Blog - Get Started with Java

20: Nov

Get Started with Java

All I can say is that java is everywhere … You might as well start learning and coding in java …

What is Java ?

JAVA is a programming language designed to take advantage of the distributed environment of the Internet; you may not know this, java is an invisible force behind so many of the applications and devices that power our day-to-day lives. From mobile phones to handheld devices, games and navigation systems to e-business solutions, Java is everywhere :)

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/overview/javahistory-index-198355.html

http://searchsoa.techtarget.com/definition/Java

What are java key promises?

Portability, Works everywhere and with everything, interoperability, Cloud, Easy to use and learn.Java can easily be characterised by using the following buzzwords:Simple, Object Orientated, Distributed, Multithreaded, Dynamic, Portable, Robust, High performance, Architecture neutral, and secure.

https://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/getStarted/intro/definition.html

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/langenv-140151.html

How is the language maintained? …

The international java community develops and evolves Java technology specification using the Java community Process. The JCP produces high quality specifications using an inclusive; consensus based approach that produces a specification, a Reference Implementation (To prove technology can be implemented) and a technology compatibility (a suite of tests, tools and documentations that is used to test implementation for compliance with the specification)

https://jcp.org/en/procedures/jcp2

https://www.jcp.org/en/home/index

What do I need to run first piece of java code …

Understand the process first !!!

Step 1: All code is written in plain text file ending with .java extension.

Step 2: Those files are compiled (by the compiler) into file with .class extension.

NB : a class contains bytecodes (machine language of java virtual machine), no code native to processor are included.

Step 3: Java launcher tool then run the application with an instance of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).

To code faster you will need an IDE (Integrated development Environment) like Eclipse (https://eclipse.org/downloads/packages/all ) or Netbeans.( https://netbeans.org/downloads/) they both usually get shipped with a JDK

https://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/getStarted/intro/definition.html

Example of a running piece of java code

package za.co.africomgroup.academy.basics;
/**
*
* @author Jordy Mugeni
* www.africomgroup.co.za
*
*/
public class Customer {

    private String name;
    private String surname;
    private String address;

    /**
     * Default Constructor
     */
    public Customer() {
    }

    /**
     * Overloaded constructor
     *
     * @param name
     * @param surname
     * @param address
     */
    public Customer(String name, String surname, String address) {
        this.name = name;
        this.surname = surname;
        this.address = address;
    }
    /**
     * Used to display the customer's address
     */
    public void displayAddress() {

System.out.println("Address : " + this.address);
}

    /**
     * Used to return the customer's full Name.
     *
     * @return
     */
    public String getFullName() {

return this.name + " " + surname;
}

    /**
     * @param args
     */
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Customer cust = new Customer("Jordy", "Mugeni", "Johannesburg South Africa!!!");
        // display cust's address
        System.out.println("The clients address is");
        cust.displayAddress();
        //Display cust's full name
        System.out.println("Customer's full Name : " + cust.getFullName());
    }
}