Module 1: Introduction to Java

Lesson 1.1: What is Java?

Objective: Understand the basics of Java, its features, and its uses.

• What is Java?

  • Java is an object-oriented, class-based programming language that is designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible.

  • It is widely used for building web applications, Android apps, server-side applications, and more.

• Java’s Key Features:

  • Platform independence (Write Once, Run Anywhere)

  • Object-Oriented

  • Simple and easy to learn

  • Secure (offers features like bytecode verification)

  • Rich standard library

• Why Java?

  • Java is everywhere! It’s used in backend development, Android apps, cloud systems, big data tools, and more.

Lesson 1.2: Setting Up Your Java Development Environment

Objective: Install Java and set up an IDE to write Java code.

• Step 1: Install Java Development Kit (JDK)

  • Go to the Oracle JDK website

  • Download the JDK that matches your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).

  • Follow the installation instructions provided on the website.

• Step 2: Install an IDE

  • Recommended IDEs: IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, or Visual Studio Code.

  • Example for IntelliJ IDEA:

    • Download and install IntelliJ IDEA.

    • After installation, open IntelliJ IDEA and create a new project. Select Java as the project type.

    • Make sure to link the JDK during setup.

• Step 3: Write Your First Program

  • Open your IDE and create a new Java file, name it HelloWorld.java.

Write this simple code to print "Hello, World!" to the console:

public class HelloWorld {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        System.out.println("Hello, World!");

    }

}

• • Exercise: Run the program. You should see "Hello, World!" printed in the console.

Module 2: Basic Java Syntax

Lesson 2.1: Variables and Data Types

Objective: Learn how to use variables and understand different data types in Java.

• Variables and Data Types:

  • Variables store data, and each variable has a type that defines what kind of data it can hold.

  • Primitive Data Types:

    • int (integer values)

    • double (floating-point values)

    • char (single character)

    • boolean (true or false)

Example:

int age = 25;

double price = 19.99;

char grade = 'A';

boolean isJavaFun = true;

• Exercise: Declare variables for your name (String), age (int), height (double), and whether you like programming (boolean). Print them out using System.out.println().

Lesson 2.2: Operators in Java

Objective: Understand how to use operators for calculations and comparisons.

• Arithmetic Operators:

  • +, -, *, /, % (modulus)

Example:
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int sum = 5 + 3;  // sum = 8

int product = 4 * 2;  // product = 8

• Relational Operators:

==, !=, >, <, >=, <=

Example:

boolean isEqual = (5 == 5);  // true

boolean isGreater = (10 > 5);  // true

• Logical Operators:

  • && (AND), || (OR), ! (NOT)

Example:

boolean result = (5 > 3) && (8 > 6);  // true

• Exercise: Write a program to calculate the area of a rectangle and check if the result is greater than 100.

Lesson 2.3: Control Flow Statements

Objective: Learn how to control the flow of execution in a program.

• if, else if, else Statements:

  • Use conditions to control code flow.

Example:

int number = 10;

if (number > 5) {

    System.out.println("Number is greater than 5");

} else {

    System.out.println("Number is 5 or less");

}

• switch Statement:

  • Use when you have multiple options to check,

Example:

int day = 3;

switch (day) {

    case 1: System.out.println("Monday"); break;

    case 2: System.out.println("Tuesday"); break;

    default: System.out.println("Other day");

}

• Exercise: Create a program that asks the user for a number and checks if it's even or odd using if statements.

Module 3: Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) Basics

Lesson 3.1: Introduction to OOP Concepts

Objective: Understand the core principles of object-oriented programming.

• What is OOP?

  • OOP is a programming paradigm that uses objects and classes.

  • Key concepts:

    • Classes: Blueprints for objects.

    • Objects: Instances of classes.

    • Encapsulation: Hiding data inside a class and exposing methods to access it.

    • Inheritance: A class can inherit properties and methods from another class.

    • Polymorphism: Different classes can have methods with the same name but different implementations.

    • Abstraction: Hiding complex implementation details.

Lesson 3.2: Methods in Java

Objective: Learn how to create and use methods.

• Defining Methods:

  • Methods allow you to organize code into reusable blocks.

Example:

public class Calculator {

    public int add(int a, int b) {

        return a + b;

    }

}

• Calling Methods:

Example:

Calculator calc = new Calculator();

int sum = calc.add(5, 3);  // sum = 8

• Exercise: Create a method that takes two integers and returns their product.

Lesson 3.3: Constructors

Objective: Learn how constructors work in Java.

• What is a Constructor?

  • A constructor initializes an object when it is created.

Example:

public class Car {

    String model;

    int year;

    public Car(String model, int year) {

        this.model = model;

        this.year = year;

    }

}

• Exercise: Create a Person class with a constructor to initialize the name and age of a person.

Module 4: Working with Collections

Lesson 4.1: Arrays

Objective: Learn how to work with arrays in Java.

• Creating and Using Arrays:

  • Arrays store multiple values of the same type.

Example:

int[] numbers = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5};

System.out.println(numbers[0]);  // Output: 1

• Exercise: Create an array to store the names of your friends and print each one using a loop.

Lesson 4.2: ArrayLists

Objective: Learn how to use the ArrayList class.

• ArrayLists:

  • Dynamic arrays that can grow or shrink in size.

Example:

ArrayList<String> names = new ArrayList<>();

names.add("Alice");

names.add("Bob");

System.out.println(names.get(0));  // Output: Alice

• Exercise: Create an ArrayList of integers, add some values, and print them.

Module 5: Handling Errors

Lesson 5.1: Exception Handling

Objective: Understand how to handle errors in Java.

• What are Exceptions?

  • Exceptions are runtime errors that can be handled with try-catch blocks.

Example:

try {

    int result = 10 / 0;

} catch (ArithmeticException e) {

    System.out.println("Error: " + e.getMessage());

}

• Exercise: Write a program that prompts the user for a number and divides 100 by the number, handling division by zero.

Module 6: Java Project

Lesson 6.1: Building a Simple Java Project

Objective: Apply everything you’ve learned in a small project.

• Project Example: Basic Calculator

  • Create a simple calculator program that performs basic arithmetic operations based on user input.

Module 7: Final Thoughts and Next Steps

Lesson 7.1: Recap of What You Learned

Objective: Review key concepts and wrap up the course.

• Key Takeaways:

  • Java syntax, control flow, OOP concepts, methods, arrays, collections, error handling.

Lesson 7.2: What’s Next?

Objective: Provide resources for continued learning.

• Further Reading:

  • Websites like Oracle Java Documentation

• Next Learning Steps:

  • Dive into more advanced topics like GUI programming (JavaFX), multi-threading, and frameworks like Spring.