CSC152 2006S, Class 4: Beginning Java (And Eclipse)

Admin:
* Sorry about Wednesday.
  * Increase allowed absences by one
* Today will be lecture and demo to prepare for Monday's lab.  
  Future goal is less lecture, more lab.
* Reminder: Book is optional. Copy in MathLAN.  
  + I'll make sure that one is put here
  + I'll buy your copies at the end of the semester for $5.00
* No written homework for Monday; may want to review intro Java reading
* Danny Zamora 

Overview:
* Unix Q's?
* Java history
* Eclipse demo
* Java basics

/A Biased History of the Java Programming Language/

* Java is a platform-indepdent, object-oriented, programming language
* Original design of Java was for embedded computers (in Cars, Toasters, etc.)
  * Need programs to be robust
  * Need to support large-scale program development
* Nothing existing meets our needs - Design our own
* Object-orienteation supports large-scale program development
* Mistrusting programmers leads to more robust programs
* Java as "programming language for the Web" led to initial success
* Marketing, C-like syntax and decent OOP model led to continuing successk

/Developing Java Programs/

* Configure your environment to use Eclipse
* Set up directories for
  * Project
  * Package

Three parts to a main method
* Variable declarations - List the variables you will use in the program
  * A variable is a symbol that represent values
  * The symbol can represent different values across time
  * Must also *type* the variable - Say what kinds of things they refer to
  * Form:
        TYPE NAME ;
  * E.g.,
        int x;
        java.io.PrintWriter pen;
* Instructions to assign values to the variables
  * Form
        NAME = EXPRESSION
  * Basic expressions
        "asdfasdfasdf" // A string
        new NameOfClass(Parameters) // a new object in a particular class
        TeachingAssistant victim;
        victim = new TeachingAssistant("Eryn", "O'Neil", "Surly", "Casual");
* Requests to the invidivudal objects