Java Programming for Beginners
By Krishna Rungta
Copyright 2018 - All Rights Reserved – Krishna Rungta
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted
in any form whatsoever, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying,
recording, or by any informational storage or retrieval system without express
written, dated and signed permission from the author.
Table Of Content
Chapter 1: Introduction to Java Platform
Chapter 2: Introduction to Java Virtual Machine (JVM)
Chapter 3: Guide to Download & Install Java
Chapter 4: First Java Program
Chapter 5: Evolution of Programming Languages
Chapter 6: What is Data Abstraction in OOPS?
Chapter 7: What is Encapsulation?
Chapter 8: Variables & Primitive Data Types
Chapter 9: How to Design A Class?
Chapter 10: Arrays
Chapter 11: How to Create Array of Objects in Java
Chapter 12: How to use ArrayList in Java
Chapter 13: Java String Manipulation
Chapter 14: String Length() Method
Chapter 15: String indexOf() Method
Chapter 16: String charAt() Method
Chapter 17: String compareTo() Method in Java
Chapter 18: String contains() Method
Chapter 19: String endsWith() Method
Chapter 20: Java String replace(), replaceFirst() and replaceAll() Method
Chapter 21: Java String toLowercase() and toUpperCase() Methods
Chapter 22: How to convert a Java String to Integer?
Chapter 23: Working with HashMaps in Java
Chapter 24: Command Line Arguments
Chapter 25: "this" keyword
Chapter 26: Garbage Collection
Chapter 27: Static variable
Chapter 28: Stack & Heap
Chapter 29: Inheritance in Java OOPs with Example
Chapter 30: Polymorphism in Java OOPs with Example
Chapter 31: Abstract Class Method
Chapter 32: Interface
Chapter 33: Constructors
Chapter 34: Packages
Chapter 35: Try Catch in Java: Exception Handling
Chapter 36: User Defined Exceptions
Chapter 37: Exception Propagation
Chapter 38: Interesting trick with For Loop – Using the Foreach loop in Java
Chapter 39: Java switch Statement
Chapter 40: How Maths become easy with Java
Chapter 41: How to Generate Random Number in Java
Chapter 42: How to use Date in Java
Chapter 43: Multithreading in Java
Chapter 44: Creating Graphical User Interface
Chapter 45: How to Split a String in Java
Chapter 46: How to use Buffered Reader in Java
Chapter 47: Learn Java Reflection API
Chapter 1: Introduction to Java Platform
What is Java?
Java is a programming language and a computing platform for application
development. It was first released by Sun Microsystem in 1995 and later acquired by
Oracle Corporation. It is one of the most used programming languages.
What is Java Platform?
Java platform is a collection of programs that help to develop and run programs
written in the Java programming language. Java platform includes an execution
engine, a compiler, and a set of libraries. JAVA is platform-independent language. It is
not specific to any processor or operating system.
To understand JAVA programming language, we need to understand some basic
concept of how a computer program can run a command and execute the action.
What is PC?
A computer is an electronic device capable of performing computations, and we all
know that it is composed of a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and memory to store
information. But the most important component of the computer is a PROCESSOR.
Which does all thinking of computer, but the question is how the computer does this
thinking? How does it understand text, images, videos, etc.?
What is Assembly Language?
The computer is an electronic device, and it can only understand electronic signals or
binary signals. For example, the 5-volt electronic signal may represent binary number
1 while 0 volts may represent binary number 0. So your PC is continuously
bombarded with these signals.
Eight bits of such signals are group together to interpret Text, numerical and
symbols.
For example, the # symbol is identified by computer as 10101010. Similarly, the
pattern for adding a function is represented by 10000011.
This is known as 8-bit computing. Current day processor is capable of decoding 64-bit
time. But what is the relation of this concept with the programming language JAVA?
Let understand these as an example.
Suppose if you want to tell the computer to add two number (1+2) which is
represented by some binary numbers (10000011), how are you going to tell the
computer? Yes, we going to use assembly language to get our code executed.
We are going to give the command to a computer in this format as shown below.
Your code to add two numbers in this language would be in this order.
• Store number 1 at memory location say A
• Store number 2 at memory location say B
• Add contents of Location A & B
• Store results
But how are we going to do this? Back in 1950's when computers were huge and
consumed a great deal of power, you would convert your assembly code into
corresponding machine code to 1 and 0's using mapping sheets. Later this code will
be punched into the machine cards and feed to the computer. The computer will
read these code and execute the program. These would be a long process then until
ASSEMBLER came to help.
What are Assembler and Compiler?
With the advancement in technology i/o devices were invented, you could directly
type your program into the PC using a program called ASSEMBLER. It converts it into
corresponding machine code (110001..) and feeds to your processor. So coming back
to our example addition of (1+2), the assembler will convert this code into machine
code and give the output.
That apart, you will also have to make calls to create Operating System provided
functions to display the output of the code.
But alone assembler is not involved in this whole process; it also requires the
compiler to compile the long code into a small chunk of codes. With advancement in
software development languages, this entire assembly code could shrink into just
one line print f 1+2 A with the help of software called COMPILER. It is used to
convert your c language code into assembly code, and the assembler converts it into
corresponding machine code, and this machine code will be transmitted to the
processor. The most common processor used in PC or Computers are Intel processor.
Though present-day compilers come bundled with assembler can directly convert
your higher language code into machine code.
Now, suppose Windows operating system is running on this Intel processor, a
combination of Operating System plus the processor is called the PLATFORM. The
most common platform in the world is the Windows, and Intel called the Wintel
Platform. The other popular platforms are AMD and Linux, Power PC, and Mac OS X.
Now, with a change in processor, the assembly instructions will also change. For
example the
• Add instruction in Intel may be called ADDITION for AMD
• OR Math ADD for Power PC
And obviously, with a change in Operating System, the level and nature of O.S level
calls will also change.
As a developer, I want my software program to work on all platforms available, to
maximize my revenues. So I would have to buy separate compilers which convert my
print f command into the native machine code.
But compilers come expensive, and there is a chance of compatibility issues. So
buying and installing a separate compiler for different O.S and processor is not
feasible. So, what can be an alternative solution? Enter Java language.
How Java Virtual Machine works?
By using Java Virtual Machine, this problem can be solved. But how it works on
different processors and O.S. Let's understand this process step by step.
Step 1) The code to display addition of two numbers is System.out.println(1+2), and
saved as .java file.
Step 2) Using the java compiler the code is converted into an intermediate code
called the bytecode. The output is a .class file.
Step 3) This code is not understood by any platform, but only a virtual platform
called the Java Virtual Machine.
Step 4) This Virtual Machine resides in the RAM of your operating system. When the
Virtual Machine is fed with this bytecode, it identifies the platform it is working on
and converts the bytecode into the native machine code.
In fact, while working on your PC or browsing the web whenever you see either of
these icons be assured the java virtual machine is loaded into your RAM. But what
makes java lucrative is that code once compiled can run not only on all PC platforms
but also mobiles or other electronic gadgets supporting java.
How is Java Platform Independent?
Like C compiler, Java compiler does not produce native executable code for a
particular machine. Instead, Java produces a unique format called bytecode. It
executes according to the rules laid out in the virtual machine specification.
Bytecode is understandable to any JVM installed on any OS. In short, the java source
code can run on all operating systems.
Chapter 2: Introduction to Java Virtual Machine
(JVM)
What is JVM?
JVM is a engine that provides runtime environment to drive the Java Code or
applications. It converts Java bytecode into machines language. JVM is a part of
JRE(Java Run Environment). It stands for Java Virtual Machine
• In other programming languages, the compiler produces machine code for a
particular system. However, Java compiler produces code for a Virtual
Machine known as Java Virtual Machine.
• First, Java code is complied into bytecode. This bytecode gets interpreted on
different machines
• Between host system and Java source, Bytecode is an intermediary language.
• JVM is responsible for allocating memory space.
JVM Architecture
Let's understand the Architecture of JVM. It contains classloader, memory area,
execution engine etc.
1) ClassLoader
The class loader is a subsystem used for loading class files. It performs three major
functions viz. Loading, Linking, and Initialization.
2) Method Area
JVM Method Area stores class structures like metadata, the constant runtime pool,
and the code for methods.
3) Heap
All the Objects, their related instance variables, and arrays are stored in the heap.
This memory is common and shared across multiple threads.
4) JVM language Stacks
Java language Stacks store local variables, and it’s partial results. Each thread has its
own JVM stack, created simultaneously as the thread is created. A new frame is
created whenever a method is invoked, and it is deleted when method invocation
process is complete.
5) PC Registers
PC register store the address of the Java virtual machine instruction which is
currently executing. In Java, each thread has its separate PC register.
6) Native Method Stacks
Native method stacks hold the instruction of native code depends on the native
library. It is written in another language instead of Java.
7) Execution Engine
It is a type of software used to test hardware, software, or complete systems. The
test execution engine never carries any information about the tested product.
8) Native Method interface
The Native Method Interface is a programming framework. It allows Java code which
is running in a JVM to call by libraries and native applications.
9) Native Method Libraries
Native Libraries is a collection of the Native Libraries(C, C++) which are needed by the
Execution Engine.
Software Code Compilation & Execution process
In order to write and execute a software program, you need the following
1) Editor – To type your program into, a notepad could be used for this
2) Compiler – To convert your high language program into native machine code
3) Linker – To combine different program files reference in your main program
together.
4) Loader – To load the files from your secondary storage device like Hard Disk, Flash
Drive, CD into RAM for execution. The loading is automatically done when you
execute your code.
5) Execution – Actual execution of the code which is handled by your OS &
processor.
With this background, refer the following video & learn the working and architecture
of the Java Virtual Machine.
C code Compilation and Execution process
To understand the Java compiling process in Java. Let's first take a quick look to
compiling and linking process in C.
Suppose in the main, you have called two function f1 and f2. The main function is
stored in file a1.c.
Function f1 is stored in a file a2.c
Function f2 is stored in a file a3.c
All these files, i.e., a1.c, a2.c, and a3.c, is fed to the compiler. Whose output is the
corresponding object files which are the machine code.
The next step is integrating all these object files into a single .exe file with the help of
linker. The linker will club all these files together and produces the .exe file.
During program run, a loader program will load a.exe into the RAM for the execution.
Java code Compilation and Execution in Java VM
Let's look at the process for JAVA. In your main, you have two methods f1 and f2.
• The main method is stored in file a1.java
• f1 is stored in a file as a2.java
• f2 is stored in a file as a3.java
The compiler will compile the three files and produces 3 corresponding .class file
which consists of BYTE code. Unlike C, no linking is done.
The Java VM or Java Virtual Machine resides on the RAM. During execution, using the
class loader the class files are brought on the RAM. The BYTE code is verified for any
security breaches.
Next, the execution engine will convert the Bytecode into Native machine code. This
is just in time compiling. It is one of the main reason why Java is comparatively slow.
NOTE: JIT or Just-in-time compiler is the part of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). It
interprets part of the Byte Code that has similar functionality at the same time.
Why is Java both Interpreted and Compiled Language?
Programming languages are classified as
• Higher Level Language Ex. C++, Java
• Middle-Level Languages Ex. C
• Low-Level Language Ex Assembly
• finally the lowest level as the Machine Language.
A compiler is a program which converts a program from one level of language to
another. Example conversion of C++ program into machine code.
The java compiler converts high-level java code into bytecode (which is also a type of
machine code).
An interpreter is a program which converts a program at one level to another
programming language at the same level. Example conversion of Java program into
C++
In Java, the Just In Time Code generator converts the bytecode into the native
machine code which are at the same programming levels.
Hence, Java is both compiled as well as interpreted language.
Why is Java slow?
The two main reasons behind the slowness of Java are
1. Dynamic Linking: Unlike C, linking is done at run-time, every time the program
is run in Java.
2. Run-time Interpreter: The conversion of byte code into native machine code
is done at run-time in Java which furthers slows down the speed
However, the latest version of Java has addressed the performance bottlenecks to a
great extent.
Summary:
• JVM or Java Virtual Machine is the engine that drives the Java Code. It
converts Java bytecode into machines language.
• In JVM, Java code is compiled to bytecode. This bytecode gets interpreted on
different machines
• JIT or Just-in-time compiler is the part of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). It is
used to speed up the execution time
• In comparison to other compiler machines, Java may be slow in execution.
