Java Tokens
In Java, Tokens are the smallest elements of a program that is meaningful to the
compiler. They are also known as the fundamental building blocks of the program.
Tokens can be classified as follows:
1. Keywords
2. Identifiers
3. Constants/Literals
4. Operators
5. Separators
1. Keyword
Keywords are pre-defined or reserved words in a programming language. Each
keyword is meant to perform a specific function in a program. Since keywords are
referred names for a compiler, they can’t be used as variable names because by
doing so, we are trying to assign a new meaning to the keyword which is not
allowed. Java language supports the following keywords:
abstract assert boolean
break byte case
catch char class
const continue default
do double else
enum exports extends
final finally float
for goto if
implements import instanceof
int interface long
module native new
open opens package
private protected provides
public requires return
short static strictfp
super switch synchronized
this throw throws
to transient transitive
try uses void
volatile while with
2. Identifiers
Identifiers are used as the general terminology for naming of variables, functions
and arrays. These are user-defined names consisting of an arbitrarily long sequence
of letters and digits with either a letter or the underscore (_) as a first character.
Identifier names must differ in spelling and case from any keywords. You cannot use
keywords as identifiers; they are reserved for special use. Once declared, you can
use the identifier in later program statements to refer to the associated value. A
special kind of identifier, called a statement label, can be used in goto
statements. Examples of valid identifiers:
MyVariable
MYVARIABLE
myvariable
x
i
x1
i1
_myvariable
$myvariable
sum_of_array
geeks123
Examples of invalid identifiers:
My Variable // contains a space
123geeks // Begins with a digit
a+c // plus sign is not an alphanumeric character
variable-2 // hyphen is not an alphanumeric character
sum_&_difference // ampersand is not an alphanumeric character
3. Constants/Literals
Constants are also like normal variables. But the only difference is, their values
cannot be modified by the program once they are defined. Constants refer to fixed
values. They are also called as literals. Constants may belong to any of the data
type. Syntax:
final data_type variable_name;
1
import java.io.*;
2
3
class GFG {
4
public static void main (String[] args) {
5
6
// Here final keyword is used
7
// to define the constant PI
8
final double PI = 3.14; // Use double instead of int
9
10
// Example usage of PI
11
System.out.println("The value of PI is: " + PI);
12
}
13
}
Output
The value of PI is: 3.14
4. Operators
Java provides many types of operators which can be used according to the need.
They are classified based on the functionality they provide. Some of the types are-
Arithmetic Operators
Unary Operators
Assignment Operator
Relational Operators
Logical Operators
Ternary Operator
Bitwise Operators
Shift Operators
instance of operator
Precedence and Associativity
5. Separators
Separators are used to separate different parts of the codes. It tells the compiler
about completion of a statement in the program. The most commonly and
frequently used separator in java is semicolon (;).
int variable; //here the semicolon (;) ends the declaration of the variable
1
import java.io.*;
2
3
class GFG {
4
public static void main (String[] args) {
5
6
//Here the semicolon (;) used to
7
// end the print statement
8
System.out.println("GFG!");
9
}
10
}
