Topic 2

Introduction to Java Programming

“When a programming
language is created that allows
programmers to program in
simple English, it will be
discovered that programmers
cannot speak English.”
- Anonymous

Based on slides for Building Java Programs by Reges/Stepp, found at

http://faculty.washington.edu/stepp/book/

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 What We Will Do Today
What are computer languages?
Java editors
– text editor and command line
– BlueJ
First programming concepts
– output with println statements
– syntax and errors
structured algorithms with static methods
identifiers, keywords, and comments
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 Computers and Computer
Languages
Computers are everywhere
– how many computers do you own?
Computers are useful because they run
various programs
– program is simply a set of instructions to
complete some task
– how many different programs do you use in a
day?

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 Definitions
program: A set of instructions that are to be carried
out by a computer.

program execution: The act of carrying out the

instructions contained in a program.
– this is done by feeding the instructions to the CPU

programming language: A systematic set of rules

used to describe computations, generally in a
format that is editable by humans.
– in this class will are using Java

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 High Level Languages
 Computers are fast
– Pentium 4 chip from 2001 can
perform approximately
1,700,000,000 computations per
second
– made up of 42,000,000 transistors
(a switch that is on or off)
 Computers are dumb
– They can only carry out a very limited set
of instructions
• on the order of 100 or so depending on
the computer's processor
• machine language instructions, aka
instruction set architecture (ISA)
• Add, Branch, Jump, Get Data, Get
Instruction, Store

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 Machine Code
John von Neumann - co-author of paper in 1946
with Arthur W. Burks and Hermann H. Goldstine,
– "Preliminary Discussion of the Logical Design of an
Electronic Computing Instrument"
One of the key points
– program commands and data stored as sequences of
bits in the computer's memory
A program:
1110001100000000
0101011011100000
0110100001000000
0000100000001000
0001011011000100
0001001001100001
0110100001000000
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 Say What?
Programming with Strings of bits (1s or 0s) is not
the easiest thing in the world.
Assembly language
– mnemonics for machine language instructions
.ORIG x3001
LD R1, x3100
AND R3, R3 #0
LD R4, R1
BRn x3008
ADD R3, R3, R4
ADD R1, R1, #1
LD R4, R1
BRnzp x3003
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 High Level Languages
Assembly language, still not so easy, and lots
of commands to accomplish things
High Level Computer Languages provide the
ability to accomplish a lot with fewer commands
than machine or assembly language in a way
that is hopefully easier to understand
int sum;
int count = 0;
int done = -1;
while( list[count]!= -1 )
sum += list[count];

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 Java
There are hundreds of high level computer
languages. Java, C++, C, Basic, Fortran,
Cobol, Lisp, Perl, Prolog, Eiffel, Python
The capabilities of the languages vary
widely, but they all need a way to do
– declarative statements
– conditional statements
– iterative or repetitive statements
A compiler is a program that converts
commands in high level languages to
machine language instructions
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 A Picture is Worth…
The output of the
compiler is .class
file

The Interpreter's are sometimes referred to as the Java Virtual

Machines
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 A Simple Java Program
public class Hello
{ public static void main(String[] args)
{ System.out.println("Hello World!");
}
}

This would be in a text file named Hello.java

DEMO of writing and running a program via notepad and
the command line

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 More Definitions
code or source code: The sequence of
instructions in a particular program.
– The code in this program instructs the computer to print a
message of Hello, world! on the screen.

output: The messages printed to the computer

user by a program.

console: The text box or window onto which output

is printed.

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 Compiling and Running
Compiler: a program that converts a program in
one language to another language
– compile from C++ to machine code
– compile Java to bytecode
Bytecode: a language for an imaginary cpu
Interpreter: A converts one instruction or line of
code from one language to another and then
executes that instruction
– When java programs are run the bytecode produced by
the compiler is fed to an interpreter that converts it to
machine code for a particular CPU
– on my machine it converts it to instructions for a Pentium
cpu

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 The command line
To run a Java program using
your Command Prompt:
source code
change to the directory (Hello.java)
of your program compile
cd
byte code
compile the program (Hello.class)
javac Hello.java
execute
execute the program
output
java Hello

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 Another Java program
public class Hello2 {
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println("Hello, world!");
System.out.println();
System.out.println("This program produces");
System.out.println("four lines of output");
}
}

The code in this program instructs the

computer to print four messages on the
screen.

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 Structure of Java programs
public class <name> {
public static void main(String[] args) {
<statement(s)>;
}
}
Every executable Java program consists of a
class...
– that contains a method named main...
• that contains the statements to be executed
The previous program is a class named
Hello, whose main method executes one
statement named System.out.println
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 Java terminology
class:
(a) A module that can contain executable code.
(b) A description of a type of objects. (seen later)
statement: An executable piece of code that
represents a complete command to the
computer.
– every basic Java statement ends with a
semicolon ;
method: A named sequence of statements
that can be executed together to perform a
particular action or computation.

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 Syntax and syntax errors
syntax: The set of legal structures and commands
that can be used in a particular programming
language.
syntax error or compiler error: A problem in the
structure of a program that causes the compiler to
fail.
– If you type your Java program incorrectly, you may
violate Java's syntax and see a syntax error.

public class Hello {

pooblic static void main(String[] args) {
System.owt.println("Hello, world!")_
}
}

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 Compiler Output
The program on the previous slide produces
the following output when we attempt to
compile it
compiler output:
H:\summer\Hello.java:2: <identifier> expected
pooblic static void main(String[] args) {
^
H:\summer\Hello.java:5: ';' expected
}
^
2 errors
Tool completed with exit code 1

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 Fixing syntax errors
 Notice how the error messages are sort of cryptic and do not
always help us understand what is wrong:
H:\summer\Hello.java:2: <identifier> expected
pooblic static void main(String[] args) {
^
– We'd have preferred a friendly message such as,
"You misspelled 'public' "

 The compiler does tell us the line number on which it found

the error, which helps us find the place to fix the code.
– The line number shown is a good hint, but is not always the true
source of the problem.

 Java has a fairly rigid syntax.

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 System.out.println
Java programs use a statement called
System.out.println to instruct the computer to
print a line of output on the console
– pronounced "print-linn"; sometimes called a println
statement for short

Two ways to use System.out.println :

– 1. System.out.println("<Message>");
• Prints the given message as a line of text on the console.

– 2. System.out.println();
• Prints a blank line on the console.

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 Strings and string literals
string: A sequence of text characters (not
just letters) that can be printed or
manipulated in a program.

literal: a representation of a value of a

particular type
– String literals in Java start and end with quotation
mark characters

"This is a string"
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 Details about Strings
 A string literal may not span across multiple lines.
"This is not
a legal String."

 A string may not contain a " character. ' is OK

"This is not a "legal" String either."
"This is 'okay' though."

 A string can represent certain special characters by

preceding them with a backslash \ (this is called an escape
sequence).
– \t tab character
– \n new line character
– \" quotation mark character
– \\ backslash character
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 Practice Program 1
What sequence of println statements will
generate the following output?

This program prints the first lines

of the song "slots".

"She lives in a trailer"

"On the outskirts 'a Reno"
"She plays quarter slots in the locals casino."

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 Practice Program 2
What sequence of println statements
will generate the following output?

A "quoted" String is
'much' better if you learn
the rules of "escape sequences."

Also, "" represents an empty String.

Don't forget to use \" instead of " !
'' is not the same as "

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 Practice Program 3
What is the output of the following println
statements?

System.out.println("\ta\tb\tc");
System.out.println("\\\\");
System.out.println("'");
System.out.println("\"\"\"");
System.out.println("C:\nin\the downward spiral");

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 Answer to Practice Program 3

Output of each println statement:

a b c
\\
'
"""
C:
in he downward spiral

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 Practice Program 4
Write a println statement to produce this
output:
/ \ // \\ /// \\\

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 Answer to Practice Program 4
println statement to produce the line of output:

System.out.println("/ \\ // \\\\ /// \\\\\\");

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 A structured example
 What sequence of println statements will generate the
following output?
_____
/ \
/ \
\ /  What observations can we make about the
\_____/ output that is generated?
_____  It has a noticeable structure.
/ \ (draw first figure, draw second figure,
/ \
| | draw third figure, ...)
| |
| |
\ /  The output contains redundancy. Certain
\_____/ figures (or large parts of figures) are
_____ repeated in the output.
/ \
/ \
+-------+
_____
/ \
/ \
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 Structured algorithms
 How does one bake sugar cookies?
– Mix the dry ingredients.
– Cream the butter and sugar.
– Beat in the eggs.
– Stir in the dry ingredients.
– Set the oven for the appropriate temperature.
– Set the timer.
– Place the cookies into the oven.
– Allow the cookies to bake.
– Mix the ingredients for the frosting.
– Spread frosting and sprinkles onto the cookies.
– ...

 Can we express this process in a more structured way?

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 A structured algorithm
 structured algorithm: A list of steps for solving a problem,
which is broken down into cohesive tasks.
 A structured algorithm for baking sugar cookies:
– 1. Make the cookie batter.
• Mix the dry ingredients.
• Cream the butter and sugar.
• Beat in the eggs.
• Stir in the dry ingredients.
– 2. Bake the cookies.
• Set the oven for the appropriate temperature.
• Set the timer.
• Place the cookies into the oven.
• Allow the cookies to bake.
– 3. Add frosting and sprinkles.
• Mix the ingredients for the frosting.
• Spread frosting and sprinkles onto the cookies.
– ...
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 Redundancy in algorithms
How would we express the steps to bake a double
batch of sugar cookies?
Unstructured: Structured:
 Mix the dry ingredients.  1. Make the cookie batter.
 Cream the butter and sugar.  2a. Bake the first batch of
 Beat in the eggs. cookies.
 Stir in the dry ingredients.  2b. Bake the second batch of
cookies.
 Set the oven ...
 3. Add frosting and sprinkles.
 Set the timer.
 Place the first batch of cookies
into the oven.  Observation: A structured
 Allow the cookies to bake. algorithm not only presents the
 Set the oven ... problem in a hierarchical way
 Set the timer. that is easier to understand, but
 Place the second batch of it also provides higher-level
cookies into the oven. operations which help eliminate
 Allow the cookies to bake. redundancy in the algorithm.
 Mix the ingredients for the
frosting.
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 Static methods
 static method: A group of statements that is given a name
so that it can be executed in our program.
– Breaking down a problem into static methods is also called
"procedural decomposition."

 Using a static method requires two steps:

– declare it (write down the recipe)
• When we declare a static method, we write a
group of statements and give it a name.
– call it (cook using the recipe)
• When we call a static method, we tell our main method
to execute the statements in that static method.

 Static methods are useful for:

– denoting the structure of a larger program in smaller, more
understandable pieces
– eliminating redundancy through reuse

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 Static method syntax
 The structure of a static method:
public class <Class Name> {

public static void <Method name> () {

<statements>;
}

}
 Example:
public static void printCheer() {
System.out.println(“Three cheers for Pirates!");
System.out.println(“Huzzah!");
System.out.println(“Huzzah!");
System.out.println(“Huzzah!");
}

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 Static methods example
public class TwoMessages {
public static void main(String[] args) {
printCheer();
System.out.println();
printCheer();
}

public static void printCheer() {

System.out.println(“Three cheers for Pirates!");
System.out.println(“Huzzah!");
System.out.println(“Huzzah!");
System.out.println(“Huzzah!");
}
}
Program's output:

Three cheers for Pirates!

Huzzah!
Huzzah!
Huzzah!

Three cheers for Pirates!

Huzzah!
Huzzah!
Huzzah!
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 Methods calling each other
 One static method may call another:
public class TwelveDays {
public static void main(String[] args) {
day1();
day2();
}

public static void day1() {

System.out.println("A partridge in a pear tree.");
}

public static void day2() {

System.out.println("Two turtle doves, and");
day1();
}
}

Program's output:
A partridge in a pear tree.
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.
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 Control flow of methods
When a method is called, a Java program 'jumps'
into that method, executes all of its statements, and
then 'jumps' back to where it started.
public class TwelveDays {
public static void main(String[] args) {
day1();

public static void day1() {

day2(); System.out.println("A partridge in a pear tree.");
}

}
public static void day2() {
System.out.println("Two turtle doves, and");

day1();

} }

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 Static method problems
 Write a program that prints the following output to the console. Use
static methods as appropriate.
I do not like green eggs and ham,
I do not like them, Sam I am!
I do not like them on boat,
I do not like them with a goat.
I do not like green eggs and ham,
I do not like them, Sam I am!

 Write a program that prints the following output to the console. Use
static methods as appropriate.
Lollipop, lollipop
Oh, lolli lolli lolli

Lollipop, lollipop
Oh, lolli lolli lolli
Call my baby lollipop

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 When to use static methods
 You should place a group of statements into a static method
if any of the following conditions is met:
– The statements are related to each other and form a combined part
of the program's structure.
– The statements are repeated in the program.
 You need not create static methods for the following:
– Individual statements.
(One single println in its own static method does not improve the
program, and may make it harder to read.)
– Unrelated or weakly related statements.
(If the statements are not closely related, consider splitting the
method into two or more smaller methods.)
– Only blank lines.
(It's fine to have blank System.out.println(); statements in the
main method.)
 Remember, these are guidelines!

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 Identifiers
identifier: A name that we give to a piece of data or
part of a program.
– Identifiers are useful because they allow us to refer to
that data or code later in the program.
– Identifiers give names to:
• classes
• methods
• variables (named pieces of data; seen later)

The name you give to a static method is an

example of an identifier.
– What are some other example identifier we've seen?

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 Details about identifiers
 Java identifier names:
– first character must a letter or _ or $
– following characters can be any of those characters or a number
– identifiers are case-sensitive; name is different from Name

 Example Java identifiers:

– legal:olivia second_place _myName
TheCure ANSWER_IS_42 $variable

– illegal:me+u :-) question?

side-swipe hi there ph.d
belles's 2%milk
kelly@yahoo.com

• explain why each of the above identifiers is not legal.

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 Keywords
 keyword: An identifier that you cannot use, because it already has a reserved
meaning in the Java language.

 Complete list of Java keywords:

abstract default if private this
boolean do implements protected throw
break double import public throws
byte else instanceof return transient
case extends int short try
catch final interface static void
char finally long strictfp volatile
class float native super while
const for new switch
continue goto package synchronized

 You may not use char or while or this or any other keyword for the name of
a class or method; Java reserves those words to mean other things.
– You could use CHAR, While, or ThIs, because Java is case-sensitive. However, this
could be confusing and is not recommended.

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 Comments
 comment: A note written in the source code by the
programmer to make the code easier to understand.
– Comments are not executed when your program runs.
– Most Java editors turn your comments a special color to make it
easier to identify them.

 Comment, general syntax:

/* <comment text; may span multiple lines> */
or,
// <comment text, on one line>
 Examples:
– /* A comment goes here. */
– /* It can even span
multiple lines. */
– // This is a one-line comment.

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 Using comments
 Comments can be put in many standard places.
– Most all programs have a "comment header" at the top of each file,
naming the author and explaining what the program does.
– Most programmers also place a comment at the start of every
method, describing the method's behaviour.
– Lastly, we can use comments inside methods to explain particular
pieces of code.

 Comments provide important documentation.

– At this stage in our learning, it is not very useful to write comments,
because we only know println statements.
– More complicated programs span hundreds or thousands of lines,
and it becomes very difficult to remember what each method is
doing. Comments provide a simple description.
– When multiple programmers work together, comments help one
programmer understand the other's code.

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 Comments example
/* Olivia Scott
CS 305j, Fall 2006
This program prints lyrics from a song! */
public class PartOfSong {
/* Runs the overall program to print the song
on the console. */
public static void main(String[] args) {
displayVerse();

// Separate the two verses with a blank line

System.out.println();

displayVerse();
}

// Displays the first verse of song.

public static void displayVerse() {
System.out.println("The road goes on forever,");
System.out.println("And the party never ends!");
}
}

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 How to comment: methods
 Write a comment at the top of each of your methods that explains what the
method does.
– You do not need to describe the Java syntax and statements in detail,
but merely provide a short English description of the observed
behavior when the method is run.
– Example:
// This method prints the lyrics to the first verse
// of the TV theme song to the Fresh Prince of Bellaire.
// Blank lines separate the parts of the verse.
public static void verse1() {
System.out.println("Now this is the story all about how");
System.out.println("My life got flipped turned upside-down");
System.out.println();
System.out.println("And I'd like to take a minute,");
System.out.println("just sit right there");
System.out.println("I'll tell you how I became the prince");
System.out.println("of a town called Bel-Air");
}

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