Chapter summary
The book is divided into two parts – Part I introduces Java and covers
the fundamentals of object-oriented programming (OOP) and programming-in-the-small.
By the end of Chapter 7, you will be able to write complete Java applications
consisting of several classes interacting via data and method accesses.
Part II builds on this foundation by extending the coverage of objects
and introducing GUI, applets, networks, Java’s connection mechanisms to
databases and data structures.
Chapter 1 Introduction
All about Java on the web using a multimedia presentation on nature conservation
with images and applets. A description of how Java software is developed
via the software components of a typical computer (editor, compiler and
so on) plus an introduction to the diagrammatic notations used in the book
and how to use the Java Development System, which is available free from
Sun.
Chapter 2 Simple programs
Introduction to Java via two starter programs; fundamentals of classes
and objects; all about printing and assignment. Examples involving output
and the use of some Java classes such as Locale.
Chapter 3 Structuring
The objective of this chapter is to reach a point where programs can be
written which do more than a human would be prepared to do! The areas covered
are: Java primitive types, counting loops, methods and parameters. Either
side of these, there are sections on how to design good programs, and an
introduction to the class diagram notation which is used extensively hereafter.
A case study that uses multiple classes and objects is used to bring all
these points together and to illustrate the class notation in action.
Chapter 4 Changing the state
Following naturally on from Chapters 2 and 3, we add facilities to read
data, and to make decisions that change the path of a program, either by
means of selection statements or by means of exceptions. Exceptions have
to be done at this point, because they are intimately bound up with the
way input is handled in Java.
Chapter 5 Controlling the flow
The last two control structures are discussed – conditional loops and switching.
Conditional looping is one of the areas of programming that can be profitably
studied at length, and two sections are devoted to loop design. The chapter
ends with an interactive game case study which illustrates most of which
has gone be-fore.
Chapter 6 Arrays and tables
To complete Java’s programming-in-the-small capabilities, we consider arrays
and their applications. The two array-like classes – String and Hashtable
– are also discussed in detail and there is an explanation of sorting.
Chapter 7 Formatting
To complete Java’s programming-in-the-small capabilities, we consider arrays
and their applications. The two array-like classes – String and Hashtable
– are also discussed in detail and there is an explanation of sorting.
Chapter 8 Objects at work
This chapter centres around a case study of an inventory program, looking
at dynamically created objects, linked lists and the rules about objects
which Java’s strict classing enforces.
Chapter 9 Abstraction and inheritance
Java’s approach to inheritance is covered with genuine working examples.
The chapter discusses interfaces as a really useful alternative to multiple
inheritance, and shows how abstract classes are used. Potentially difficult
subjects of refer-ences and cloning are covered in detail, with diagrams.
Chapter 10 Graphical user interfaces
We assume that the student has not encountered GUI programming before and
therefore needs to be introduced gently to the different components such
as buttons, text fields, frames and canvases. Each new feature is introduced
with an example.
Chapter 11 Event-driven programming
Event-driven programming is treated seriously as a separate topic, and
the chapter winds up with a case study of a supermarket till.
Chapter 12 Applets in action
The transition from applications to applets can now be smoothly achieved.
The steps for converting applications are given, as well as guidelines
for developing applets from scratch. How to add multimedia excitement of
sound and images is covered, and the nature conservation system shown in
Chapter 1 can now be dissected and explained.
Chapter 13 Networking
Java’s networking facilities are extensive and novel, so this is one of
the longest chapters in the book. It starts by looking at URL (universal
resource locator) connections, moves on to threads and synchronization,
and ends up with socket programming. There are seven different examples
as well as a case study of a chat system.
Chapter 14 Database and remote connections
Chapter 15 Algorithms and data structures
This looks at two searching and two sorting algorithms (including Quicksort)
and gives an introduction to performance estimation. Classes for stacks
(from Java), queues, linked lists and bit sets (from Java again) are then
presented with in-depth examples.