Java Overview

As in all the other computer programming languages, the elements of Java do not exist in isolation. Rather they work together to form the language as a whole.

Yet, this interrelatedness can make it difficult to describe one view of Java without involving the several others. Sometimes a discussion of one feature implies prior knowledge of another. For this cause, this tutorial presents a quick overview of several key features of Java. Let's start with OOP.

Object-Oriented Programming

Object-oriented programming (OOP) is at the core of Java. In fact, all the Java programs are to at least some extent object oriented. OOP is thus integral to Java that it is best to understand its basic principles before you begin writing even simple Java programs.

Two Paradigms

All computer programs consist of the two elements i.e., code and data. Moreover, a program can be organized around its code or around its data in a conceptual manner i.e., some programs are written around "what's going on ?" and other programs are written about "who's being affected ?". These are the two paradigms that govern how a program is constructed. The first style is called as the process-oriented-model. This approach characterized a program as a series of one-dimensional steps i.e., code. The process-oriented model can be supposed of as code acting on data.

To manage increasing complexity, the second approach is called as object-oriented-programming, was conceived. Object-oriented programming organizes a program around its data, objects and a set of well defined interfaces to that data. An object-oriented program can be described as data controlling access to the code.

Abstraction

An crucial element of object-oriented programming is abstraction. Humans manage complexity through the abstraction.

A powerful way to manage abstraction, by the use of hierarchical classifications. This allows you to layer the linguistics of complex systems, breaking them into more manageable pieces.

The Three OOP Principles

All the object-oriented programming languages provide mechanisms which helps you to implement the object-oriented model. Examples are encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism.

Encapsulation

Encapsulation is the process which binds together the code and the data it manipulates, and keeps both safe from the outside interference and misuse. One way to guess about encapsulation is as a protective wrapper that prevents the code and the data from being arbitrarily accessed by the other code that defined outside the wrapper. Access to the code and data inside the wrapper is tightly controlled by a well-defined interface.

Inheritance

Inheritance is the process by which one object adopts the properties of another objects. This is important because it supports the concept of hierarchical classification.

Polymorphism

Polymorphism (from Greek, meaning "many forms") is a characteristic which allows one interface to be used for a general class of actions. The particular action is decided by the exact nature of the situation.

Polymorphism, Encapsulation, and Inheritance Work Together

When properly applied, polymorphism, encapsulation, and inheritance put together to produce a programming environment that supports the development of far more robust and scalable programs which does the process-oriented model.

A well-designed hierarchy of classes is the basis of reusing the code in which you have invested the time and effort in developing and testing. Encapsulation allows you to migrate your implementations over the time without breaking the code that depends on the public interface of your classes. Polymorphism lets you to create code readable, clean, sensible, and resilient.

A First Simple Program

Now that the basic of object-oriented support of Java has been discussed. Now let's look at the simple Java program:

/* Java Overview - Example Program */

public class JavaProgram
{
    /* A Java Program Begins with a call to main() */
    
    public static void main(String args[])
    {
        
        System.out.println("This is a Simple Java Program.");
        
    }
}

When the above Java program is compile and executed, it will produce the following output:

In next chapter, you will learn how to setup environment for Java programming to compile and run Java programs.

Java Online Test