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WHAT IS JAVA Students Version

Java is a platform-independent programming language that runs on any system with the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) installed. It is object-oriented, meaning programs are composed of objects that have data (state) and behavior (methods). The Java API provides a library of classes and utility functions that enhance the functionality of Java programs.

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7 views4 pages

WHAT IS JAVA Students Version

Java is a platform-independent programming language that runs on any system with the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) installed. It is object-oriented, meaning programs are composed of objects that have data (state) and behavior (methods). The Java API provides a library of classes and utility functions that enhance the functionality of Java programs.

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caroldani369
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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BY: Andrés Felipe Lozano Arias

WHAT IS JAVA, AND WHY IS IT SO GREAT?


What are two differences between Java and other programming languages?

- Java is designed to be platform-independent thanks to the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), It


means Java run any system with JVM.
- Java has a built-in Garbage Collector that automatically removes things from memory
when they are no longer needed.
Text taken and adapted from: https://www.dummies.com/programming/java/what-is-java-and-why-is-it-so-great/

By Doug Lowe, Barry Burd

Java is a programming language in the tradition of C and C++. As a result, if you have any
experience with C or C++, you’ll find yourself in familiar territory often as you learn the
various features of Java.

However, Java is different from other programming languages in some ways. The following
sections describe the most important differences.

Platform independence
A. An explanation on why Java is popular for programmers. One of the main reasons Java is
so popular is its platform independence. This means that Java programs can be run on
many different types of computers. A Java program runs on any computer with a Java
Runtime Environment, also known as a JRE, installed. A JRE is available for almost every
type of computer — PCs running Windows, Macintosh computers, Unix or Linux
computers, huge mainframe computers, and even cell phones.

Object orientation
B. Examples of objects. Java is object-oriented, in other words Java programs are composed
of programming elements called objects. In brief, an object is a programming entity that
represents some real-world object or an abstract concept.
BY: Andrés Felipe Lozano Arias

__________________________________________________________________
All objects have two basic characteristics:

Objects have data, also known as state. For instance, an object that represents a book has
data such as the book’s title, author, and publisher.

Objects also have behavior, so that they can perform certain tasks. In Java, these tasks are
called methods. For example, an object that represents a car can have methods such as
start, stop, drive, or crash. Some methods simply allow you to access the object’s data. For
example, a book object can have a getTitle method that tells you the book’s title.

C. How to use classes. Classes are related to objects. A class is the program code you write
to create objects. The class describes the data and methods that define the object’s
state and behavior. Later, when the program executes, classes are used to create
objects.

As an illustration, suppose you’re writing a payroll program. This program needs objects
to represent the company’s employees. So, the program includes a class (probably named
Employee) that defines the data and methods for each Employee object. So, when your
program runs, it uses this class to create an object for each of your company’s employees.

The Java API


D. Describing the Java language. The Java language is very simple. Yet, Java comes with a
library of classes that provide commonly used utility functions that most Java
programs can’t work without. This class library is called the Java API. Admittedly, the real
challenge of learning how to use Java isn’t learning the language, it’s learning the API.
The Java language has only 50 keywords, but the Java API has several thousand classes
— with tens of thousands of methods you can use in your programs.

(Application Program Interface) (API)


A collection of prewritten packages, classes, and interfaces with thei
r respective methods, fields, and constructors).

WHILE YOU READ


1. Read the text again. Match the following headings with each paragraph A-D
BY: Andrés Felipe Lozano Arias

An explanation on why Java is popular for programmers A


Describing the Java language D
Examples of objects B
How to use classes C

2. AFTER YOU READ:

Reading for detail

Complete the sentences with words from the box.

a. C and C++ are examples of programming languages


b. It’s possible to run Java several types of computers
c. An abstract or real-world concept can be represented with objects
d. State is another name for data
e. Methods is the name for the behavior of objects
f. To describe the state and behavior of objects you need to create program codes called classes
g. The utility functions used in Java language can be found in the library of classes.
BY: Andrés Felipe Lozano Arias library of classes (G)
classes (F)
behavior of objects (E)

AFTER YOU READ: several types of computers (B)


programming languages (A)
Reading for detail objects (C)
data (D)
Complete the sentences with words from the box.

a. C and C++ are examples of programming languages


b. It’s possible to run Java on several types of computers
c. An abstract or real-world concept can be represented with objects
d. State is another name for data
e. Methods is the name for the behavior of objects
f. To describe the state and behavior of objects you need to create program codes called classes
g. The utility functions used in Java language can be found in the library of classes

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