Chapter 2.1 : Java Basic Syntax

When we consider a Java program it can be defined as a collection of objects that communicate via invoking each other's methods. Let us now briefly look into what do class, object, methods and instance variables mean.

·         Object - Objects have states and behaviors. Example: A dog has states - color, name, breed as well as behaviors -wagging, barking, eating. An object is an instance of a class.

·         Class - A class can be defined as a template/ blue print that describes the behaviors/states that object of its type support.

·         Methods - A method is basically a behavior. A class can contain many methods. It is in methods where the logics are written, data is manipulated and all the actions are executed.

·         Instance Variables - Each object has its unique set of instance variables. An object's state is created by the values assigned to these instance variables.

First Java Program:

Let us look at a simple code that would print the words Hello World.

public class MyFirstJavaProgram {

   /* This is my first java program. 

    * This will print 'Hello World' as the output

    */

    public static void main(String []args) {

       System.out.println("Hello World"); // prints Hello World

    }

}

Let's look at how to save the file, compile and run the program. Please follow the steps given below:

·         Open notepad and add the code as above.

·         Save the file as: MyFirstJavaProgram.java.

·         Open a command prompt window and go o the directory where you saved the class. Assume it's C:\.

·         Type ' javac MyFirstJavaProgram.java ' and press enter to compile your code. If there are no errors in your code, the command prompt will take you to the next line (Assumption : The path variable is set).

·         Now, type ' java MyFirstJavaProgram ' to run your program.

·         You will be able to see ' Hello World ' printed on the window.

C : > javac MyFirstJavaProgram.java

C : > java MyFirstJavaProgram

Hello World

Basic Syntax:

About Java programs, it is very important to keep in mind the following points.

·         Case Sensitivity - Java is case sensitive, which means identifier Hello and hello would have different meaning in Java.

·         Class Names – For all class names the first letter should be in Upper Case.

Example class MyFirstJavaClass

·         Method Names - All method names should start with a Lower Case letter.

Example public void myMethodName()

·         Program File Name - Name of the program file should exactly match the class name.

When saving the file, you should save it using the class name (Remember Java is case sensitive) and append '.java' to the end of the name.

Example : Assume 'MyFirstJavaProgram' is the class name. Then the file should be saved as'MyFirstJavaProgram.java'

·         public static void main(String args[]) - Java program processing starts from the main() method which is a mandatory part of every Java program.

Java Identifiers:

All Java components require names. Names used for classes, variables and methods are called identifiers.

In Java, there are several points to remember about identifiers. They are as follows:

·         All identifiers should begin with a letter (A to Z or a to z), currency character ($) or an underscore (_).

·         After the first character identifiers can have any combination of characters.

·         A key word cannot be used as an identifier.

·         Most importantly identifiers are case sensitive.

·         Examples of legal identifiers: age, $salary, _value, __1_value

·         Examples of illegal identifiers: 123abc, -salary