Fall Semester 2009

1. Welcome to Java

   "In Java even the simplest program is a class..."

2. Installing and Using Java Tools

   We went here:

   http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/getStarted/cupojava/index.html

   This chapter indicates (as we did in class) that we have:

   a) the option to compile and run from the command line
   b) the option to use an IDE (BlueJ, DrJava, Eclipse...)

3. Working with TextPad

   One could use TextPad instead of Notepad or pico etc.

4. Using Eclipse

   Learning Eclipse has a very steep curve. BlueJ or DrJava are easier to start with.

So that's the end of the first book. Useful info, mostly reference.

1. Java Programming Basics

   Keywords, types, values, operators, expressions, variables, assignment statements etc.

   Object-oriented programming: a class is a container. It contains:

   a) static members
   b) a blueprint

   Classes don't need to be public all the time. If they are the file must bear their name.

   Let's take a look at HelloApp2.java and Greeter.java.

   You compile: javac HelloApp2.java which automatically compiles the other file.

   Then run the class with the main: java HelloApp2

   Now rewrite Greeter.java as follows. Then re-compile and run HelloApp2 again.

   Similar, but quite different, right? (But definitely similar. Except distinctly different, as well).

2. Working with Variables and Data Types

   Describe how this program works when compiled and run.

   Same question here.

   Example of using a Scanner.

   Getting input from a GUI element.

3. Working with Numbers and Expressions

   Compile and run this program. What does it do? How (does it work)?

   Same question for this program.

   Can you come up with a similar, useful variant of this program?

   What's the purpose of this program? What is there to learn from it?

   Same questions for this program, and for this one as well.

   This is not the easiest way of formatting, but it's the most powerful.

4. Making Choices

   Lots of useful things, no full program developed.

5. Loops

   This already uses material from the previous chapter, but on a higher level.

   Programs to look at, in order: EvenCounter, Duodecaphobia, CountForever.

   New version of Duodecaphobia, followed NumberPhobia, NumberPhobia2, Duodecaphobia2.

   Now start with EvenCounter2, then look at GetABet, GetABet2 and GetABet3.

   Next we look at CountToTen, CountToTenError, CountToTenErrorFixed and ForEvenCounter.

   New group includes: CountDown, LaunchControl, TerseCoder, CountBothWays and ExpressionGanging.

   We end with ForDuodecaphobia, ForDuodecaphobia2, NestedLoop, and the GuessingGame.

6. Using the Switch Statement

   Here's VoterApp, and its variant VoterApp2.

   Here's CarWashApp with the variant CarWashApp2.

7. Methods

   Simple example: HelloWorldMethod. Have we seen this before?

   When we say "function" we usually mean return type: example.

   Now here's a rewrite of an earlier program. And another. Can you explain the difference?

   Two more examples: ParameterScope and ChangeParameters. And then: another rewrite.

   Conclusions.

8. Handling Exceptions

   Read the chapter for all the details (though we need just a basic idea).

   Programs: DivideByZero, GetInteger, GetInteger2 introduce the topic.

   Also: CrazyWithZeros, FileException2 and MyException.

1. Understanding Object-Oriented Programming

   A lot of the things we discussed in class are being described here.

2. Making Your Own Classes: basic template.

   Basic example: what's the benefit? Why does this not compile?

   Why doesn't this compile? How can you fix it?

   Does this change anything? What else is to say about it?

   How does this work? Does it compile? Discuss, fix, etc.

   How about this? How can you demonstrate what it does and how?

   Why is this wrong? How is this different?

3. Working with Statics

   Have we seen this before? What is the Singleton pattern?

   What is this? How can you illustrate what it does in an example?

4. Using Subclasses and Inheritance

   What's new in this? Does this show constructor chaining? How about this? (Older review.)

   What's this for? What makes this better? What's the use of this?

5. Using Abstract Classes and Interfaces

   What does this program illustrate? What's the difference between an abstract class and an interface?

6. Using the Object and Class Classes

   Skip this chapter. But what do we know about this example?

   Likewise, what does this tell us? Does something like this occur in sorting objects?

7. Using Inner Classes

   Skip this chapter. Although it would be good to see why inner classes were invented.

   Inner classes can even be anonymous.

8. Packaging and Documenting Your Classes

   Skip this chapter. Although you could learn how to create a .jar file etc.

1. Working with Strings

   What does this program illustrate. Same question for this. And again for this.

2. Using Arrays

   Describe how this program works.

   A fun but complicated example. What does it show, how does it work?

   There are utilities we need to know about. Explain what and why.

3. Using the ArrayList Class

   Small fragments of code explaining how to use it.

   Read it, remember our Game/Player/Deck/Card example.

   The Deck was a subclass of ArrayList<Card> in that one.

4. Using the LinkedList Class You can skip this chapter.

5. Creating Generic Collection Classes

   You can skip this chapter, too. But final question:

   How do you sort an ArrayList of Circles, Rectangles and Triangles (by area)?

1. Programming Threads

   You can skip this chapter.

2. Network Programming

   You can skip this chapter.

   Here's an old network programming tutorial for A202:

   http://www.cs.indiana.edu/classes/a202-dger/sum99/lectures/lecture14.html

   I have other easy tutorials on various networking approaches in Java. Won't be discussing them here though.

3. Using Regular Expressions

   I'd say: skip this chapter. But it's worth looking at some of the programs.

4. Using Recursion

   Skip this chapter. But take a look at this program. Interesting, right?