Topic X Basic

Constructs of
2 Java
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this topic, you should be able to:
1. Describe the importance of data type and variable in Java;
2. List the primitive data types in Java;
3. List the rules of naming a variable in Java;
4. Describe an assignment;
5. Describe boolean operators and relational operators; and
6. Explain about operator precedence.

X INTRODUCTION
What is a computer program? A program is a sequence of instructions that a
computer can execute to perform a task. There are two basic blocks of
programming - data and instructions - and to work with data, you need to
understand variables and data types; to work with instructions, you need to
understand control structures and subroutines (methods). This topic will focus
on how variables, data types and related concepts can be implemented in Java.
 TOPIC 2 BASIC CONSTRUCTS OF JAVA W 17

2.1 DATA TYPES

Java is a kind of language that places importance on the types. This means each
variable should consist of the approved types. There are eight types of primitive
data in Java. Six of these are numerical types, while the others are char data that
are used for characters in Unicode coding and Boolean for true values (true or
false). All types of data in Java have the same cell sizes in any environment. All
the variables in Java must have a type. (Variables will be elaborated upon in
section 2.2.)

2.1.1 Integer
The integer type of data is used for numbers that do not have decimals. Negative
values are also allowed. Java prepares four types of integer data, namely, int,
short, long and byte. The storage size and value range for each of this data type is
shown in Table 2.1:

Table 2.1: Value Range for the Integer Data Type

Type Storage Capacity Minimum Value Maximum Value

int 32-bit 2,147,483,648 2,143,483,647
short 16-bit 32,768 32,767
long 64-bit 9,223,372,036,854,775,808L 9,223,372,036,854,775,80L
byte 8-bit 128 127

In many cases, the int type data is the most practical. If the integer value used
is too large, for example, in representing the income of PETRONAS, the most
appropriate data is long0 The byte and short data type are for the use of
specific applications such as keeping files at a lower level or a larger array if the
storage space is insufficient.

In Java language, the range for the integer data type does not depend on the
machine where the Java code is executed. Unlike Java, in C or C++ language, the
int data type is different according to the machine. For the 16 bytes processor
such as the 8086, the int cell size is 2 bytes while for the 32 bytes processor such
as the Sun SPARC, the cell size is 4 bytes. For the Intel Pentium processor, the
integer data type depends on the operation system: for DOS and Windows 3.1,
the integer cell size is 2 bytes and when using the 32 bytes processor on Windows
95 or Windows NT, the cell size is 4 bytes.
18 X TOPIC 2 BASIC CONSTRUCTS OF JAVA

As the range for all types of Java data is fixed, the Java program will produce the
same results if run on any machine. This makes it easier for programmers who
wish to transfer their codes from one machine to another or between the
operational systems on the same platform.

The long type of numerical integer has the L suffix (for example 2412345600L).
The hexadecimal numbers have the initial 0x (for example 0xA9B9). Take note
that Java does not have the type of data with an unsigned descriptor as in C.

2.1.2 Real
The real data type or floating point represents numbers that have the decimal
parts. There are two types of real data types, namely, float and double. The
storage size and value range for each of these data is shown in Table 2.2 below.

Table 2.2: Value Range for the Real Type Data

Storage
Type Minimum Value Maximum Value
Capacity
float 32 bit 3.40282347E+38F 1.40239846E-45F
double 64 bit 1.797693134862+31570E+308 4.9406545645841246544E-324

The name double is used because the number from this type has two times the
precision of the float type numbers. Sometimes, it is called the variable with
double precision. In many applications, the double type is picked to represent
real numbers. This is because the float data type can only represent 7
meaningful digits (decimals). The precision of limited float data is insufficient
in most cases. One of the reasons for using it is when there is a need for quick
processing or when the real number count that needs to be stored is large.

The real number from the float type has the F suffix, for example 75.43F. The
floating point number without the suffix F such as 75.43 would be considered
double0 This is because the double data type is the default data that represents
real numbers in Java. This is different from C language that uses vjg float as
its default data type.

We could also add the D suffix to represent double type numbers. All the
floating point data types follow IEEE 754 specifications. An overflow occurs
when the range error takes place and an underflow occurs when the zero
division operation takes place.
 TOPIC 2 BASIC CONSTRUCTS OF JAVA W 19

2.1.3 Characters
The character data type is represented by char0"Vjg"ukping"qrgp"kpxgtvgf"ukip"(Â)
is used to show character constant. As an example,

ÂYÊ shows character constant.

„Y‰ shows a string that contains only the Y character.

The char data type follows the Unicode coding scheme. Unicode was created to
facilitate the programmer in dealing with non-Roman characters. As the Unicode
was invented to handle all characters existent in all the written languages in the
world, the cell size is 2 bytes. This size allows character representation of up to
65,536 compared to the ASCII/ANSI code, which is the 1 byte code and only
allows 255 character representation. Until recently, only 35,000 character codes
were used.

The Unicode character is usually expressed in the hexadecimal coding scheme

that starts with Â\ u0000Ê until Â\uFFFFÊ. The initial \u shows the Unicode value
and the next four hexadecimal digits show the represented Unicode characters.
For example, \u2122 is the trademark symbol (™).

Please refer to the web location http://www.unicode.org for further

explanations on the Unicode.

Java has also allowed us to use the escape sequence for special characters as
shown in Table 2.3 below.

Table 2.3: Unicode Value for Special Characters

Escape Squence Meaning Unicode Value

\b Backspace \u0008
\t Tab \u0009
\n New Line \u000a
\r Carriage return \u000d
\‰ „ \u0022
\Ê Â \u0027
\\ \ \u005e
20 X TOPIC 2 BASIC CONSTRUCTS OF JAVA

Although Java allows any Unicode character in the Applet or Java applications,
the question whether that character can be displayed on the Applet or console
depends on the support provided. For example, we cannot display the Kanji
character (a type of Japanese writing) on a machine that operates using Windows
95  US version.

2.1.4 Boolean
Boolean types have two values: true and false. These literals are typed
without quotes, but they represent values, not variables. Boolean-valued
expressions are used extensively in control structures and to test the mantic
expressions. Boolean values can also be assigned to variables of type boolean.

Boolean data type does not exist in C language. However, the non-zero value is
used to represent true and zero for false. In C++, a data type called bool is
used. It, too, can take either the true or false value. As C++ has a history that
relates closely to C, therefore, the exchange between the Boolean value and
integer is allowed. This means that the integer value can still be used to test a
signal. But in Java, the exchange of the boolean value and integer is not
allowed, even by using the casting operation. The following is an example of the
use of the Boolean data type to represent the status of a room.

class Test1 {
public static void main (String args[]){
boolean dark;
dark = true;

while (dark) {
System.out.println(“Switch on lights”);
dark = false;
}//while
}//main
""Ä11class
 TOPIC 2 BASIC CONSTRUCTS OF JAVA W 21

In the above example, we declare a dark variable as a boolean type. Therefore,

this variable can only take the true or false value. Then we give an initial
value as true0 When this variable is made a requisite for the while loop and is
value tested, then this requisite is fulfilled because dark is valued as true0
Hence, the statement for the while loop body would be executed, i.e. output
›switch on lightsfi would be printed on the display. Then the dark variable
is assigned the false value0 Logically, after the lights are switched on, the room
would no longer be dark. Thus, it is appropriate if the dark variable value be
given a false value. The accomplishment of the program would exit from the
loop because the loop requisite is no longer valid.

ACTIVITY 2.1

You wish to develop a program to evaluate students based on

the marks obtained. What is the type of data involved in the
development of the program?

SELF-CHECK 2.1

State the appropriate data type for the values below.

(a) 51
(b) 31444843
(c) 3.14
(d) 5.301E  10

At the end of this section, you should be able to list the types of data that could
be used in developing a Java program and differentiate the four data types that
have been discussed. In the subsequent section, we will learn how to name and
declare a variable with the appropriate data type.
22 X TOPIC 2 BASIC CONSTRUCTS OF JAVA

2.2 VARIABLES, DECLARATION AND

CONSTANT
Programs manipulate data that is stored in memory. In machine language, data
can only be referred to by giving the numerical address of the location in
memory where it is stored. In a high-level language such as Java, names are used
instead of numbers to refer to data. It is the job of the computer to keep track of
where in the memory is the data actually stored; the programmer only has to
remember the name. A name used in this way  to refer to data stored in memory
 is called a variable. Figure 2.1 and Figure 2.2 below show the concept of
memory location in the CPU of a computer.

Figure 2.1: Memory location showing the name and value of variables age

Figure 2.2: Memory location showing the name and value of variables age and name

A variable in Java is designed to hold only one particular type of data; it can
legally hold that type of data and no other. The compiler will consider it to be a
syntax error if you try to violate this rule. In the previous section, you have
learned data types that can be used in a Java program. This section will describe
how to name variables to be used according to Java specification.

Remember: Declaring a variable will involve data type and variable name.

This is important because if you fail to properly declare the right variable, the
Java program will be unable to be compiled and executed.
 TOPIC 2 BASIC CONSTRUCTS OF JAVA W 23

2.2.1 Name of Variable

Table 2.4: Java Reserved Words

abstract extends interface super

boolean false long sure
break final native swit
byte finally new synchronized
case float null this
cast for operator throw
continue implements public var
default import rest void
do inner return volatile
double instance of short while
else int static
catch future outer throws
char generic package transient
class goto private true
const if protected try

There is also a style in naming the variable, especially if that name consists of
several words. The rule discussed above does not allow empty space characters
to be used to separate words. The most popular among the programming
community is by starting the first word with a small letter and using the capital
letter to start the next word. Character Â_Ê is not selected even though it does not
break the above rules. Below is an example of the name of variable:

studentName, totalMarks, pricePerunit

The above is the style suggested compared to the following:

student_name,total_marks,price_perunit
24 X TOPIC 2 BASIC CONSTRUCTS OF JAVA

ACTIVITY 2.2

You intend to develop a program on workers salary system. List the

variables that represent the information which will be used.

2.2.2 Variable Declaration

Like other programming languages, Java claims each variable is declared first
before it is used. Variable declaration is done by placing the data type first,
followed by the name of the variable. The syntax for variable declaration is given
below.

data_type name_variable;

Some examples of declarations are shown below:

class Test2 {
public static void main (String args[]){

byte presentStatus;
int n;
long distanceInInches;
boolean stillStudying;
char grade;

}//main
}//class

Each declaration ought to end with Â;Ê because the declaration is a complete Java
statement. We can also declare several variables in a line such as the following
example:

class Test3 {
public static void main (String args[]){

int x, y, z;
boolean haveEaten, sleepy;

}/main
} //class
 TOPIC 2 BASIC CONSTRUCTS OF JAVA W 25

However, normally only one variable is declared in a line to enable us to write

comments about it. The following is an example of how variables are declared
with comments written:

class Test4 {
public static void main (String args[]){
long distanceInInches; /* distance between earth and
sun */
boolean stillStudying; //informs present status
char grade; / * grade for programming
course */

}//main
}//class

2.2.3 Constant
The variable whose value is always constant, meaning it does not change, is
known as a constant. The reserved word final is used in this constant declaration
as in the following format:

public static final data_type name_constant=value_constant;

The reserved word public shows that the constant declared can be accessed and
used by any method in class where it is declared even in other classes. The word
static means that this constant has not accomplished any operation on other
objects. The word final means the value for the constant is permanent and cannot
be changed by any other Java statement.

data_type is a type of data for name_constant that is declared. name_constant is

the name intended for the constant and it has to abide by the rules of naming the
variable. However, to differentiate from other variables, normally each character
in the name_constant is written using capital letters. value_constant is the value
intended to relate to that constant. The following is an example of the constant
declaration.

class Test5 {
public static void main (String args[]){

public static final double Pl = 3.14159;

public static final int COUNT = 10;
}//main
}//class
26 X TOPIC 2 BASIC CONSTRUCTS OF JAVA

Pl is declared as the double type constant with a value of 3.14159. Meanwhile,

COUNT is declared as int type constant with a value of 10. The value of a
particular constant cannot be changed in the program other than the initial value
that is assigned to it. For example, see the declaration below:

class Test6 {
public static void main (String args[]){

final double PI = 3.14159

PI = 3.2549; //error – cannot change value for constant
} //main
}//class

2.2.4 Comment
As in other programming languages, comments in Java do not appear in the
output of the program. Java has three ways to write comments, which are:

(a) Comments to the Last Line

This type of comment is the most popular. It is used to write comments on
one line. This type of comment starts with //.

class Test7 {
public static void main (String args[]){

System.out.println(“Welcome”); //one line comment

}//main
}//class

(b) Comment Block

Comment block is usually used to write comments that exceed one line. It
starts with /* and ends with */.

class Test8 {
public static void main (String args[]){

/* This is a comment example that exceeds one line.

Therefore, it needs to be written in block form. ,1
}//main
}//class
 TOPIC 2 BASIC CONSTRUCTS OF JAVA W 27

Answer the following questions to test your knowledge of what you have
learned in this topic.

ACTIVITY 2.3

You know the type of comments that can be used logically. Do

you know the importance of comments in a program? Discuss in
class.

SELF-CHECK 2.2

State whether the variables below are valid or otherwise. For the
variables that are invalid, please state the following reasons:
(a) nameLength
(b) Name_length
(c) Import
(d) 43650BBB
(e) BBB43650
(f) touch&go
(g) touch-and-go
(h) 2nd
(i) break
(j) OUM

After reading through this section, you should be able to declare a variable with
the appropriate data type. You should also be able to differentiate the three types
of comment and how to use them.
28 X TOPIC 2 BASIC CONSTRUCTS OF JAVA

2.3 ASSIGNMENT STATEMENT, INITIAL

VALUE AND CHANGING NUMERIC VALUE
After the variable is declared, it has to be given an initial value using an
assignment statement. Normally, the compiler would give a warning message if
there is a variable with no initial value.

2.3.1 Assignment Statement

In Java, the only way to get data into a variable is with an assignment statement.
An assignment statement in Java has the following form:

variable = expression;

Here, expression refers to data or its computation whereas variable is any name
of variable that has been declared. The expression can consist of any variable,
constant, expression or a combination of the three that is linked by the operator
such as +, -, /, * and others that can produce a value.

When the computer comes to an assignment statement when executing a

program, it evaluates the expression and puts the resulting data value into the
variable. For example, consider the simple assignment statement (modified from
David J. Eck, 2006):

discount = 100;

The variable in this assignment statement is discount, and the expression is the
number 100. The computer executes this assignment statement by putting the
number 100 in the variable discount, replacing whatever was there before.
Now, consider the following assignment statement, which might come later in
the same program:

newPrice=oldPrice-discount;
 TOPIC 2 BASIC CONSTRUCTS OF JAVA W 29

Here, the value of the expression "oldPrice-discount" is being assigned to

the variable newPrice. In the expression, the  is a "substraction operator" that
tells the computer to subtract the value of discount from the oldPrice. The names
oldPrice and discount are themselves variables, and it is the values stored in
those variables that are to be computed (modified from David J. Eck, 2006).

2.3.2 Initial Value

The following program shows how a variable is given an initial value:

class Test9 {
public static void main (String args[]){
int age; //declaration of int variable
char sex; //declaration of the char variable
boolean status; //declaration of the boolean
age = 10; // assigned value 10 for age
gender = ‘M’; // assigned character ‘M’ for sex
status = false; //status has value false
}//main
}//class

Java allows both declaration and giving initial value to be executed on the same
line. For example:

class Test10 {
public static void main (String args[]){

int age = 10; //initial value of age is 10

boolean status = false; /*initial value of status is
false */
long lengthBridge = 8864L;
double weight = 37.266;
float average = 67.35F;
double pressure = 26.77e3;
}//main
}//class
30 X TOPIC 2 BASIC CONSTRUCTS OF JAVA

The declaration of the variable can be placed anywhere in the code so long as it is
declared before the variable is used. However, a variable can only be declared
once in a method. The contents of the variable may change based on the last
assigned expression and it has only one value.

2.3.3 Changing Numeric Value

In general, the type of the expression on the right-hand side of an assignment
statement must be the same as the type of the variable on the left-hand side.
However, in some cases, the computer will automatically convert the value
computed by the expression to match the type of the variable.

Java does not face problems in executing the multiplication operation of an

integer of the int type with a double type real number. The result of this
multiplication is double. Generally, any binary operation on a numeric value
from a different type is acceptable and the result would be evaluated as follows:
x If one is of the double type operant, the other operant would be changed to
double0
x If one of it is a float type operant, the other operant would be changed to
float0
x If one of it is a long type operant, the other operant would be changed to
long0

The same principle applies to integer types: int, short. and byte0

There is a possibility that we may assume a double number as an integer. The

numeric change is allowed in Java although unfortunately there may be
information that may be lost. This happens if the casting operator is used. The
syntax for the casting operator is by providing parenthesis for the target type that
is desired followed by the name of the variable. For example:

double grandTotal = 100.89;

int ringgit = (int) grandTotal;

The value assigned to the ringgit is 100. Changing the floating point value to int
would cut off the decimal portion of the float point value. If we wish to round up
a floating point number to the nearest integer, use the Math.round method:

double grandTotal = 100.89;

int ringgit = (int) Math.round(grandTotal);
 TOPIC 2 BASIC CONSTRUCTS OF JAVA W 31

The sum assigned to the ringgit is 1010 Note that the use of the casting
operation"*int+ is still needed. This is because the value returned by the round
method is a long type, and a long value can only be changed to int value with the
casting operator.

The Java compiler will not give any warning if we try to change a certain number
from one type to another, which is outside the target type range. Therefore, a
good programming practice is by testing whether the intended value to be
changed is within the target type range before change can be made.

Java allows the change in value of a particular variable from one type to another
without the casting operation following the sequence below:

byte short int long float double

and

char int

A value of a type that occurs earlier in this list can be converted automatically to
a value that occurs later. For example:

int A;
double X;
short B;
A = 17;
X = A; // Acceptable; A is converted to a double
B = A; // illegal; no automatic conversion
// from int to short
Source: David J. Eck, 2006

In some cases, you might want to force a conversion that would not be done
automatically. For this, you can use casting. For example:

int A;
short B;
A = 17;
B = (short)A; // Acceptable; A is explicitly type cast to a value of type short
Source: David J. Eck, 2006
32 X TOPIC 2 BASIC CONSTRUCTS OF JAVA

You can do casting from any numeric type to any other numeric type. However,
you should note that you might change the numeric value of a number by type-
casting it. You can also type-cast between the type char and the numeric types.
The numeric value of a char is its Unicode code number. For example,
(char)97 is 'a', and (int)'+' is 43 (Source: David J. Eck, 2006).

SELF-CHECK 2.3

The following Java program has a few mistakes. Rewrite the

program by correcting the mistakes.

class Error {
public static void main (String[ ] args){
width = 15
area = length * width;
System.out.println(„Area is „ + area);
}
}

You now know how to give an initial value to a variable and perform binary
operations to numerics with different data types without losing data. In the next
section, you will learn in detail on operators and operator's operation that
involve numeric values.

2.4 OPERATOR
In developing a program, we will use mathematical operations to do the
calculation. In this topic, you will be exposed to arithmetic operations,
assignment, increment and decrement that could be used in a Java program.

Arithmetic operation, assignment as well as addition and reduction in Java are

the same as in C language.
 TOPIC 2 BASIC CONSTRUCTS OF JAVA W 33

2.4.1 Arithmetic
Table 1.5 below shows the operator and operation used in Java. The operation for
this operator is the same as in C language.

Table 2.5: Arithmetic Operator

Operator Operation
+ Addition
 Subtraction
* Multiplication
/ Division
% Residue (modulo)

The / operator refers to the integer division if both operands are integers. This
means that the results obtained are integers. If otherwise, the division is division
of real numbers. The % operator meanwhile refers to the integer residue. Look at
the examples shown in Table 2.6 below:

Table 2.6: Example of the Division Operation and Modulo

Operation Result
5/2 2
5.0 / 2 2.5
5.0 / 2.0 2.5
5 / 2.0 2.5
5%2 1
34 X TOPIC 2 BASIC CONSTRUCTS OF JAVA

2.4.2 Multiple Assignments

Multiple assignment operator provides a shortcut to using the arithmetic
operation in the assignment statement. Table 2.7 below shows a multiple
assignment operator, an example of its usage and the meaning of that assignment
statement.

Table 2.7: Multiple Assignment Operator

Operator Example Meaning

+ no += 7 no = no + 7

= no = 7 no = no  7
*= no *= 7 no = no * 7
/+ no / = 7 no = no / 7
%= no % = 7 no = no % 7

2.4.3 Addition and Reduction

As in C and C++, the addition and reduction operator are used in the same way.
Only one operant is involved in this operation. The operant must be a variable
from the integer type. There are two forms of usage of the addition and reduction
operator, which are known as a prefix or postfix of a variable. The table below
shows an addition and reduction operator, an example of its usage and the
meaning of each particular operator.

Table 2.8: Addition and Reduction Operators

Operator Usage Meaning

Add value i by 1 after being used
i++
in a statement
++
Add value i by 1 before being used
++i
in a statement
Reduce value i by 1 after being
i 
used in a statement

Reduce value i by 1 before being
 i
used in a statement
 TOPIC 2 BASIC CONSTRUCTS OF JAVA W 35

This operation will change the value of the variable. Therefore, it cannot be done
on a constant, for example 7++. See several examples below:

class Test11 {
public static void main (String args[]){

int i = 1;
int j = 1;
int x = 7-++i;//the value of x is 5, and i becomes 2
int y = 7–j++;//the value of y is 6, and j becomes 2

}//main
}//class

Note that the values of x and y are different even though the original value of i
and j are the same. This is because in the third statement, the value of i is added
by 1 first before subtracting from 7, while in the last statement the original value
of j is subtracted from 7 and then only added by 1. The use of the addition and
reduction operator in the statement can cause confusion which is difficult to
trace. Therefore, the use of this operator is not encouraged in statements such as
the examples shown above. However, it can be used in cases such as follows:

int n = 0;
n++; //alternative to n = n+ 1;

2.4.4 Relational Operators

Java has boolean variables and boolean-valued expressions that can be used to
express conditions that can be either true or false using a relational operator.
Relational operators are used to test whether two values are equal, whether one
value is greater than another, and so forth. The relation operators in Java are: ==,
!=, <, >, <=, and >=. The meanings of these operators are:

Table 2.9: Relations Operator

Operator Operation Example Value

== Same as 2==3 False
!= Not same as 2!=0 True
< Less than 3 <4 True
> More than 4>3 True
<= Less than or same as 4<=4 True
>= More than or same as 3>=4 False
36 X TOPIC 2 BASIC CONSTRUCTS OF JAVA

These operators can be used to compare values of any of the numeric types. They
can also be used to compare values of type char.

Boolean expressions are used intensively in loop and branch statements. But you
can also assign boolean-valued expressions to boolean variables, just as you can
assign numeric values to numeric variables.

By the way, the operators == and != can be used to compare boolean values. This
is occasionally useful. For example, can you figure out what the following
program does?

class Test12 {
public static void main (String args[]){
int age = 30, height = 40;
boolean status;
status = ((age > 20) == (height > 55));
}//main
}//class

Relational operators <, >, <=, and <= are cannot be used to compare values of
type String.

Please remember that Java uses different symbols for assignments and
equivalence tests. Assignments use the symbol Â=Ê while equivalence tests use the
symbol Â==Ê. For example, the value *;"?"?"8+"is false. Java avoids the possibility
of the occurrence of errors arising from the use of the symbol Â=Ê at places where
the symbol Â==Ê is used.

If you use several operators in one expression, and if you don't use parentheses
to explicitly indicate the order of evaluation, then you have to worry about the
precedence rules that determine the order of evaluation.
 TOPIC 2 BASIC CONSTRUCTS OF JAVA W 37

Table 2.10 below shows the priority level of the numeric operator including
relations.

Table 2.10: Level of Operator Priority

Priority Order Operator

1 ()
2 ++  
3 */%
4 +
5 <> <= >=
6 == !=

Operators on the same line have the same precedence. When they occur together,
unary operators and assignment operators are evaluated right to left, and the
remaining operators are evaluated left to right.

For example, A*B/C means (A*B)/C, while A=B=C means A=(B=C). Let us see
more examples below.

Example 1: Evaluating 2 + 4/2

2 + 4/2

2+2=4

(Note: 4/2 will be evaluated first as the operator / has higher priority than
operator +)
38 X TOPIC 2 BASIC CONSTRUCTS OF JAVA

Example 2: Evaluating (2 + 4)/2

(2 + 4)/2

6/2=3

(Note: The operands and operator in the parentheses will be evaluated first as
parentheses have the highest priority. Thus, 2 + 4 in the parentheses will be
evaluated first and the result will be divided with 2)

Can you evaluate the expression 2+(4/2)-4/2(62/2)? The answer is 3.

2.4.5 Boolean Operators

"And", "or", and "not" are the boolean operators in Java that allow us to perform
complicated operations.

Table 2.11: Boolean Operators

Operator Meaning Value

&& AND boolean
|| OR boolean
! NOT boolean

In Java, the boolean operator "and" is represented by &&. The && operator is used
to combine two boolean values. The result is also a boolean value. The result is
true if both of the combined values are true, and the result is false if either of
the combined values is false. For example, "(x == 0) && (y == 0)" is
true if and only if both x is equal to 0 and y is equal to 0.

The boolean operator "or" is represented by ||. The expression "A || B" is true
if either A is true or B is true, or if both are true. "A || B" is false only if
both A and B are false.

The && and II operators are evaluated using a shortcut method. This means in
evaluating the following statement:

(valueA && valueB)

 TOPIC 2 BASIC CONSTRUCTS OF JAVA W 39

If the statement or the A value variable has been evaluated as false, therefore the
statement or B value variable need no longer be evaluated to obtain the overall
value of that statement.

The boolean operator "not" is a unary operator. In Java, it is indicated by ! and is

written in front of its single operand. For example, if test is a boolean variable,
then

test = !test;

will reverse the value of test, changing it from true to false, or from false to
true.

SELF-CHECK 2.4

1. Give the value for each of the arithmetic statements below:

Statement Value

(a) 4 + 5.0 * 6
(b) (4 + 5) * 6
(c) 4+5/6
(d) (4 + 5) / 6
(e) 4+5%3
(f) (4 + 5) % 3
(g) 9%2*7/3
(h) 5.0 / 2 * 3 % 2

2. What are the values of j and k after the statement below has been
executed? Assume that value j is 5 and value k is 7 before the
statement is accomplished.
(a) k + = j;
(b) k  = j++;
(c) k * =++ j*2;
(d) k / = 25 * j  ;
(e) k % = j  3;
40 X TOPIC 2 BASIC CONSTRUCTS OF JAVA

In conclusion, you should have recognised the operators that could be suitably
used with arithmetic operations that will be used in a particular Java program.

x There are two basic blocks of programming: data and instructions.

x To work with data, you need to understand variables and data types which
are the focus of this topic.

x Like other programming languages, Java is rich with various constructs that
should be understood by students.

x This topic has discussed basic Java constructs that should be known by
students to enable them to write a Java program that is complete and free
from errors.

Boolean Expression
Boolean Operator Relational Operator
Data Types Variable