course
• Things in a class can be in any order

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Defining Fields in a Class

• An object’s data is stored in fields (instance variables)
‐ The fields describe the state of the object
‐ Fields are defined as variable declarations in the class
• Sample class definition with instance variables:

public class ClassName {

// The fields (instance variables) of the object
String name; //declaration to store a String in the object,
defaults to null
double health; //declaration to store a double in the object
int age = 0; //declaration to store an int in the object, initially
set to 0
}
• Fields are available throughout the entire class that declares them

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Defining a Constructor for a Class

• A constructor is code to create an object
• The syntax for a constructor is:

public ClassName(parameters) {
//code using parameters to set up initial state of object
}

• public means the constructor is accessible by any other program in the Java project
• ClassName has to be the same name as the class that the constructor occurs in
• The constructor parameters are a comma‐separated list of variable declarations

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Defining a Constructor for a Class

• Sample class definition with constructor:
public class ClassName {
// The fields (instance variables) of the object
String name; //declaration to store a String in the object,
defaults to null
double health; //declaration to store a double in the object
int age = 0; //declaration to store an int in the object, initially
set to 0
// The constructor for creating the object
public ClassName(parameters) {
//code using parameters to set up initial state of object
}
}

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Defining a Method in a Class

• A method is a function in an object that allows you to use and communicate with that object
• The syntax for a method is:

return‐type methodName(parameters) {
// locally defined variables
// code using parameters
}
• If a method is to return a result, return‐type is the data type of the result
‐ You must use a return statement to exit the method with a result of the correct type
• If a method doesn’t return a result, return‐type is void
‐ This indicates that a method doesn’t return a value
‐ In this case, you don’t need to use a return statement to exit the method

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Defining a Method in a Class

• Sample class definition with a method:
public class ClassName {
// The fields (instance variables) of the object
String name; //declaration to store a String in the object, defaults to null
double health; //declaration to store a double in the object
int age = 0; //declaration to store an int in the object, initially set to 0

// The constructor for creating the object

public ClassName(parameters) {
//code using parameters to set up initial state of object
}

// A method for communicating with the object

String getName(parameters) {
//returns value of “name” instance variable
//”this” refers to this instance of the class (ClassName)
return this.name;
}
}

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Creating an Instance of a Class

• To use a class, you create an instance of the object by calling its constructor and using the keyword
new
• Here’s syntax to define a class and to create an instance:

public class ClassName {

public ClassName(par1, … parN) {

//code using parameters to set up initial state of object
}

public static void main(String[] args) {

//create instance of ClassName
ClassName c = new ClassName(arg1, …, argN);
}
}
• new creates a new instance of the object

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Dog Project

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Dog Project
• In Eclipse, go to “File”  “New”  “Project”

• Provide a Project name

‐ Project names should be capitalized

‐ Use the default location

Use the default JRE and project layout

• Click “Next”

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Dog Project
• Define the compilation/build settings

• Make sure Create module‐info.java file

IS NOT checked

• Use the default output folder

• Click “Finish”

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Dog Class
• In Eclipse, go to “File”  “New”  “Class”
Provide a Package name
• ‐ Package names should not be capitalized

Provide a Class name

‐ Class names should be capitalized

Make sure public static void main(String[] args)

IS checked

Make sure Inherited abstract methods

IS NOT checked

Click “Finish”

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Dog Class
• The entry point of your Dog program is the main method

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Dog Class – Instance Variables

• Add javadocs to your classes, variables, and methods as you write your program
• Create some attributes (instance variables) for your Dog

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Dog Class – Instance Variables

• Add javadocs to your classes, variables, and methods as you write your program
• Create some attributes (instance variables) for your Dog
‐ The Owner data type doesn’t exist yet. We’ll create it as another class soon.

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Dog Class ‐ Constructor

• Create a constructor for your object
‐ Again, the Owner data type doesn’t exist yet.

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Owner Class
• Create a new class Owner
‐ This will represent a Dog owner

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Owner Class – Constructor & Methods

• Create a constructor for your object and other methods

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Dog Class ‐ Methods

• The eat method

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Dog Class ‐ Methods

• The haveBirthday method

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Dog Class ‐ Methods

• The bark method

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Dog Class ‐ Methods

• The getDogInfo method

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Dog Class ‐ Methods

• Other methods

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Dog Class – main Method

• Create instances of the Owner and Dog classes in your main method

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Dog Class – main Method

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Dog Class – main Method

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Dog Class – main Method

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Banking Project

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Banking Project
• In Eclipse, create a new “Banking” project
• Create 3 classes:
‐ Bank
‐ Provide the package name “banking”
‐ Make sure public static void main(String[] args) IS checked
‐ BankAccount
‐ Provide the package name “banking”
‐ Make sure public static void main(String[] args) IS NOT checked
‐ Customer
‐ Provide the package name “banking”
‐ Make sure public static void main(String[ ] args) IS NOT checked

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Bank Class

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BankAccount Class

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Customer Class

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Customer Class

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Customer Class

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BankAccount Class

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BankAccount Class

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BankAccount Class

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Bank Class

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Bank Class

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Bank Class

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Bank Class

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Bank Class

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