Core Java

LECTURE 1 NOTES

Introduction to Java Programming

● Overview of Java Programming

▪ Java is a widely used programming language that was developed by Sun

Microsystems (now owned by Oracle) in the mid-1990s. It is known for its simplicity,
versatility, and platform independence, making it one of the most popular choices for
building a wide range of applications. Java programs are typically compiled into
bytecode, which can then be executed on any device that has a Java Virtual Machine
(JVM) installed, regardless of the underlying hardware and operating system.
▪ One of the key features of Java is its object-oriented programming (OOP) paradigm. It
allows developers to create modular and reusable code by organizing functionality
into objects, which are instances of classes. This promotes code maintainability,
scalability, and code reuse, making it easier to build complex applications. Java also
supports the concepts of inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation, which
further enhance code organization and modularity.
▪ Java provides a vast standard library that includes a wide range of classes and
methods for performing common tasks, such as input/output operations, networking,
database access, and graphical user interface (GUI) development. This
comprehensive library reduces the need for developers to write code from scratch
and enables them to focus on implementing the specific logic of their applications.
▪ Another notable aspect of Java is its robustness. It incorporates features such as
automatic memory management through garbage collection, exception handling, and
strict type checking, which contribute to the prevention and detection of errors during
the execution of programs. This helps developers build reliable and stable software
that can handle unexpected situations gracefully.
▪ Java has gained immense popularity in the enterprise world due to its strong support
for building scalable and secure server-side applications. Java Enterprise Edition (Java
EE), now known as Jakarta EE, provides a set of APIs and specifications for developing
enterprise-grade applications, including web services, messaging systems, and
distributed computing. The Java EE platform offers features such as
container-managed transactions, security, and scalability, making it suitable for
building large-scale, mission-critical systems.
▪ Furthermore, Java has a vibrant and active community, which contributes to its
continued evolution and growth. The community develops numerous open-source
libraries and frameworks that enhance Java's capabilities and simplify application
development. Popular frameworks such as Spring and Hibernate provide powerful
tools for building enterprise applications and working with databases, while
frameworks such as JavaFX facilitate the creation of rich desktop and mobile
applications.
▪ In recent years, Java has also made significant strides in the world of mobile app
development. With the introduction of Android, a Java-based mobile operating system,
developers can leverage their Java skills to build applications for the vast Android
 user base.
▪ Overall, Java's combination of simplicity, versatility, platform independence, and
robustness has made it a preferred choice for a wide range of software development
projects. Whether you're building desktop applications, web applications, server-side
systems, or mobile apps, Java provides the tools and features necessary to bring your
ideas to life.

● Java Development Environment Setup

■ Before discussing this topic, it is essential to understand Java architecture in detail.

■ Java architecture refers to the overall structure and components of the Java
platform. It encompasses the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), Java Development Kit (JDK),
Java Runtime Environment (JRE), and various application programming interfaces
(APIs) and libraries. Here's a detailed explanation of the Java architecture:

■ Java Development Kit (JDK):

○ The JDK is a software development kit that includes tools and utilities
necessary for Java development. It contains the Java compiler (javac), which
translates Java source code into bytecode.

○ The JDK also provides other tools such as the Java Virtual Machine (JVM),
debugger (jdb), documentation generator (javadoc), and various utilities for
packaging and deploying Java applications.

■ Java Runtime Environment (JRE):

○ The JRE is a runtime environment that allows the execution of Java

applications.

○ It includes the JVM, libraries, and other necessary files for running Java
programs.

○ The JRE does not contain the development tools present in the JDK. It is
primarily used by end-users to run Java applications without the need for
compiling or modifying the code.

■ Java Virtual Machine (JVM):

○ The JVM is a crucial component of the Java architecture. It is an abstract

computing machine that provides the runtime environment for executing
Java bytecode.

○ The JVM interprets the bytecode generated by the Java compiler and
translates it into machine-specific instructions that the host operating
 system and hardware can understand.

○ The JVM also handles memory management, garbage collection, and

exception handling during program execution, ensuring the security and
stability of Java applications

■ Java API and Libraries:

○ The Java platform provides a vast collection of APIs and libraries, which are
pre-built classes and interfaces that simplify and accelerate the
development process.

○ The Java API (Application Programming Interface) is a collection of classes

and interfaces that provide a wide range of functionalities, such as file
input/output, networking, user interface components, database
connectivity, and more.

○ Java libraries, such as the Java Standard Library and third-party libraries,
extend the functionality of the Java platform and offer additional
capabilities for specific application domains, such as web development,
data processing, and scientific computing.

■ Application Deployment:

○ Java applications can be deployed in various ways. They can be packaged as

executable JAR (Java Archive) files or as web applications (WAR) for
deployment on Java-enabled web servers.

○ For enterprise applications, the Java Enterprise Edition (Java EE) platform
provides specifications and APIs for building scalable, distributed, and
robust applications. It includes features like servlets, JavaServer Pages
(JSP), Enterprise JavaBeans (EJB), and Java Persistence API (JPA).

■ Platform Independence:

○ One of the key advantages of Java is its platform independence. Java

programs are compiled into bytecode, which is platform-neutral and can be
executed on any system with a compatible JVM installed.

○ This ‘write once, run anywhere’ capability enables Java applications to run
on various operating systems, such as Windows, macOS, Linux, and
different hardware architectures, without the need for recompilation.

Overall, the Java architecture provides a robust and versatile platform for developing
and executing Java applications. The combination of the JVM, JDK, JRE, APIs, and
libraries empowers developers to create a wide range of applications, from small
desktop utilities to large-scale enterprise systems, while ensuring portability,
 security, and performance.

Now we can discuss the Java development environment setup.

Setting up a Java development environment involves a few key steps to ensure that
you have all the necessary tools and configurations in place. Here's an overview of the
process:

▪ Install Java Development Kit (JDK):

○ The JDK includes the Java compiler (javac) and other essential tools needed
for Java development.
○ Visit the Oracle website or the OpenJDK website to download the appropriate
JDK distribution for your operating system.
○ Follow the installation instructions provided and make sure to set the
necessary environment variables (such as JAVA_HOME) to point to the JDK
installation directory.
▪ Choose an Integrated Development Environment (IDE):
○ While not strictly required, an IDE can greatly enhance your Java
development experience by providing features such as code completion,
debugging tools, and project management capabilities.
○ Popular Java IDEs include Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA, and NetBeans. Download and
install the IDE of your choice, ensuring compatibility with your JDK version.
▪ Configure the IDE:
○ Once the IDE is installed, you may need to configure it to use the JDK you
installed in the previous step.
○ Navigate to the IDE's settings/preferences and specify the JDK path in the
appropriate configuration section. This ensures that the IDE uses the correct
Java version for compiling and running your code.
▪ Create a Java project
○ In your IDE, create a new Java project. This step varies depending on the IDE
you're using, but typically involves selecting the project type (for example,
Java application, web application), providing a project name and location, and
setting up any additional project-specific configurations.
▪ Write Java code
○ With the project set up, you can start writing Java code. In your IDE, create a
new Java class or package and begin coding your application logic.
○ The IDE's features, such as code completion and syntax highlighting, will
help you to write code more efficiently.
▪ Build and run the application
○ After writing the code, you can build and run your Java application. The IDE
typically provides options to build the project, which compiles your Java
source files into bytecode.
○ Once the build is successful, you can run the application either within the
IDE's built-in runtime environment or by generating an executable file (JAR or
WAR) that can be run independently.
▪ Debugging and testing
○ IDEs offer debugging tools that allow you to step through your code, set
breakpoints, and inspect variables to identify and resolve issues.
○ Additionally, you can write unit tests using frameworks like JUnit to ensure
the correctness of your code and facilitate automated testing
● Running my first Java program

■ Running your first Java program involves a few essential steps to compile and execute
your code. Here's an overview of the process:

▪ Install Java Development Kit (JDK)

○ Before running any Java program, you need to install the JDK on your system.
The JDK includes the Java compiler (javac) and the Java Runtime Environment
(JRE), which is necessary to execute Java applications.
○ Visit the Oracle website or the OpenJDK website to download the appropriate
JDK distribution for your operating system. Follow the installation instructions
provided.

▪ Write your Java code

○ Use a text editor or an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) to write your
Java program.
○ Start by creating a new file with a .java extension (for example,
MyFirstProgram.java). In this file, you'll write the Java code that constitutes
your program.
▪ Structure of a Java program
○ Every Java program consists of one or more classes. At least one of these
classes must have a special method called ‘main’ which serves as the entry
point for the program.
○ The main method is where the program execution begins. It has a specific
signature: public static void main(String[] args). This method is where you'll
write the instructions that define the behavior of your program.
▪ Write your program logic
○ Within the main method, write the code that performs the desired actions of
your program.
○ This can include calculations, printing messages to the console, interacting
with the user, and more. This is the core logic of your program
▪ Save the Java file
○ Once you have written your Java code, save the file with the .java extension in
a directory of your choice.
▪ Compile the Java code
○ Open a command prompt or terminal window and navigate to the directory
where you saved your Java file.
○ Use the javac command followed by the name of your Java file to compile it.
For example, javac MyFirstProgram.java. If there are no errors in your code,
this will generate a compiled bytecode file with a .class extension.
▪ Run the Java program
○ After successfully compiling your Java code, you can execute it using the
 java command followed by the name of the class that contains the main
method. For example, java MyFirstProgram.
○ The Java Virtual Machine (JVM) will load and run your bytecode, executing
the instructions you wrote in the main method.
▪ Observe the program output
○ If your program includes output statements, such as printing messages to
the console using System.out.println(), you will see the output displayed in
the command prompt or terminal window.
▪ Troubleshooting and debugging
○ If your program encounters any errors or issues during execution, you can
use error messages and debugging techniques to identify and fix the
problems.
○ The error messages will provide information about the nature of the issue,
such as syntax errors or runtime exceptions.
○ You can make the necessary adjustments to your code and repeat the
compilation and execution steps until your program runs as intended.

Here's an example of a simple Java program that prints ‘Hello, World!’ to the
console:

public class HelloWorld {

public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println("Hello World!");
}
}

Output:
Hello World

● Understanding the basics of Java programming

■ The basics of Java programming encompass the fundamental concepts, syntax, and
features that form the foundation of the Java language. Here's a detailed explanation
of the key aspects of Java programming:

▪ Structure of a Java Program

 ○ Classes: Java programs are composed of one or more classes. A class is a blueprint
or template that defines the properties (attributes) and behaviors (methods) of
objects created from it.

○ Methods: Methods are blocks of code that perform specific actions or tasks. They
are defined within a class and can be invoked or called to execute their defined
functionality.

○ Main Method: Every Java program must have a main method, which serves as the
entry point of the program. It has the following signature: public static void
main(String[] args). The main method is where the program execution begins.

■ Variables and Data Types

○ Variables: In Java, variables are used to store and manipulate data. Before using a
variable, you need to declare it with a specific data type, such as int, double, String,
etc. Variables can hold different values during program execution.

○ Data Types: Java provides several built-in data types, including numeric types (int,
double, etc.), boolean for representing true/false values, characters (char), and
Strings for representing sequences of characters. Java also supports user-defined
data types through classes.
■ Operators:

○ Arithmetic Operators: Java supports basic arithmetic operators such as addition

(+), subtraction (-), multiplication (*), division (/), and modulus (%).

○ Assignment Operators: Assignment operators are used to assign values to

variables, such as the = operator.

○ Comparison Operators: Comparison operators compare two values and return a

boolean result, such as == (equal to), != (not equal to), > (greater than), < (less than),
etc.

○ Logical Operators: Logical operators perform logical operations on boolean values,

such as && (logical AND), || (logical OR), and ! (logical NOT).

■ Control Flow:

○ Conditional Statements: Java provides if-else statements and switch statements

for implementing conditional logic. The if-else statement allows you to execute
different blocks of code based on certain conditions. The switch statement
provides a concise way to evaluate multiple conditions and execute different code
blocks accordingly.
■ Loops: Java offers different types of loops to repeat a block of code:
○ The for loop repeats a block of code a specific number of times.
○ The while loop repeats a block of code as long as a condition is true.
○ The do-while loop is similar to the while loop, but it executes the block of code at
least once before checking the condition.

■ Arrays:
○ Arrays are used to store multiple values of the same type in a single variable. They
have a fixed size and are accessed using an index starting from 0. Arrays can be
declared, initialized, and accessed to retrieve or modify values.

■ Object-Oriented Programming (OOP):

○ Classes and Objects: Java is an object-oriented language, meaning it emphasizes

the use of objects and classes. A class is a blueprint or template for creating
objects, while an object is an instance of a class.

○ Encapsulation: Encapsulation refers to bundling data and methods together within

a class and controlling access to them using access modifiers (e.g., public, private,
protected).

○ Inheritance: Inheritance allows a class (subclass) to inherit properties and

behaviors from another class (superclass). It promotes code reuse and supports the
"is-a" relationship.

○ Polymorphism: Polymorphism allows objects of different classes to be treated as

objects of a common superclass. It enables method overriding, method
overloading, and facilitating flexibility.