ICS45J Sample Exam Questions

To help you study for the midterm and final, here are some questions from previous
exams I gave in Java programming courses I've taught. (Since this is the first time this
course is being offered, I have no "old" ICS 45J exams questions to share.) These
questions are not necessarily all-inclusive of the subject matter. There may be questions
on the actual exams asking about material that no question here asks about. Likewise,
there will be questions here that do not pertain to the particular test for which you may
be studying--for example, if you are getting ready for the midterm, you will find
questions here about material that will be covered by the final; just ignore those
questions for the present but, of course, don't ignore them when studying for the final!
For all program fragments, assume any necessary imports are present, and that the
fragments are a part of an otherwise perfect program.
1. Which of these statements about constructors is false?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

A constructor has no return type

Its name must be the same as the class in which it is defined
There must be exactly one constructor defined for a class
Constructors are almost always declared as public
They can appear anywhere in the class where it is legal to declare a method

2. When does Java know an object is no longer needed? And what happens to
an unneeded object's storage?
A. The programmer tells Java when an object is no longer needed by calling
dispose() on it; the object's memory is released back to the memory pool.
B. If there are no references to the object, Java knows the object is no longer
needed and automatically returns its memory to the memory pool.
C. If there are no references to the object, Java marks it as no longer needed; the
memory stays in use until the programmer explicitly returns it to the memory
pool.
D. Objects, once constructed, stay active until the program terminates, so though
the programmer may know an object is it no longer needed, Java does not
know this; objects' memory is returned to the memory pool when the
program terminates.
E. Objects, once constructed, stay active until the method in which they were
constructed terminates, so though the programmer may know an object is no
longer needed, Java does not know this; objects' memory is returned to the
memory pool when the method terminates.

3. Which of the following Java statements set even to true if n is even, and to
false if n is odd? (n is an integer.) Assume n >= 0. (Even numbers are those
integers which, when divided by 2, have a remainder of 0.)
I.
II.
III.
IV.

boolean
boolean
boolean
boolean

even
even
even
even

A. I only
B. I and II only
C. II and III only

=
=
=
=

(n/2.0
(n % 2
(n div
(n % 2

== (double)(n/2));
== 0);
2 == 0);
== n/2);

D. III and IV only

E. I, II and IV only

4. Which of the following expressions is equivalent to the boolean expression

!(A < 5 && B != C)

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
5.

A > 5 || B != C
A >= 5 && B == C
!(A < 5) || (B != C)
A >= 5 || B == C
A < 5 && B == C

What is the output of this program fragment? Read it carefully!

String greet = "Hi";
String name = "Smedley";
String nickName = name.substring(0,4);
if (nickName == name.substring(0,4));
System.out.println("has real nickname");
else if (greet + name == greet + nickName)
System.out.println("no real nickname");
else
System.out.println("hmmm...changed names?");

A.
B.
C.
D.

has real nickname

no real nickname
hmmm...changed names?

it's one of the three lines given in A, B, and C above, we can't tell which one
without running the program
E. none, because there is at least one compile-time error

-2-

When answering the next 5 questions, consider this code fragment:

int sum = 0;
int i = 0;
while (i < 5)
{
sum = sum + i;
i++;
}
System.out.print(i);
System.out.print(" ");
System.out.print(sum);

6. What is the value of i when System.out.print(i) is executed?

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

6
5
4
3
unpredictable, since i is local to the loop

7. What is the value of sum when System.out.print(sum) is executed?

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

6
10
15
21
unpredictable, since sum is dependent upon a variable local to the loop

8. The fragment executes more times through the loop than is necessary. What
change to the fragment can be made that removes the unneeded passes through
the loop and doesnt change the values of i and sum that are printed out?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

initialize sum to 1, rather than 0

initialize i to 1, rather than 0
make the while loop boolean (i <= 4), instead of (i < 5)
make the while loop boolean (i < 4), instead of (i < 5)
place the statement i++; before sum = sum + i; (rather than after it)

-3-

9. Suppose we replace the while loop in the fragment above with a do loop.
Which of the following do loops will result in the same value of Sum printing out?
A.

C.

do
{

do
{

i++;
sum = sum + i;

sum = sum + i;
i++;

}
while (i <= 5);

B.

}
while (i < 5);

D.

do
{

do
{

i++;
sum = sum + i;

sum = sum + i;
i++;

}
while (i < 5);

}
while (i <= 5);

E. Both A and C

10. Suppose we replace the while loop in the fragment above with a for loop. Which of
the following for loops will result in the same value of Sum printing out?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

for (int
sum =
for (int
sum =
for (int
sum =
for (int
sum =
for (int
sum =

i =
sum
i =
sum
i =
sum
i =
sum
i =
sum

0; i
+ i;
1; i
+ i;
1; i
+ i;
2; i
+ i;
1; i
+ i;

<= 5; i++)
<= 5; i++)
< 5; i++)
< 5; i++)
< 6; i++)

11. According to Jacobson, when is it good practice to use a break statement?

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

As appropriate to break out of a switch statement

As needed to break out of a loop
As needed to break out of a deeply nested series of if statements
Both A and B.
Both A and C.

-4-

12. What is the output from the following Java program fragment? Read it
carefully!
String S = ""; String T = "";
int i = 4;
for (i = 1; i <= 3; i++);
S = S + "!";
for (i = 1; i < 4; i++)
T = T + "*";
System.out.print(S);
System.out.println(T);

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

(that is, the empty string, printed twice)

*
!***
!****
!!!***

13. Which if statement below is equivalent to the given switch statement (that is,
produces the same output under the same conditions)? Assume answer is a previously
declared int.
switch (answer)
{ case 0: System.out.print("0 entered");
case 1: System.out.print("1 entered");
case 3: System.out.print("3 entered");
case 5: System.out.print("5 entered");
default: System.out.print("Other value
}

break;
break;
break;
break;
entered");

I. if (answer == 0 || 1 || 3 || 5)
System.out.print(answer + " entered");
else
System.out.print("Other value entered");

II. if (answer = 0 || answer = 1 || answer =

3 || answer = 5)
System.out.print(answer + " entered");
else System.out.print("Other value entered");

III. if ((answer >= 1 && answer <= 5 && answer % 2 == 1) ||

(answer == 0))

System.out.print(answer + " entered");

else System.out.print("Other value entered");

IV. if (answer == 0)
System.out.print("0 entered");
if (answer == 1)
System.out.print("1 entered");
if (answer == 3)
System.out.print("3 entered");
if (answer == 5)
System.out.print("5 entered");
if (answer != 0 && answer != 1 &&
answer != 3 && answer != 5)
System.out.print("Other value entered");

-5-

V. if (answer == 0)
System.out.print("0 entered");
else if (answer == 1)
System.out.print("1 entered");
else if (answer == 3)
System.out.print("3 entered");
else if (answer == 5)
System.out.print("5 entered");
else if (answer != 0 & 1 & 3 & 5)
System.out.print("Other value entered");

A. I and III only

B. III and IV only
C. IV and V only

D.
E.

II and V only
II and IV only

When answering the next 5 questions, consider this program; comments indicate
where missing needed components of the program are to be placed.
public class MainClass
{
//definition of a function that prints out a greeting
public static void main(String[] args)
{
//(2) print the greeting
//(3) construct a MyClass object called myObject
//(4) update myObject
//
print myObject
}
}
class MyClass
{
// (1) definition of MyClass constructor
public static void greetings()
{
// definition of greets
}
public void update(int num, String title)
{
// definition of update
}
public void print()
{
// definition of print
}
private int numOfItems;
private String reportTitle;
}

-6-

14. Suppose you are writing the definition of MyClass (line (1) above). Which of
the following function signatures (headers) is correct?
A. public MyClass
B. public MyClass()
C. public void MyClass

D. public void MyClass()

E. public MyClass(void)

15. Suppose you wish to call the method that prints the greeting, at line(2) above.
Which of the following statements will call this method correctly? myObject is
the MyClass object defined in the question above.
A. MainClass.greetings();
B. myObject.greetings();
C. MyClass.greetings();

D. void result = greetings();

E. greetings();

16. Suppose you wish to construct a MyClass object called myObject at line (3)
above. Which of the following statements will correctly do this?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

MyClass myObject;
myObject.MyClass();
MyClass myObject = MyClass();
MyClass myObject = new(MyClass);
MyClass myObject = new MyClass();

17. Suppose you wish to call the update method at line(4) above. Which of the
following statements will call this method correctly?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

update(myObject(3, "Hi!"));
update(3, "Hi!");
MyClass.myObject.update(3, "Hi!");
myObject.update(3, "Hi!");
MyClass.update(3, "Hi!");

18. Heres update, completed. The intent of the method is to update the class
fields with the values provided by the parameters num and title:
public void update(int num, String title)
{ int numOfItems = num;
reportTitle = title;
}

If this method is called, what can we say about the values of the member
variables numOfItems and reportTitle when that call completes?
A. numOfItems takes on the value of num; reportTitle takes on the value of title.
B. numOfItems takes on the value of num; reportTitle 's value remains unchanged.
C. numOfItems value remains unchanged; reportTitle takes on the value of
title.
D. Both numOfItems' and reportTitle's values remain unchanged.
E. A run-time error occurs because of the illegal redefinition of a variable inside the
function.
-7-

Use this method when answering the next 2 questions.

public static int theValue()
{
boolean notDone = true;
int foundIt = -9;
do {
System.out.print("Enter score: ");
int cntScore = getInt(); //assume getInt() is defined as in lab
if (cntScore != -99)
{ if ((cntScore >= 0) && (cntScore <= 100))
if (cntScore > foundIt)
foundIt = cntScore;
}
else
notDone = false;
} while (notDone == true);
return foundIt;
}

19. Which aspects of the fragment (of those listed below) violate good style
standards (as defined in this course)?
I. having the { after do (on the same line)the { should be on its own line
directly underneath do
II. The constants 9, -99, 0 and 100 should have been named, and the names
should have been used in the fragment
III. Using notDone == true as the test for the loopthere is a cleaner
expression that can be used
IV. The user is not told the sentinel value
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

I and II only
III and IV only
I, II and III only
II, III and IV only
I through IV

20. Which statement best describes the intended purpose of this fragment?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

to compute the minimum of a group of user-entered (integer) scores

to compute the maximum of a group of user-entered (integer) scores
to inform the user when s/he enters a score that is not between 0 and 100
to compute the maximum of the entered scores that are between 0 and 100
to compute the minimum of the entered scores that are between 0 and 100

-8-

21. Which of the following statements about Java arrays and ArrayLists are true?
I. Arrays are similar to objects, but technically are not true objects.
II. Once an ArrayLists size is set, it cannot be changed without
reconstructing it.
III. Arrays can directly hold primitive types as well as object references.
IV. Array indexing begins at 0, but ArrayList indexing begins at 1.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

I and III only

I, II and III only
II and III only
I, II and IV only
I, II, III and IV

22. Consider a program written using an array A of size 50. Now suppose you
want to change the program so that A is an ArrayList. What changes must or
should be made to the program? Your goal is to have a correctly functioning
program that follows good programming practice, while minimizing changes to
the code.
I. A must be constructed (using an appropriate call to the ArrayList class
constructor) before any work with the ArrayList is attempted.
II. A call to the ArrayLists destructor should be added, to destroy A when it
is no longer needed.
III. All references to elements of A via use of an index (e.g., A[I]) must be
replaced with calls to appropriate ArrayList methods.
IV. If the array stores a primitive type, the values stored in the array must be
changed, either explicitly or implicitly via autoboxing, to objects.
A. I and II only
B. I, III and IV only
C. II and III only

D. I and IV only
E. I, II, III and IV

23. Does Java do boundary checking of arrays during program execution?

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Yes, always
Yes, but only if a project file setting is made to enable such checking
Yes, but it is limited to single-dimension arrays
Yes, but only if the array is a member of a class
No

-9-

When answering the next four questions, use this program fragment. intObj is a
class containing one private field, an integer. int getInt() returns the value of
this integer; void setInt(int newValue) changes its value to newValue.
intObj p;
p = new intObj();
intObj q = new intObj();
q.setInt(20);
p.setInt(q.getInt());
p.setInt(15);
q = p;
p = null;
System.out.print(p.getInt());

//line 1
//line 2
//line 3

Use these responses when answering the next two questions:

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

value stored where p references

20
15
20
nonedeference of null pointer
nonedeference of null pointer

value stored where q references

20
15
15
20
nonedeference of null pointer

24. What are the values stored in the locations that p and q reference after the line
labeled //line 1 is executed?
25. What are the values stored in the locations that p and q reference after the line
labeled //line 2 is executed?
26. What occurs when //line 3 is executed?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

an exception is thrown
the number 20 prints
the number 15 prints
the number 0 prints
the number stored where q is referencing is printed

Consider this recursive function when answering the next 2 questions:

//intent:
//
//

if n is odd and positive, returns 1 + 3 + 5 + . + n

if n is even and positive, returns 2 + 4 + 6 + + n
if n is 0 or negative, returns 0

public static long addThemUp(int n)

{ if (n > 0)
return n + addThemUp(n - 2);
else
return n;
}

- 10 -

27. Which of these situations would cause addThemUp to return incorrect results?
I.
II.
III.
IV.
A. I only
B. I and II only
C. II and III only

the parameter's value was negative

the parameter's value was zero
the parameter's value was positive and even
the parameter's value was positive and odd
D.
E.

I and IV only
I, II, III and IV

28. Which of these versions of addThemUp would return as intended results?

A. public static long addThemUp(int n)

C. public static long addThemUp(int n)

{ if (n <= 0)
return 0;
else if (n == 1)
return 1;
else
return n + addThemUp(n - 2);
}

if (n >= 0)
return n + addThemUp(n - 2);
else
return 0;

B. public static long addThemUp(int n)

{

if (n > 0)
return n + addThemUp(n - 2);
else
return 0;

D.
E.

Both A and B
A, B and C

29. Suppose you wanted to use a function to initialize three (already declared) variables
that are not fields of a class. Further suppose you are doing this in a language that allows
passing parameters either by value or by reference. To initialize the variables,
A. you should pass them to the function by reference and set the values in the
function; the variables will be initialized when the function returns.
B. you should pass them to the function by value and set the values in the
function; the variables will be initialized when the function returns.
C. you should pass them to the function by value, set the values in the function,
then return these values via a return statement.
D. define these variables so they are global to the function, then set their values
within the function; that is the preferred approach.
E. you should adopt another approach: none of the above methods is a reasonable
approach.

- 11 -

30. Here is a list of steps to be taken when a function with a parameter is called:
I.
execute the function (and use the formal parameter during its execution)
II. delete the temporary storage associated with the formal parameter
III. do whatever work is necessary to determine the actual parameters
value
IV. do whatever work is necessary to resolve the actual parameter to a
location in memory
V. create temporary storage with the name of the formal parameter
VI. copy the value of the actual parameter to the temporary storage location
VII. copy the memory location of the actual parameter to the temporary
storage location
Now suppose a function is called with a parameter that is passed by reference. In
order, what steps are taken to execute the function, from the start of the call
through its completion, that involve this parameter? (The lists below give steps
in order when read left to right.)
A. III, V, VI, I, II
B. IV, V, VII, I, II
C. V, VII, III, II, I

D.
E.

V, VI, IV, II, I

IV, V, VI, II, I

31. What is the output from the following Java program fragment?
(Reponses are on the next page.)
public static void main(String[] args)
{
int A = 10;
int B = 20;
update(A, B);
System.out.println(A + " " + B);
}
public static void update (int X, int Y)
{
X = X + Y;
Y = Y + X;
System.out.println(X + " " + Y);
}

A. None; there is a run-time error (before any output is produced)

B.

10 20
10 20

D.

30 50
10 20

C.

10 20
30 50

E.

30 50
30 50

- 12 -

32. Suppose you have a class MyClass and want to easily replace the contents of
one object, target, with the contents of another object of MyClass, source. Which
of the following statements would correctly create the copy?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

target = source;
target.clone(source);
target = source.clone();
target = source.equals();
target = (MyClass) source.clone();

33. To enable exception handling on a block of code, one

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

encloses it in a try block

encloses it in a throwable block
labels it, then inserts that label into the Java exception handler list
must place the code into its own method and mark the method throwable
enables a trap for that code

34. In Java, what happens if code is written that could throw a checked exception
in a method that has no throws clause for that exception, and there is no catch
block defined in the method to handle that particular exception class?
A. If an accessible catch block exists for one of the exceptions ancestor classes,
then the program compiles and runs.
B. If there is no catch block that can handle the exception, the code will not
compile.
C. If the exception is thrown, and there is no catch block that can handle the
exception, the program halts.
D. If the exception is thrown, and there is no catch block that can handle the
exception, the program continues, but its results are unpredictable
E. Both A and B, taken together, fully describe what occurs.
35. A binary file opened for input only and relative access can
I. have its information changed
II. have its file pointer moved sequentially through the file
III. have its file pointer positioned to any object stored in the file,
regardless of where the file pointer was pointing just previously
IV. be checked for end-of-line conditions
A. I and III only
B. II and III only

C. II and IV only
D. I, II and IV only

- 13 -

E. I, III and IV only

Use this information when answering the next three questions:

Suppose I wanted to copy an ArrayList<string>'s contents into a file, with the
string stored in a position of the ArrayList comprising one line of the file. The
string in the first position of the ArrayList is to be the first line of the file, the
string in the next position of the array is to be the next line of the file, and so on.
Here's an outline of what needs to be done, with two actions missing:
set current position of string array to its start;
_______________;
//missing action 1
while (items remaining in the array)
{
put current position's string into the file
(followed by the new line character);
_____________;
//missing action 2
}

36.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
37.

Which phrase best describes what missing action 1 should be?

open the file as text, input, sequential access
open the file as text, output, sequential access
open the file as binary, output, relative access
open the file as binary, output, sequential access
open the file as text, input, relative access
Which phrase best describes what missing action 2 should be?

A. go to the next position in the ArrayList

B. go to the next line of the file (since the file pointer does not move
automatically)
C. go to the next component of the file (since the file pointer does not move
automatically)
D. Both A and B
E. Both A and C
38. What is the output of this program fragment? (Ignore any leading spaces.)
double X = 123.321;
String Y = "Hi!";
System.out.format("%7.3f%s", X, Y);

A. 23.32Hi!
B. 123.321Hi!
C. +23.32Hi!

D. 1.23e2Hi!
E. none; a compile- or run-time error occurs

- 14 -

39. When using hasNext() on a Scanner, how do we know when the end of file
has been reached?
A. hasNext () throws an EOFException.
B. hasNext () returns a null.
C. Control transfers to the finally block associated with the block that hasNext
() is in
D. Scanner() throws an EOFException.
E. hasNext () returns a false.
40. If a class is not qualified as public or private, what does that imply about its
public methods and fields?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

No other class can use them: class access defaults to private.

Only classes in the same file can use them.
Only classes in the same package can use them.
Only classes derived from this class can use them.
All classes can use them.

41.
Whats the connection between public classes and .java file names?
(Assume the file contains no inner classes.)
A. The file can have at most one public class; if present, it must have the same
name as the file.
B. The file must have at least one public class and none of them can have the
same name as the file.
C. It is common practice to name a file after one of the public classes in it, but
Java does not require it.
D. If the file does not contain a public class, its name must not match the names
of any of the classes in it.
E. There is no connection!
42. An interface must meet which of these restrictions?
I.
II.
III.
IV.

It must not have any fields.

All methods must be abstract.
Only public methods are allowed.
A class can implement only one interface.

A. II and III only

B. I, II and III only
C. II, III and IV only

D.
E.

I, III and IV only

I, II,III and IV

- 15 -

Use this information when answering the next seven questions:

is a class that defines regular polygons (figures such as equilateral
triangles, squares, and regular pentagonspolygons where all the sides have the
same length). It has, among other public methods, one named area(), which
takes no parameters, and returns as type double the area of the polygon.
Polygon

Classes Square, EqiTriangle and Pentagon are derived from Polygon. Square
and EqiTriangle each have, among other public methods, one named area(),
which takes no parameters and returns as type double the area of a Square and
EqiTriangle, respectively. Pentagon does not define a method named area().
43. What fields does Square inherit from Polygon?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
!

Only those that have public or package access

All except those that are private
Only public ones
All except those that have protected access
All of them

44. Which among the classes Square, EqiTriangle and Pentagon inherit area()
from Polygon?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Square, EqiTriangle and Pentagon

Square and EqiTriangle only
Pentagon only
Square only

none of them

45. Define P to be a Polygon object reference, S a Square object reference and T an

EqiTriangle object reference. Which of these assignment statements are legal?
I. S = T
II. P = T
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

III.
IV.

T = P
P = S

II and IV only
II and III only
II, III and IV only
I, II and IV only
I, II, III and IV

46. Suppose the object referenced in a cell of ArrayList<Polygon> pentagonGroup

is of type Pentagon. If you later reference that object, what type will it have?
A. Pentagon
B. Polygon
C. Object

D. Byte
E. Class

- 16 -

47. Suppose you wish to access the pentagon stored at position 3 of an

ArrayList<Pentagon> pentagonGroup and invoke the area() method on it. Which
statement below does this correctly?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

pentagonGroup.get(3).area();
pentagonGroup.area().get(3);
pentagonGroup.(Pentagon).get(3).area();
pentagonGroup[3].area();
(Pentagon)pentagonGroup[3].area();

48. Suppose you wish to call Polygon's area() method in the definition of
EqiTriangle's area() method; both area() methods have the same signature.
How is this done?
A. (polygon)area();
B. super.area();
C. this.area();

D. area();
E. parent.area();

49. Suppose Polygon's area() function is made abstract. Which of the following
statements are then true?
I.
II.
III.
IV.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Polygon must be made an abstract class.

Polygon's area

function must have no body.

Polygon objects cannot be constructed.

Any class derived from Polygon must override the area() function (if
we want to be able to construct objects of those classes)

I and III only

I and II only
I and IV only
I, III and IV only
I, II, III and IV

50. Which of the following statements about applets are true?

I.
II.
III.
IV.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

An applet is a class that must be derived from the Java Applet class
An applet is invoked from HTML statements, rather than a "main()"
An applet almost always overrides the paint() method
An applet must be compiled into a .class files before it can be used

I and II only
II and III only
I, II and III only
II, III and IV only
I, II, III and IV

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51. When is the paint() method called?

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Whenever the HTML of a Web page invokes it

Whenever the Web browser determines the screen needs to be repainted
Only when the user enters the page that executes the applet
Whenever a geometric figure is created or modified
Only when the applet is first invoked

52. The graphics window in Java has its origin in a specified position, and has the
x and y coordinates values increasing in specified directions. Which of the
selections below correctly gives these specifications?
origin is located

x value increase

y values increase

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

to the right
to the right
to the left
to the right
to the right

up
down
up
up
down

upper left
upper left
upper left
center
center

53. To notice an event (and react to it), Java requires you to do which of the
following things?
I. define your own handler class that implements the appropriate Javaprovided listener interface
II. define your own handler class that extends the appropriate Javaprovided adapter class
III. construct an object of your handler class
IV. add your handler object to the list of listeners Java maintains
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Either I or II, and III and IV

I, II, III and IV
II and III only
I and III only
Either I or II, and IV only

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