Java Programming Theory - Test Preparation Notes
1. Method in Java
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A method in Java is a block of code that performs a specific task. It is used to define the behavior of
a class.
Syntax:
returnType methodName(parameters) {
// method body
Example:
public int add(int a, int b) {
return a + b;
Full Example in a Class:
public class Calculator {
// Method to add two numbers
public int add(int a, int b) {
return a + b;
// Main method to run the program
public static void main(String[] args) {
Calculator calc = new Calculator(); // Create an object of Calculator
int result = calc.add(5, 3); // Call the add method
System.out.println("Sum: " + result); // Print the result
Output:
Sum: 8
2. Inheritance in Java
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Inheritance is a fundamental concept in Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) that allows one class
(child or subclass)
to inherit the properties and behaviors (fields and methods) of another class (parent or superclass).
It promotes code reusability and method overriding.
Syntax:
class Parent {
// parent class members
class Child extends Parent {
// child class members
Example:
class Animal {
void sound() {
System.out.println("Animal makes a sound");
class Dog extends Animal {
void bark() {
System.out.println("Dog barks");
public class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {
Dog d = new Dog();
d.sound(); // Inherited from Animal
d.bark(); // Defined in Dog
Output:
Animal makes a sound
Dog barks
3. Data Types in Java
---------------------
In Java, data types specify the type of data a variable can hold. Java is a strongly-typed language,
meaning every
variable must be declared with a data type.
Java data types are mainly divided into two categories:
1. Primitive Data Types (built-in types):
- byte (1 byte): small integers - byte b = 10;
- short (2 bytes): larger integers - short s = 1000;
- int (4 bytes): default for integers - int x = 500;
- long (8 bytes): very large integers - long l = 100000L;
- float (4 bytes): decimals (less precise) - float f = 5.5f;
- double (8 bytes): decimals (more precise) - double d = 10.99;
- char (2 bytes): single character - char c = 'A';
- boolean (1 bit): true/false - boolean flag = true;
2. Non-Primitive (Reference) Data Types:
These refer to objects and include:
- String
- Arrays
- Classes
- Interfaces
- Enums
Example:
String name = "Java";
int[] numbers = {1, 2, 3};
4. Constructor in Java
----------------------
A constructor in Java is a special method that is automatically called when an object is created.
It is used to initialize objects.
Key Features:
- Has the same name as the class.
- Has no return type, not even void.
- Can be default (no parameters) or parameterized (with parameters).
Example:
public class Person {
String name;
int age;
// Constructor
public Person(String n, int a) {
name = n;
age = a;
// Method to display information
void display() {
System.out.println("Name: " + name);
System.out.println("Age: " + age);
// Main method
public static void main(String[] args) {
Person p1 = new Person("Alice", 25); // Constructor is called here
p1.display();
Output:
Name: Alice
Age: 25
