Chapter One - Introduction to Computers, the Internet,
and the World Wide Web
It was a dark a stormy night. Suddenly, a shot rang out.
No wait. Chapter One is a mixed bag. We’re gonna
gloss right over Computers, the Internet, and the World
Wide Web. The main thing we get out of this chapter is
how to install and run Java. We do the following:
- Install the SDK (Software Devolopment Kit)
- Make sure java.exe runs. Modify the
PATH variable if needed.
- Make sure javac.exe runs. Modify the
PATH variable if needed.
- Make sure the CLASSPATH
variable is set correctly.
Chapter Two - Introduction to Java Applications
This chapter is an introduction to basic programming
concepts.
- Write our first “Hello World,” er,
“Welcome1” progam.
- Generate our first (of many) Java error messages.
- Learn about Java comments and program readability.
- Learn Java naming conventions.
- Learn about the “main” method which
drives every Java application.
- Learn some useful Java library elements such as
System.out and Scanner.
- Learn about variables in Java and how we use them
to store values.
- Learn about arithmatic and logical operators.
Chapter Three - Introduction to Classes and Objects
This chapter is an introduction to the basic use of
objects that we’ll use throughout the course.
- Declaring and creating objects
- Invoking methods on objects.
- Using “getters” and “setters.”
- More of the Java library, or API (Application Programmer
Interface).
- Floating point numbers.
- Simple Dialog boxes (just a little GUI).
Exercises
In order to reinforce the principles you’ve learned
in these chapters, I’m asking you to do the following
programming exercises. Neither of them require any knowledge
of Java beyond what was covered in the first three chapters.