Object Oriented Programming – Java Unit 2

Unit 2 Java Basics

Structure:
2.1 Introduction
Objectives
2.2 Keywords
2.3 Working of Java
2.4 Including Comments
2.5 Data Types in Java
Primitives Data Types
Abstract / Derived Data Types
2.6 Variables in Java
2.7 Using Classes in Java
2.8 Declaring Methods in Java
2.9 Code to Display Test Value
2.10 The main() Method
2.11 Invoking a Method in Java
2.12 Java Generics
Generic Methods
Generic Classes
2.13 Saving, Compiling and Executing a Java Programs Saving
2.14 Summary
2.15 Terminal Questions
2.16 Answers

2.1 Introduction
In the last unit, we have discussed various features of Java. In this unit, we
will discuss the basic programming structure in Java. Before that we all
know that the English language has a vocabulary – a set of words that have
certain meaning. It also provides us with rules for using the vocabulary –
English grammar. The Java language also provides a vocabulary and a set
of rules to use the vocabulary. The vocabulary is represented through a set
of keywords and the grammar is the syntax of the language.
This unit explains how to write object-oriented program using the Java
language syntax.

Objectives:
After studying this unit, you should be able to:
 list the keywords significant to Java compiler

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Object Oriented Programming – Java Unit 2
 explain the working of Java
 describe different data types in Java
 explain the variables and their naming in Java
 use classes and coding standards in Java
 discuss declaring methods in Java
 use code to display test value
 discuss the main methods with its rules
 describe invoking a method in Java
 save, compile and execute a Java program

2.2 Keywords
Keywords are special words that are of significance to the Java compiler.
Currently JAVA language have 50 keywords (see Table 2.1). The Java
language is defined by these keywords combined with operators and
separators. Keywords cannot be used as variable, class, or method names.

Table 2.1: Java Reserved Keywords

abstract Boolean break byte case
catch Char class const continue
default Do double else extends
final Finally float for goto
if Implements import instanceof int
interface Long native new package
private Protected public return short
static Strictfp super switch synchronized
this Throw throws transient try
void Volatile while assert enum

The const and goto are reserved keywords but these are not used. In
addition to the above keywords Java also reserves the following: true, false,
and null.

2.3 Working of Java

The compiler converts the given program in Java into an intermediate
language representation called bytecode. It is platform independent. A Java
file will have the extension .java, similar to a word file having the
extension .doc, a Pascal file having the extension .pas and a text file having
the extension .txt.
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Object Oriented Programming – Java Unit 2
Let us assume that there exists a Java file named Hello.java. When this file
is complied we get a file called as Hello.class.
This class file is run using an interpreter as and when necessary. The
Figure 2.1 shows the java program saved as Hello.java.

Figure 2.1: A Sample Java Program

The steps for compiling and running the program are shown in Figure 2.2.
The program is stored in a subdirectory called java. The above program
prints “Hello! How are you? “

Figure 2.2: Compiling and Executing

The concept of “write once, run anywhere” is possible in Java. The Java
program can be compiled on any platform having a Java compiler. The
resulting bytecode can then be run on Window NT or Solaris or Macintosh
or any other machine. The machine should have a Java platform to run Java
code. The platform for Java have Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and a
package of ready made software components. This package is known as

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Object Oriented Programming – Java Unit 2
Java Application Programming Interface (Java API). Any machine
having JVM (Java Virtual Machine) can run the compiled Java codes.
Self Assessment Questions
1. The JAVA program converted into an intermediate language
representation by a compiler is called ____________.
2. The concept of _________________ is possible in Java.

2.4 Including Comments

Comments can be included in a Java program as follows:
Type 1
/* Comments go here
More comments here
*/
Type 2
// This information is ignored by the compiler till the end of the line
Type 3
/* Documentation comment */
In the first type comments can spread over multiple lines. In Type 2 compiler
ignores any instruction written after the symbol //. It is used for writing single
line comments. In Type 3 Javadoc tool uses the comment to automatic
generate documentation.
Self Assessment Questions
3. The Type 3 comments are used for automatic generation of
documentation by a tool called _________ .

2.5 Data Types in Java

In JAVA there are two different types of datatypes as mentioned below:
 Primitive / Standard data types.
 Abstract / Derived data types.
2.5.1 Primitives Data Types
Primitive data types are inbuilt in Java language. It is also called standard
data types. Detailed instructions on each legal operation that the data type
can support are contained in a compiler. There are eight primitive data types
in Java (see Table 2.2).

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Object Oriented Programming – Java Unit 2
Table 2.2: Primitive / Standard Data Types
Size/Format
Data Type Description Range
(bits)
byte 8 Byte length integer -128 to 128 (for signed)
0 to 255 (for unsigned)
15 15
short 16 Short integer -2 to 2 -1
31 31
int 32 Integer -2 to 2 -1
63 63
long 64 Long integer -2 to 2 -1
39
float 32 Single precision +/- about 10
floating point
317
double 64 Double precision +/- about 10
floating point
char 16 A single character Any single character
boolean 1 A boolean value true or false

The byte, int, short, float, long and double are numeric data types. The first
four of these can hold only whole numbers whereas the last two (float and
double) can hold decimal values like 5.05. All these data types can hold
negative values. However, the keyword unsigned can be used to restrict
the range of values to positive numbers. Amongst others, boolean can hold
only the value true or false and char can hold only a single character.
2.5.2 Abstract / Derived Data Types
Based on primitive data types, the Abstract Datatypes have more
functionality in comparison primitive data types. An example of Abstract
datatypes is String, it can store digits, alphabets and special characters
such as /, (); :$#. Normal numerical operations cannot be performed on a
variable of String datatype even if the data stored in it has digits.
Self Assessment Questions
4. String is a ___________ data type in Java.

2.6 Variables in Java

Since school days you have learned in mathematics about variables and
constant. You have often used x and y to store values in an expression
which were not constant and then there were some value like that of pi
which were constant throughout. Java also allows to declare variables in
program to perform calculation and store values.
When variables and constants are declared in Java it is assigned some
memory. Like mathematics variables values may change but constant value

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Object Oriented Programming – Java Unit 2
remains same for the entire program. Unique names are to be assigned for
the variables following the instruction for variable declaration in Java. It
follows the similar convention that we followed for declaring variables name
in mathematics.
The variables we are required to use in our program need to be declared
before using it. The datatypes of the variables must be precisely defined.
The type declaration helps the compiler to identify what kind of values the
variable will store. For example, if we declare any datatype as integer it will
contain only integer values. If a variable is declared as float it will contain
only floating values.
Naming Variables
There are set of rules for naming a variable in Java. The rules are
mentioned below and it must be followed while choosing a variable name.
Rules for Naming Variables in Java
A variable name:
 Keyword cannot be a variable name in Java.
 Variable can be alphanumeric but must not begin with a numeric value
(number). It must always begin with an alphabet.
 There must not be spaces in a variable name.
 It may contain alphabets from other languages too like Japanese, greek,
etc.
Syntax for Defining Variables
All the attributes of a class are defined as data members. The syntax for
declaring a class variable is:
<data_type> <variable_name>;
As the brackets “{ }” are used to mark the beginning and end of a class, a
semicolon “;” is used to mark the end of a statement.
Self Assessment Questions
5. Keywords can be used as a variable name. True or False.

2.7 Using Classes in Java

In Java the body of the class is contained with the curly brackets {}. The
body contains the methods and function. The opening bracket { marks the
beginning of the class body and the closing bracket } denotes the end of the
class.

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Object Oriented Programming – Java Unit 2
Any program that you write in Java can be written using a simple text editor.
We will use Windows Notepad for writing programs.
Example:
class Employee
{
}

Standard for Coding

Following coding standards and conventions you can write codes in Java
that are easy in understanding.
One of the conventions is indentation. Notice that the code written below
clearly indicates the data members defined in the class.
Example:
class Employee
{
String employeeName;
String employeeAddress;
}

2.8 Declaring Methods in Java

The syntax for declaring a method in Java is as follows:
<access_specifier><return_type><method_name> ([argument_list])
{
}
access_specifier
An access specifier states where you can access a method. A public
specifier allows the method to be executed from another class. A private
provides access to methods for only the current class.
return_type
The return_type of a method is the data type of the value that is returned by
the method.
Example:
public void displayEmpName(); // returns no value, therefore, the return
// type of the method is void.

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Object Oriented Programming – Java Unit 2
public float calculateAllowance(); // returns a value of float data type
// therefore, the return type of the method
// is float
Self Assessment Questions
6. A ____________ access specifier allows the method to be executed
from another class.

2.9 Code to Display Test Value

The System class
To communicate with the computer, a program needs to use certain system
resources such as the display device and the keyboard.
Java makes use of all these resources with the help of a class called
System, which contains all the methods that are required to work with these
resources.
System is one of the most important and useful classes provided by Java. It
provides a standard interface to common system resources like the display
device and the keyboard.
The out Object
It is an object encapsulated inside the System class, and represents the
standard output device. This object contains the println () method.
The println() method
The println() method displays the data on the screen.
Example:
System.out.println(“Hello World”);
The above statement will display “Hello World” on the screen.

2.10 The main() Method

In a Java application, you may have many classes. Within those classes,
you may have many methods. The method that you need to execute first
should be the main() method.
Syntax for the main() method:
public static void main(String args[])
{
}
The main () method should exist in a class that is declared as public.

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Object Oriented Programming – Java Unit 2
Rules for the main () method:
 The primary name of the file in which the code is written, and the name
of the class that has the main() method should be exactly the same.
 If you try to execute a Java application that does not have a main ()
method, the following error message will be printed:
Exception in thread “main” Java.lang.NoSuchMethodError: main

2.11 Invoking a Method in Java

Creating an Object of a class
The new operator is used to create a class object.
Example:
Employee emp = new Employee ();
Invoking a Method
To invoke a method, the method name must be followed by parentheses
and a semicolon. One method of a class can invoke another method of the
same class using the name of the method.
Example:
class Employee
{
String employeeName;
String employeeAddress;
public Employee()
{
employeeName=”Bala”;
employeeAddress = “Manipal“;
}
public void display()
{
System.out.println (“Name: “+employeeName);
System.out.println(“Address: “+employeeAddress);
}
public static void main(String args[])
{
Employee emp =new Employee();
emp.display ();
}
}

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Object Oriented Programming – Java Unit 2
2.12 Java Generics
Java Generics helps programmers to write a single method or class that can
be used with different related methods or related class types respectively.
It provides compile – time safety by allowing programmers to find invalid
types during compile time. For an instance using Generics concept we can
write a method for sorting an array of objects and then use the generic
method to sort an Integer array, string array and so on.
2.12.1 Generic Methods
A generic method declaration can be called with different types of
arguments. The compiler based on the types of arguments passed to the
generic classes handles the method to be called appropriately. Following
set of rules defines a Generic Methods:
 In every generic method you have a type parameter section which is
delimited by angle brackets (< and >) and it precedes the method’s
return type declaration.
 Type parameter section contains one or more type parameters as
shown in the example which are separated using commas. These type
parameters are also called type variable and is used as an identifier to
specify a generic type.
 Type parameters can also be used to declare the return type. It acts as
placeholders for the argument types passed to a generic method, also
called actual type arguments.
 A generic method’s body is declared like other method’s body, however
the type parameters can only represent reference types and not
primitive data types.
Example:
public class GenericMethodTest
{
// generic method printArray
public static < E > void printArray( E[] inputArray )
{
// Display array elements
for ( E element : inputArray ){
System.out.printf( "%s ", element );
}
System.out.println();
}
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Object Oriented Programming – Java Unit 2
public static void main( String args[] )
{
// Create arrays of Integer, Double and Character
Integer[] intArray = { 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 };
Double[] doubleArray = { 1.1, 2.2, 3.3, 4.4 };
Character[] charArray = { 'H', 'E', 'L', 'L', 'O' };
System.out.println( "Array integerArray contains:" );
printArray( intArray ); // pass an Integer array

System.out.println( "\nArray doubleArray contains:" );

printArray( doubleArray ); // pass a Double array

System.out.println( "\nArray characterArray contains:" );

printArray( charArray ); // pass a Character array
}
}
Output:
Compiling the source code....
$javac GenericMethodTest.java 2>&1
Executing the program....
$java -Xmx128M -Xms16M GenericMethodTest
Array integerArray contains:
100 200 300 400 500
Array doubleArray contains:
1.1 2.2 3.3 4.4
Array characterArray contains:
HELLOWORLD

2.12.2 Generic Classes

A generic class declaration is similar to non-generic class declaration but
like generic method here the class name is followed by type parameter
section.
Similar to generic methods the type parameter section of a generic class
can also have one or more type parameters which are separated commas.
Generic classes are also called parameterized classes or parameterized
types as they accept one or more parameters.

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Object Oriented Programming – Java Unit 2
Example
public class Box<T> {
private T t;
public void add(T t) {
this.t = t;
}
public T get() {
return t;
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
Box<Integer> integerBox = new Box<Integer>();
Box<String> stringBox = new Box<String>();
integerBox.add(new Integer(10));
stringBox.add(new String("Hello World"));

System.out.printf("Integer Value :%d\n\n", integerBox.get());

System.out.printf("String Value :%s\n", stringBox.get());
}
}

Output:
Compiling the source code....
$javac Box.java 2>&1

Executing the program....

$java -Xmx128M -Xms16M Box
Integer Value :10

String Value :Hello World

Self Assessment Questions:
7. _____________ operator is used to create an object.

2.13 Saving, Compiling and Executing a Java Programs Saving

The programs that you write in Java should be saved in a file, which has the
following name format:
<class_name>.java
Compiling

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Object Oriented Programming – Java Unit 2
A program is a set of instructions. In order to execute a program, the
operating system needs to understand the language. The only language an
operating system understands is in terms of 0’s and 1’s i.e. the binary
language. Programs written in language such as C and C++ are converted
to binary code during the compilation process. However, that binary code
can be understood only by the operating system for which the program is
compiled. This makes the program or application as operating system
dependent.
In Java, the program is compiled into bytecode (.class file) that run on the
Java Virtual Machine, which can interpret and run the program on any
operating system. This makes Java programs platform-independent.
At the command prompt, type
javac <filename>.java
to compile the Java program.
Executing
When the code is compiled and error-free, the program can be executed
using the command:
java <class filename>

Self Assessment Questions

8. _____________ is the extension for Java source code files.
9. _____ command is used to compile the Java source code.
10. _____ command is used to execute the Java class file.

2.14 Summary
In this unit, you have learnt the following:
 Creating Classes Using Java
The data members and methods of a class are defined inside the class
body. In Java, brackets {} mark the beginning and end of a class or
method. The class keyword is used to declare a class.
 Coding Methods of a Class
Methods provide functionality to classes. In Java, methods are declared
in the class body.
 Declaring Objects
The new operator is used to create a class object.

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Object Oriented Programming – Java Unit 2
 Displaying Data on Screen
The System class is one of the most important and useful classes
provided by Java. It provides a standard interface to common system
resources like the display device and the keyboard. The println()
method displays the data on the screen.
 Compiling a Java Program
In Java, the program is compiled into bytecode (.class file) that runs on
the Java Virtual Machine, which can interpret and run the program on
any operating system. This makes Java programs platform-independent.
 Java Generics
An introduction to Java Generics methods and class. Usage of type
parameters. Using generics same methods and class can be used for
similar types of methods or class types respectively.
 Executing a Java Program
When the code is compiled and error-free, the program can be executed
by issuing the following command:
java <class filename>

2.15 Terminal Questions

1. The candidate class for the employee referral process has the following
attributes and behaviors:
Candidate

candidateName
candidateAddress
candidateCourse

displayDetails()

Create the candidate class with its attribute and methods.

2. What do you mean by the statement :
System.out.println(“ “);
3. How do you compile a Java program?
4. How do you execute a Java program?

2.16 Answers
Self Assessment Questions
1. bytecode
2. write once, run anywhere

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Object Oriented Programming – Java Unit 2
3. javadoc
4. abstract / derived
5. false
6. public
7. new
8. .java
9. Javac
10. java
Terminal Questions
1. class Candidate
{
String candidateName;
String candidateAddress;
String candidateCourse;

public Candidate()
{
candidateName=”Arun”;
candidateAddress=”Manipal”;
candidateCourse=”BScIT”;
}

public void displayDetails()

{
System.out.println(“Name: “+candidateName);
System.out.println(“Address: “+candidateAddress);
System.out.println(“Course: “+candidateCourse);
}
} (Refer section 2.11)
2. System.out.println(“ “); will print a blank line. (Refer section 2.9)
3. Java programs are compiled using the command javac.
(Refer section 2.12)
4. Java class files are executed using the command java.
(Refer section 2.12)

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