09 April 2004

Learning Java Programming

Rocky Wenz
sas.z.thepilgrim@xoxy.net

Introduction

Have you ever wanted a butler? You know what a butler does, right? A butler does the routine chores that are boring and repetitive. Well, on a computer, that is what a program can do. And if you knew a programming language, and had the equipment to create a program using that language, you could get those repetitive tasks done that no-one else has written a program to do.

Why Java?

Java represents just about the state-of-the-art in programming languages. Creating a program tends to be faster in Java than most other languages. It also forces one to think in terms of creating objects. And everything you need to use Java can be gotten inexpensively or free.

In fact, the textbook I will be basing this column on is available for free on the World Wide Web. Go to http://mindview.net/Books and click on the link titled "Electronic book: Thinking in Java, 3rd Edition." The book is available as a series of HTML pages, which means you can probably use the same browser you are using to read this to read the book. However, unlike the book, I will not be assuming any programming background.

During this column, I will attempt to introduce you to the way one thinks when programming in Java. I will try to keep it simple and step by step, without too much jargon. What jargon I will be using, I will give definitions for. I will give short, simple examples of the things being taught. We will also get into the 'nuts and bolts' of Java programming, but I will try to keep this to the stuff you are more likely to need or that is important. This column will attempt to, "build a model in your head," that allows you to take an idea for a program and figure out how it would be programmed in Java.

Lastly, each installment will include exercises. Doing the exercises will help to learn the material. And here is the first series of exercises:

Exercises

1. Download and install the book, "Thinking in Java, Third Edition." Read the file readme.txt and then open the book and read the Introduction, starting at the subheading "Goals" thru the description of chapter 2. Then skip down to the subheading "Coding standards" and read thru to the end of the Introduction. Extra credit: install the examples also.

2. Think of something you think the computer could do, but it doesn't at the moment. Keep it simple. Write down a general description of this.